Cattery Assistant Great Dog Products for Great People Hopkinton, MA Job Details Part-time From $15 an hour 7 hours ago Benefits Opportunities for advancement Flexible schedule Qualifications Cat care Cat grooming Vacuuming Attention to detail Waste removal Full Job Description Rarity Ragdolls is looking for a dependable, detail-oriented Cattery Assistant to help with the daily care of our Ragdoll cats and kittens. We are a small, in-home breeding program, so this is a hands-on position working directly in the environment where our cats and kittens are raised. This is a good position for someone who genuinely enjoys animals and takes pride in caring for them well. There will certainly be time spent handling, playing with, grooming, and socializing kittens, but a significant portion of the job is cleaning. Litter boxes, floors, dishes, laundry, food, water, and sanitation are all part of keeping animals healthy and comfortable. We are looking for someone who notices the little things. A cat not finishing breakfast, a kitten with softer stool than usual, a change in behavior, or a water fountain that isn't working properly may seem minor, but those observations matter in a breeding environment. Previous professional animal-care experience is helpful, but it is not required. We would rather train someone who is dependable and pays attention than hire someone with experience who cuts corners. Responsibilities Feed cats and kittens according to established feeding routines Refresh water and clean water fountains and bowls Scoop, clean, and completely change litter boxes as needed Clean and sanitize cat rooms, kitten areas, carriers, and animal-care equipment Vacuum and mop floors and help keep cat hair under control Wash food dishes and other animal-care equipment Keep up with cattery laundry, including bedding, towels, blankets, and cleaning cloths Handle, play with, and socialize kittens Assist with basic grooming, including brushing and nail trims Observe cats and kittens for changes in appetite, stool, behavior, activity level, or general condition and report anything unusual Weigh kittens and record information when requested Restock food, litter, cleaning products, and other supplies Prepare carriers and supplies for veterinary appointments when needed Follow established cleaning, sanitation, animal-handling, and biosecurity procedures Help with other routine cattery tasks as needed What We're Looking For A good fit for this position is someone who: Is dependable and shows up when scheduled Has excellent attention to detail Is gentle, patient, and comfortable around cats and kittens Can work independently once trained Can follow written and verbal instructions consistently Is comfortable asking questions when unsure rather than guessing Notices and reports changes in an animal's normal behavior or condition Does not mind repetitive cleaning or dealing with litter boxes, urine, feces, vomit, and the other realities of animal care Can safely bend, kneel, reach, carry supplies, and perform routine cleaning throughout a four-hour shift Is trustworthy and respectful of the privacy that comes with working in an in-home business Previous experience with cats, animal care, veterinary care, pet sitting, rescue, grooming, or similar work is a plus, but we are willing to train the right person. Animal Allergies and Dogs in the Home This position involves significant daily exposure to cats, cat hair, litter, and animal dander. Although this is primarily a cat-care position, dogs are also present in the home. Applicants should be comfortable working in an environment with both cat and dog hair and dander. If you have known cat or dog allergies, please carefully consider whether you can comfortably work for several hours in this environment before applying. Schedule This is a part-time position averaging approximately 12-16 hours per week , generally spread across 3-4 days , with shifts of approximately 4 hours . We are flexible about which days and what time of day the work is performed. This can make the position a good fit around school, another part-time job, or other regular commitments. Availability for one weekend day each week is required. Because animals require care every day, reliability is especially important. Once a regular schedule is established, we need to be able to count on you to be here for your scheduled shifts. Opportunity to Advance into Nursery Care For the right person, there is an opportunity to advance beyond routine cattery care. After demonstrating excellent reliability, attention to detail, animal-handling skills, judgment, and consistent adherence to our care protocols, a Cattery Assistant may be offered additional training as a Nursery Attendant . Nursery Attendants assist with the more specialized care and monitoring of pregnant and nursing queens and newborn kittens. Because newborn care carries significantly more responsibility, these duties are not assigned to a new employee immediately. Nursery responsibilities are earned through demonstrated competence in routine cattery care followed by additional training. Advancement to Nursery Attendant comes with an increase in pay. The Reality of the Job If your primary reason for applying is that you want to play with kittens, this probably isn't the right position. Kitten handling and socialization are absolutely part of the job, and there are plenty of enjoyable moments. But good animal husbandry involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. On some days, the cats may need you to spend more time washing litter boxes than cuddling kittens. The cleaning, feeding, observation, laundry, and routine work aren't chores that get in the way of caring for the animals. They are a major part of caring for them. For someone who enjoys animals, likes working independently, notices details, and takes satisfaction in leaving an animal space exceptionally clean and well cared for, this can be a very rewarding position. Starting pay is $15/hour, with an opportunity for increased pay and responsibility through advancement into the Nursery Attendant role.

Pay:

From $15.00 per hour Expected hours: 12.0 - 16.0 per week

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Application Question(s): This position is 3-4 days per week, approximately 4 hours per shift, and requires availability for one weekend day each week. Days and start times are otherwise flexible. Does this schedule work for you? This position involves several hours of daily exposure to cats, cat hair, litter, and dander. Dogs are also present in the home. Are you comfortable working in this environment? A significant portion of this job involves cleaning, including litter boxes, urine, feces, vomit, dishes, floors, and animal bedding. Are you comfortable performing these tasks routinely? Do you have reliable transportation to Hopkinton, Massachusetts for your scheduled shifts? Tell us briefly about any experience you have caring for cats or other animals. This can include professional experience, pet sitting, rescue/foster work, volunteering, or caring for your own animals. Imagine you are feeding the cats and notice that one cat who normally comes immediately for food stays across the room and doesn't eat. What would you do?

Work Location:

In person