Animal Flow Foster Associate

Love animals? Want to spend your day surrounded by wagging tails and soft purrs?

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV), a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit, has been serving people and pets in Silicon Valley since 1929. Having facilitated more than half a million animal adoptions, HSSV is a leader in animal welfare through our lifesaving efforts, community programs, and the many ways we are working to move the animal welfare industry forward. Our mission is to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people.

We are a passionate, high-performing team who believes that collaboration is key to our success. Our best work is achieved by leveraging each other’s strengths and creating opportunities for professional growth. Join a team that focuses on our key values of kindness, courage, and impact!

The Animal Flow Foster Associate supports both the rescue and foster programs within the HSSV Logistics Department. In this hands‑on role, this individual is responsible for supporting foster families and foster animals in their path through HSSV to adoption which requires strong communication and multitasking skills. Additionally, the position assists with the coordination, support, and execution of weekly rescue transports with our shelter partners, as well as matching and placing animals in need of foster care in suitable homes in a timely manner.

• Evaluate animals for placement in foster care and choose suitable foster homes for them. Spend hands‑on time with animals of all sizes in order to get to know them for effective matchmaking.
• Build strong relationships with foster parents by promptly answering questions, educating, and arranging veterinary appointments or behavior consultations as needed.
• Work closely with Medical and Behavior staff to ensure the greatest level of health and comfort for animals in foster care.
• Schedule foster care animals for pick‑up/transport, vaccines, spay or neuter and return to the shelter and provide foster volunteers with necessary forms, supplies, medications, and follow‑up communications.
• Partner with Rescue and Animal Movement Program Manager to assist in scheduling and planning rescue runs with partner shelters.
• Support animal transports by cleaning rescue vehicles and crates on a regular basis, transferring information into Shelter Buddy and preparing incoming paperwork for HSSV teams that aid in processing and placement of incoming animals – including uploading behavior evaluation, medical history, and adding photos for animals being transferred to HSSV.
• Participate as a driver or passenger on long and short transports; these could be approximately 1‑4 hours one way. Number of transports per week varies based on capacity; can be 0‑4+ a week, depending on HSSV needs.
• Conduct dog‑to‑dog introductions for dogs of all sizes including those over 40 lbs. (for assessing dogs at partner shelters or matchmaking for foster families with resident dogs).
• Load and unload animals from vehicles as transports arrive for triage, foster, medical, and other areas.
• Coordinate available space to receive animals being transferred in or returning from foster. Work with rescue run volunteers to assist with animal flow from transports into housing within HSSV.
• Extensive moving of animals of all sizes throughout the day for rescue and foster purposes; move animals through FAVS which is on the other side of the facility and thus requires getting animals ready and walking them in carriers (at times) to the needed location.
• Administer vaccines to animals and provide guidance and support to volunteers assisting with the vaccination process.
• Assist with events that require coordination and engagement with foster parents or the promotion of the Rescue and Foster programs within the community.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Programs team to conduct Foster Care Orientations and assist with the ongoing education and questions from foster parents.
• Maintain Shelter Buddy and Vetter records for all foster and rescue animals and assist with reporting weekly/monthly statistics and other reports.
• Other job duties may be assigned as needed.