Adoption Specialist (a.k.a. Matchmaker Extraordinaire

Job Description

Adoption Specialist (a.k.a. Matchmaker Extraordinaire)

At Homeward Bound, we’re all about finding exceptional homes for our fabulous felines. We believe every cat deserves love, catnip, and a cozy windowsill. And we believe every human deserves the joy (and occasional sass) that only a cat can provide. Our Adoption Specialists are responsible for facilitating cat adoptions and surrenders while providing outstanding customer service to the public—in person, on the phone, or via email.

The goal is to create positive adoption experiences, find excellent homes for cats, and be part of encouraging a fun environment for everyone who stops by! We want every guest to leave saying, “Wow! That place is awesome-sauce!”

We’re looking for a friendly, outgoing, cat-loving human who can juggle multiple tasks, is a whizz at picking up where they left off after being interrupted, chat up potential adopters, donors, and volunteers, and handle the occasional fur on their clothes like a badge of honor. You’ll be helping our cats find homes, intaking cats into the Adoption Center, entering a large amount of paperwork into our software program, and training volunteers—plus, so much more!

Do you sometimes think “Man! I even impress myself with how well I handled that!”? If so, read on, you may be our purr-fect match.

• Be the welcoming committee. Actively greet and assist visitors, have open conversations with prospective adopters to identify their needs, and match them with appropriate cats.
• Chat with adopters about cat care, behavior, and why cats are the superior pet (okay, maybe leave that last part implied), answer questions, and follow up once their new family member has settled in.
• Guide adopters through the full adoption process, including application review, interviewing, decision‑making, and follow‑up after placement.
• Share information about cat care and behavior to ensure successful adoptions.
• Get to know the residents. Spend time (when required tasks are complete) with our cats so you can share their quirks. (Yes, Regina George really does keep a Burn Book to spread gossip about other cats in the Center).
• Being incredibly observant and noticing slight changes to monitor cat health and behavior. Always keeping an eye out, like a stealthy cat detective.
• A knack for asking the right questions while genuinely connecting with people to gather lifestyle information in order to best inform them on how to successfully bring home a new pet. Think Investigator meets Educator of all things cats
• The confidence to say “no” with compassion. Setting boundaries firmly but kindly when needed.
• Intaking cats who are being relinquished by their owners or were found as strays, while using sound judgement on what constitutes and emergency.
• Office tasks such as responding to emails, answering phones and taking detailed messages, diligent data entry, scanning and more.
• Cleaning up a bit of cat–tastrophe? You’re on it! Regular cleaning will be a part of your day.
• A talent for keeping your cool and staying kind, even when what’s in the litterbox hits the fan.
• Work with, train, and assist volunteers and foster parents. They’re cat heroes too!
• Sharing adoption photographs and positive stories with the Marketing team.
• Did we mention providing high‑quality customer service at all times? In case you missed it, providing a top‑notch experience for every guest is one of our highest priorities. We want everyone to adopt, donate, and volunteer, plus tell everyone they know how wonderful we are!
• Comfort and ability to work with cats of unknown temperament or those with medical or behavioral challenges.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Treat everyone—cats and humans—with kindness and a caring attitude.
• Accurately process donations and program services payments.
• Working courteously and cooperatively with other staff members and volunteers.
• Filling in for other areas and performing other tasks/functions as needed.

• People Person:
  You’re friendly, patient, and know how to charm both cats and their humans. You're outgoing, personable, and…