Animal rescue directors help find homes for abandoned pets.
Animal rescue directors coordinate and oversee the daily operations of animal rescue and shelter organizations. They conduct community outreach and manage rescue and shelter employees. They strive to find as many homes as possible for the animals in their care, and they often have experience in the field, although this is not always the case. In addition to having a strong love of animals, directors are skilled in managing a nonprofit organization.
Industry Experience
Some employers want their animal rescue directors to have experience working with animals in a shelter or rescue environment. Their experience can be invaluable in understanding the intricacies of providing care for animals and finding new homes for them. Their skills in dealing with euthanasia and investigating cruelty to animals are also invaluable. Those who do not have such experience, however, can also work as directors. They typically can learn manage an animal rescue and shelter facility rather quickly, according to the No-Kill Advocacy Center.
Education
Some employers may require only a high school diploma and experience working in a shelter or rescue facility to manage such an organization. Often, however, a college degree helps a candidate stand apart from those who do not have a degree. A degree in business administration or in an animal-related field can help a candidate land a position as an animal rescue director.
Management
While it may be necessary for some rescue directors to have experience working with animals or shelter management experience, it is also important that directors have a foundational understanding of management. Their experience may come from other industries, but skills in supervising employees, planning, hiring and managing are transferable to the rescue and shelter environment. Skills in organizing resources and directing and controlling work are also applicable.
Public Relations and Budgeting
Those who don't have experience working in animal rescue or shelter environments can bring a fresh perspective to the organizations for which they work. They can provide new initiatives and ways of engaging the local community and the wider public in the rescue center or shelter's work. Promoting the rescue or shelter facility to gain community support and donations is crucial to finding foster and adoptive homes for animals. Compassion for the animals in their care is crucial and can help garner financial donors and volunteers.
Animal rescue directors are also skilled in budgeting. They must provide the best care possible to the animals in their facilities with limited financial resources. They may also have to present budget reports to boards of directors and make cuts when necessary.
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