Animal jobs in Nova Scotia

Job Type: Full-time – Contract

Location: 298 Hardscratch Rd, Yarmouth

Start date: July 2, 2026

Compensation: $17.00/Hour

Contract Duration: 8 weeks – possibility of extension based on organizational needs

The Summer Receptionist & Animal Care Attendant plays a vital role in supporting the Nova Scotia SPCA during our busiest shelter season. This individual participates in the day-to-day animal care and operational practices of an Animal Shelter, ensuring compliance with the Society’s animal care standards.

Responsibilities

This position works to ensure all animals in the care of the Nova Scotia SPCA have nutritional, housing, grooming and medical needs met on a daily basis, according to approved processes. Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary facility for animals and people and providing humane handling and care for shelter animals.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for all duties related to the care of animals (ex: cleaning of the holding areas, assuring that animals receive food and water, bathing and basic grooming, cleaning animal dishes, doing shelter laundry, etc).
• Providing humane handling and restraining techniques.
• Observing animals for signs of illnesses or injuries and reports symptoms to the appropriate personnel.
• Assisting with restraining animals, grooming, health checks, flea treatments and administering parasite control and medications.
• Performing requested tasks for shelter maintenance. This may include lawn and garden work, deep-cleaning duties, organizing storage areas, and other regular upkeep and maintenance duties.
• Cleaning all equipment and work areas to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation by following health and safety regulations and protocols.
• Maintaining accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures and behaviour history.
• Providing excellent customer service, handling phone calls, provide rescue and adoption information.
• Performing a wide range of administrative and clerical duties and working well with low supervision.
• Maintaining positive interactions with the public, staff and volunteers in a fast paced, sometimes hectic and noisy environment while remaining kind, calm, resourceful and efficient.
• Assisting members of the public in person, over the phone and via email communication.
• Completing other duties as required.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Due to funding through Canada Summer Jobs, the successful candidate must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age and Canada citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Applicants must be extremely dependable, with flexible availability. Weekends will be part of the regular weekly schedule, and some evenings may also be required.
• This position requires staff walk and/or stand on their feet throughout a normal workday.
• This position requires staff to reach/stretch overhead, work from a crouched/kneeling position, and to safely use a step ladder when required.
• This positions requires lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds on a regular basis.
• Working conditions include, but are not limited to: working alone, working outside in varying weather conditions, frequent interruptions, and some meetings.
• Employee must demonstrate ability to work effectively with others (including co-workers, customers, volunteers and others) by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; and addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.

It would be an asset to have:

• Demonstrate animal control knowledge, including proper restraining techniques.
• Knowledge of animal behaviours, and basic obedience training methods.
• Ability to identify species, breeds, age and sex of animals.
• Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, diseases and injuries.
• Ability to identify different medications and methods of administration.
• Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.

Nova Scotia SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. SPCA provides a competitive salary and a rewarding work environment. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. We encourage applicants to self-identify.

Interested applicants are asked to submit their resume and cover letter to resumes@spcans.ca. As long as this job description remains posted it is an indication that the position has not been filled and we are still accepting resumes.

Please quote “SPCA Yarmouth – Summer” in the subject heading in your email reply.

As a part of our hiring process, we require applicants to complete behavioural and cognitive assessments. You will be sent the links along with screening questions after submitting your resume.

We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at the Nova Scotia SPCA, however, only those selected for screening will be contacted.