Animal Care Steward

Red Door Animal Shelter

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Chicago, IL, us on site Until 8/21/2026 First posted March 26, 2025 Last posted March 26, 2025
Job description

Since the Middle Ages, a red door has been the symbol of a safe haven. This is what Red Door Animal Shelter provides for the animals in its care.  Red Door's mission is to promote respect for all animals through education, shelter, rehabilitation, and adoption.  We provide a no-kill, cageless environment for animals in our care and provide permanent, loving residence for those few animals who don't find their forever homes.  We are one of only five no-kill, multi-species shelters in the country that admits rabbits as well as cats and dogs, spays/neuters them and places them up for adoption.  We also regularly help rescue domestic chickens and ducks.

Every year, Red Door rescues and finds homes for hundreds of abused and abandoned animals. Red Door is a 501(c)(3) organization. We receive no federal, state, county or city money. We are funded by private donations and grants from private foundations.

 

Red Door houses cats, rabbits, and our occasional chicken & duck friends on-site at the shelter.  All dogs are kept in foster homes off-site.

An Animal Care Steward is responsible for the day-to-day care of the shelter animals and cleaning of the shelter, as defined by policies determined by the shelter’s manager and Board of Directors. Main job responsibilities es include cleaning animal areas, administering food and medications, and transporting animals to and from vet appointments.  All applicants must have an insured car and a valid driver’s license.  Given that we are a small organization with limited resources, we expect all animal care stewards to be courteous, helpful and respectful to fellow staff, volunteers, and visitors; have attention to detail; the ability to learn and adjust to procedure changes quickly; and good communication skills.

This is a full-time, paid position eligible for Health/Dental Benefits; Paid Holidays, Vacations, and Sick Leave; Casual Dress.

Job Functions
    Clean animal areas – including bedding, food/water bowls, and litter boxes
    Feed animals
    Administer medications
    Drive animals to and from vet appointments
    Unload and organize food and supply deliveries
    Laundry
    Keep the shelter clean and organized
    Clearly communicate questions and concerns to shelter management
    Provide guided tours to the public
    Answer questions from visitors and adopters
    Past experience with rabbits or other small, exotic mammals a plus

 




Requirements
    Insured car and a valid driver's license
    Prior experience working with animals in a professional setting
    Ability to work with public
    Ability to lift 50 lbs
    Live within reasonable driving distance


NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

 

Red Door Animal Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About this role

Summary

Care for shelter animals, clean facilities, administer medications, transport animals, and assist visitors.

Job title

Animal Care Steward

Experience level

prior experience with animals

Industry

animal shelter

Location requirements

Chicago, IL, remote work not allowed

Salary

Not specified

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

driver's licenseinsured caranimal handlingmedication administration

Preferred skills

experience with rabbitsexotic mammals

Specializations

small mammalsanimal careshelter
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Chicago, IL, USA

On-site City