Supervisor Lifesaving & Care (Kitten and Puppy Nursery)

Position Overview

The Supervisor of Lifesaving & Care for the Kitten and Puppy Nursery is responsible for managing daily lifesaving programs that include fostering and direct animal care at the Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles. This role involves leadership of staff and volunteers, ensuring top standards of animal care, operational efficiency, and customer service, while supporting the no-kill mission of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide day-to-day team functions including coaching, scheduling, hiring, onboarding, and training, enabling staff to perform at their best in alignment with the mission.
• Coordinate daily care activities such as supply management, animal intake, feeding, enrichment, transport, medication administration, and recordkeeping per established protocols.
• Make compassionate and well-considered end-of-life decisions and carry out euthanasia following ethical and organizational standards, including controlled substances administration and documentation.
• Collaborate across departments to monitor animal populations, assess capacity and needs, and implement strategies to boost placement and lifesaving outcomes.
• Support foster caregivers and volunteers with communication, medical follow-up, training, and resources, particularly during high-demand periods.
• Recruit, engage, and retain volunteers by creating meaningful roles and coordinating orientations and trainings.
• Represent the organization in media engagements when requested and provide excellent customer service to adopters, volunteers, and partners.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and compliant work environment while promoting continuous process improvement and accountability.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED; additional education related to animal welfare or leadership preferred.
• 1 to 3 years' leadership experience, including managing staff or volunteers and implementing programs.
• 1 to 2 years working in an animal welfare setting, preferably involving shelter medicine, foster care, or veterinary support.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience in training and group presentations being an advantage.
• Customer-focused, empathetic, and solution-oriented, capable of building positive relationships.
• Physical ability to handle and care for cats and dogs, including those with behavioral or medical challenges.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and open to learning shelter or animal management software.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to regularly lift up to 40 pounds and perform physically demanding tasks such as cleaning, bending, standing for long periods, and handling animals.
• Work performed indoors and outdoors under various weather conditions.
• Exposure to animals of different sizes, temperaments, and health conditions.
• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and rotating on-call duties with potential for after-hours emergency communication.

Cultural Commitment

The organization fosters an inclusive, compassionate, and transparent culture valuing diversity and teamwork. Employees are expected to uphold these values in their daily actions to support a respectful and effective workplace.

Salary & Application

The expected salary range is $70,304 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience. This is a full-time position located onsite in Los Angeles.

Contact Information

Please reach out to Teresa Carvajal, Talent Acquisition Partner, at 626-476-7905 or via email at teresa.carvajal@bestfriends.org for more details. The application closing date is September 15, 2026.