Animal Handler

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Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the St. Augustine Humane Society! We want every pet to have the chance to live happy, healthy lives with their loving families. Our programs and resources are designed to fight against the most common reasons pets are relinquished to shelters. By providing these lifesaving resources to the community, we are able to help reduce the need for animals to enter shelters, helping end needless euthanasia.

What is the Animal Handler position?

The Animal Handler is an important part of our Wellness Clinic. Because the rising cost of veterinary care is one of the main reasons pets are relinquished to shelters, our low-cost Wellness Clinic serves as a way for all pet parents to get the important medical attention their pet needs. Animal handlers assist pets from waiting areas to medical rooms, and securely and safely hold the pets while they are receiving veterinary care.

Do I have the qualifications needed to become an Animal Handler?

The best Animal Handlers are concerned for the wellbeing of animals and want to ensure that every pet stays with their loving families instead of being relinquished to an animal shelter. If you work effectively in a busy environment, have high situational awareness, and have experience working directly with animals in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, you will be an effective Animal Handler.

How much time must I commit as an Animal Handler?

Before volunteering, volunteers will attend a clinic orientation, then will be provided with on-the-job training with an experienced volunteer until they are able to perform the required tasks on their own. While training, volunteers should plan on being present for the whole day. Once training is complete, Animal Handlers are expected to volunteer at least four days a month. Volunteers may work morning or afternoon shifts as they are available. Volunteers are expected to arrive 15 minutes early for staff meetings and stay until their last client is served.

What are the responsibilities of the Animal Handler?

• Ability to lift pets of all sizes
• Ability to handle animals of all temperaments
• Must be able to take direction from the veterinary staff
• Good communication and listening skills
• High situational awareness
• Must sign Volunteer Agreement and Waiver prior to volunteering
• Must wear wine-colored scrubs and close-toed shoes (to be provided by volunteer)

Our mission. The St. Augustine Humane Society promotes healthy, responsible, lifelong pet ownership by serving the medical and rehabilitative needs of companion animals in our community. Our programs are designed to strengthen human-pet relationships and reduce the need for pets to enter shelters. Our goal is to ensure all pets have access to quality veterinary care, prevent overpopulation, and prevent animal suffering.

For more information, please visit www.staughumane.org.