Dog adoption counselors often screen adopters in person and may make home visits.
Dog adoption counselors' goal is to match a dog needing a permanent home with people who want to adopt a dog. This process varies among shelters, rescue groups and other organizations. Adoptable dogs live in shelters, no-kill rescues and in foster care, coordinated through rescue groups. The adoption process may be rigorous, but this is to assure that the best match is completed and the dog does not end up in the shelter again. Salaries for adoption counselors range widely depending on shelter type and funding.
Average Salary
Average salaries for dog adoption counselors range from zero, if the adoption counselor is a volunteer, to an average of about $40,000-44,000 for full-time managers, per Indeed as of February 2011. Though the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect data on adoption counselors, it suggests that salaries for the position range from $35,000 to $50,000. Factors that influence salary include experience, location, responsibilities and shelter or rescue funding source.
Work Environment
Dog adoption counselors usually work on-site at the shelter, screening prospective adopters and meeting the available dogs. They get to know the personalities of the dogs and observe them with other dogs and people. If the organization does not have an on-site shelter, the adoption counselor works off-site to coordinate the adoption process. Many dog adoption counselors begin fostering dogs or working as a shelter volunteers before moving into an adoption role.
Role of the Adoption Counselor
The dog adoption counselor plays an important role at the shelter. She supervises and observes the meeting between the available dog and potential owner. She also reviews the written application and checks references. She may also complete a home visit to the potential owner's house to note the surroundings and meet other dogs currently in the home. The ultimate goal of the dog adoption coordinator is to assure she is matching the right dog with the right owner. Seeing a dog placed in a permanent home and following up later to find a happy dog and owner is an intangible job benefit.
Required Skills
The primary skill necessary for a dog adoption counselor is knowledge of dog breeds and behaviors. She must understand the special needs and care of dogs who have suffered from abuse, neglect and life in a puppy mill. Adoption counselors minimally have a high school diploma and often have a college degree and prior experience working with dogs. She must also have strong customer service skills, training and administrative skills with the ability to manage volunteers. Typically the more experience you have, the higher your salary.
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