Manager, Animal Care & Well-Being

Job Summary

Are you passionate about advancing animal welfare and ready to lead with compassion, expertise, and purpose? We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring leader to join our team as Manager, Animal Care & Well-being — a pivotal role dedicated to ensuring the health, safety, and humane treatment of animals in our City’s care.

Reporting to the Manager, Animal Services, this position provides operational leadership and oversight for all animal care and veterinary health services across our sheltering facilities. This is an exciting opportunity to shape standards of care, mentor skilled professionals, and make a lasting impact on the lives of animals and the community we serve.

Duties and Responsibilities

As Manager, Animal Care & Well-being, you will lead the day-to-day operations of municipal animal shelter services, ensuring excellence in animal welfare and veterinary care. You will:

• Provide direct leadership and supervision to Supervisors, Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs), Animal Care Attendants, and Assistants.
• Foster a workplace culture rooted in accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and compassion.
• Respond to escalated situations involving sick, injured, or aggressive animals, urgent veterinary needs, or concerns regarding animal treatment.

• Coordinate veterinary care including intake exams, vaccinations, medical treatments, surgeries, and humane end-of-life decisions.
• Develop and implement protocols for feeding, sanitation, enrichment, behavioural assessment, medical care, biosecurity, and quarantine.
• Serve as the division’s subject matter expert on disease prevention, shelter capacity management, and animal housing standards.
• Lead emergency preparedness planning for disease outbreaks, mass intakes, and evacuations.

• Manage 24/7/365 shelter operations, including scheduling and shift coverage in compliance with collective agreements.
• Ensure facilities meet all applicable legislation, including Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act standards, municipal by-laws, and public health requirements.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Fleet, and Asset Management teams to maintain safe, secure, and functional shelter environments.
• Monitor and manage inventory and procurement of food, medications, supplies, PPE, and equipment.

• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to animal handling, infection control, and shelter cleaning.
• Track and report on key performance indicators such as live release rates, population trends, treatment outcomes, and euthanasia data.
• Contribute to annual budget development and oversee expenditures related to medical services and shelter operations.
• Partner with the Supervisor, Shelter, Licensing & Client Services to ensure seamless intake, adoption, and quarantine workflows.

Skills and Qualifications

You are a knowledgeable animal care professional and confident operational leader who thrives in a dynamic, service-focused environment.

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Animal Health, Veterinary Technology, Shelter Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in shelter animal care or veterinary services.
• At least 3-5 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Registration in good standing as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in Ontario is considered a strong asset.
• Strong knowledge of animal husbandry, veterinary procedures, shelter operations, and animal behaviour.
• Proven ability to lead teams within a 24/7 operational environment.
• Experience in a unionized workplace, including scheduling and performance management.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with shelter management software and inventory systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of care and compliance.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s License in good standing.
• A satisfactory criminal record check (required prior to employment).
  

   

  This is an opportunity to directly influence the well-being of hundreds of animals each year and to strengthen the standards of care across our community. You will shape policies, mentor dedicated professionals and ensure that every animal entrusted to our care receives compassion, dignity, and expert support.
  
  

  If you are ready to combine your leadership skills with your commitment to animal welfare, we invite you to join us in building a shelter environment that reflects excellence, innovation, and heart.