Description
Position Overview
The Adoption Associate creates pathways to new homes for the animals in our care. This position guides adopters through thoughtful, conversation-based matchmaking, supports foster and rescue placements, and delivers an exceptional client experience that turns every adoption into a lifelong relationship between a pet, a family, and the Louisiana SPCA. This role is often the public face of the organization and is central to our commitment to positive outcomes for every animal.
Key Responsibilities
Adoption Counseling and Matchmaking
- Welcomes prospective adopters, learns what they are looking for in a pet, and counsels them on choosing the appropriate animal for their household, lifestyle, and experience level
- Communicates each animal’s known history, behavior, medical status, and needs honestly and completely so adopters can make informed decisions
- Educates adopters on spay/neuter, humane pet ownership, basic behavior, and post-adoption resources, including follow-up support to keep newly adopted pets in their homes
- Completes all adoption paperwork, contracts, and data entry accurately and in a timely manner
- Conducts post-adoption follow-up and assists adopters experiencing challenges, connecting them with behavior resources before a return becomes necessary
Foster and Placement Support
- Assists in recruiting and matching foster caregivers with shelter animals needing temporary homes for socialization, enrichment, medical recovery, or a break from the shelter environment
- Prepares animals and paperwork for foster departures and returns, and communicates animal updates to the Foster and Pathway teams
- Supports rescue transfer and transport placements by ensuring animals meet documentation requirements and records are complete
- Shares adoptable animal information with the Advancement team to support media visibility and promotion efforts
Client Experience and Operations
- Provides exceptional customer service in person, by phone, and by email, working with a sense of priority and empathy in every interaction
- Counsels clients on services, programs, fees, and available resources offered by the Louisiana SPCA
- Supports off-site adoption events and community promotions as assigned
- Balances revenue at the end of each day and ensures all deposits are placed in the appropriate area
- Ensures all paperwork is organized, up to date, and located in the correct area
Success Criteria
- Adoptions are well matched, resulting in low return rates and high adopter satisfaction
- Clients consistently describe their experience as welcoming, knowledgeable, and judgment free
- Records and daily revenue reconciliation are accurate and complete
- Foster and rescue placements move efficiently with clear communication across teams
Organizational Expectations
- Treats all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance, and promotes a humane and caring attitude toward all animals
- Remains alert and aware of animal behavior and physical condition for client and employee safety; ensures animals are handled humanely and appropriately by clients, employees, and volunteers
- Supports teamwork across departments by being cooperative, flexible, and helpful
- Maintains confidentiality at all times
- Attends all training and animal handling classes available
- Contributes to the general appearance and upkeep of the interior and exterior lobby and public areas
- Takes inventory of assigned supplies and restocks as needed
