Kennel Supervisor

Job Description

Job Title: Kennel Supervisor

Line Manager: Animal Operations Manager (AOM)

Location: Mount Noddy Animal Centre, Eartham and other

Locations as and when required.

Hours: 37.5hrs (including weekend & evening rota)

Salary: £25,500pa

1. PURPOSE OF POST: Responsible for the allocation, conduct and standard of work within the kennels, including providing coaching, practical training and support to Animal Care Assistants (ACAs) and animal care volunteers. To assist the AOM with the day-to-day smooth and efficient running of the kennels to the highest standards of care, ensuring a clean, clutter free and safe environment is maintained at all times.

In the absence of the AOM and ACM the Supervisor will be responsible for the kennel staff and dogs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Allocation of daily kennel duties to Supervising the smooth running of the Kennels.

Provide training, guidance and support for all staff, animal care volunteers and work experience placements working in the kennels.

Day to day care of dogs, to include cleaning of accommodation, grooming, feeding, exercise and administration of medication as required adhering to the Branch’s policies and procedures.

Working alongside the AOM and Animal Welfare Officer to manage the intake of dogs from the branch welfare scheme, RSPCA networking.

Work closely with the AOM to allocate appropriate accommodation of animals on arrival.

Supervising the kennel team to ensure a high standard of cleanliness, in compliance with the Centre’s cleaning procedures to the animal accommodation; food preparation; laundry; storage; staff facilities including toilets; agility and enrichment paddocks and other outside areas and ensuring the kennel buildings and facilities are secure at all times.

To carry out health checks on animals, reporting any concerns to AOM or in their absence, Animal Centre Manager (ACM).

Coordinate the consulting veterinary surgeon’s weekly visits with respect to the examination and treatment of animals including ensuring that treatments and medications are administered in the prescribed quantity at the specified intervals. Book appointments for procedures in the kennel clinic and external sites for all dogs.

Support the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Advisor (ABWA) in the coordination of the dog foster scheme including carrying out home visits, matching dogs to foster home, liaising with foster carers and coordinating vet visits.

Stock check of drugs held in the kennels and ordering as required via the Vet Nurse.

Working closely with the ABWA to implement the Canine Behaviour Plan, canine enrichment and observe and report any behavioural changes of the animals to the ABWA or AOM.

Assist with carrying out on-going assessments for all dogs in the kennel under the direction of the ABWA or AOM.

Advise adopters allocated to you, on care and answer any queries and assist with the matching of dogs to adopters’ homes.

Carry out allocated, pre-adoption home visits and respond to post adoption queries.

To ensure animal records accurate and up to date on Shelter Manager and other systems, including admission, rehoming, behaviour, financial and veterinary information, ensuring the information is up-to-date and compliant with GDPR guidelines.

xvi. To provide case studies of the dogs in the kennels, photos of the dogs for use on our website and social media, ‘happy tails’ post adoption stories and written reports as and when requested by the AOM.

To regularly check the equipment and machinery in the kennels reporting any leaks or defects to the AOM.

Work to Centre protocols to maintain high standards of presentation throughout the kennels and other areas at the centre.

Participate in the cleaning rota of other areas of the Centre.

Provide reception cover and admin duties as required.

Be responsible for their own health and safety, reporting any incidents or accidents to the AOM.

To undertake any other duties required by the AOM or ACM which may include:

i. Driving animals to the vet.

ii. Assisting with education visits.

iii. Assisting with animal promotional initiatives.

iv. Fundraising events undertaken by the Centre

Please also note that in addition to this, Supervisors carry out the key tasks of an Animal Care Assistant.

While at work all staff are required to:

● Adhere to the Branch’s charitable objectives, which are to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals.

● To fully comply with RSPCA Sussex West Branch’s policies and procedures, ensuring these are carried out in relation to the post.

● To be an ambassador for the Branch and represent the Charity in a professional manner at all times.

● To attend monthly supervision with the AOM and annual appraisal with the ACM.

● Take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions.

● To carry out such additional tasks as directed by the AOM or ACM and undertake any other duties commensurate with the purpose and remit of the post.

This job description is intended as a summary of the main elements of the job described. They may be varied from time to time in consultation with the job holder without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From £25,500.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Chichester: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• A-Level or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• Animal care: 2 years (required)
• Supervisory: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person