Shelter and Foster Coordinator

Who we are:

Flatbush Cats is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to reduce overcrowded animal shelters in New York City and prevent more cats from ending up on the street in the first place. What began as a grassroots rescue effort has grown into a citywide organization addressing the root causes through affordable veterinary care, access to spay/neuter services, and community outreach.

At the heart of our work is Flatbush Veterinary Clinic, a high-volume nonprofit clinic serving low-income pet owners, rescue organizations, and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) volunteers throughout Brooklyn. Each year, the clinic performs more than 7,500 spay/neuter surgeries—a number that continues to grow—while providing affordable wellness and dental care to thousands of pets.

By combining high-quality veterinary care with a commitment to accessibility, we're helping keep pets with their families while creating a city where more people and pets can receive the support they need.

What you’ll do:

As a Shelter and Foster Coordinator, you will coordinate the daily care, safety, and movement of cats in the Flatbush Cats holding space as well as support Flatbush Cats' vast foster network with needs of cats while in care. You will ensure that cats receive consistent care, medical and behavioral concerns are documented and escalated promptly, transportation needs are met, records and supplies remain organized, and fosters and volunteers receive clear, timely communication. 

This hands-on role is ideal for someone who is dependable, observant, organized, calm under pressure, and committed to compassionate animal care.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position working four 10-hour shifts per week. Two schedules are currently available:

  • Sunday–Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

  • Wednesday–Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

The schedule includes weekends, evenings, and holidays, unless time off has been approved in advance, based on animal-care and transportation needs.

Reliability and flexibility are essential. Animal-care and transportation needs may change with limited notice, and staff are expected to adjust their schedules as needed to support the animals and the team.

What you’ll get: 

Compensation 

  • The hiring range is $30-35 per hour, based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums

  • Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) fully funded to cover the plan deductible

  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with optional employee enrollment

  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match: 100% of the first 3% of employee contributions and 50% of contributions from 3% to 5%

  • Transit and parking benefit: $60 monthly employer contribution

  • Paid time off

  • Paid sick time

  • Paid holidays

Responsibilities

Shelter Coordination

  • Provide daily care for cats in the holding space, including feeding, refreshing water, cleaning enclosures and shared areas, changing litter, and providing enrichment.

  • Observe and document each cat's appetite, behavior, mobility, and overall condition during every shift, and communicate urgent medical or behavioral concerns to the appropriate staff member or veterinary contact.

  • Follow care plans, medication instructions, sanitation protocols, and isolation procedures as directed, and ensure medications are administered correctly, flagging any discrepancies to the appropriate staff member.

  • Track and report on shelter compliance requirements for the holding space, including animal exercise needs, and regularly measure decibel and ammonia levels.

  • Maintain and monitor holding space inventory, including food, litter, toys, carriers, traps, cleaning products, and other supplies; organize storage areas, report replenishment needs, and keep supplies ready to go by assembling carriers and creating new dewormer packs as needed.

  • Transfer cats from traps to kennels when intake is open, following safe and low-stress handling protocols.

  • Track which cats are scheduled to go upstairs to Flatbush Vet for S/N surgery and which cats are being released, noting friendly and not-friendly status for each.

  • Assess the behavior of cats in holding to help determine their suitability for rescue, and partner with the Foster and Adoption Manager to publish foster listings for cats accepted into the rescue.

  • Partner with holding space volunteers on daily care and supervise them as needed.

  • Maintain clear and current care logs, inventory records, incident notes, and handoff information; ensure medical records are accurately reflected in the portal.

  • Perform other duties that support safe shelter operations and Flatbush Cats' mission.

Foster & Adoption Operations

  • Partner with foster captains and foster coordinator team to prepare cats and supplies for foster placement, and help coordinate logistics for foster takeovers, appointments, and adoption related activities.

  • Act as the liaison between foster volunteers and the medical team for any medical related requests and follow ups.

  • Place shipments to fosters who require FBC assistance with food, litter, special diets and/or medications.

  • Partner with the Client Service Representatives to schedule foster medical appointments as needed.

  • Transport cats, supplies, and equipment as needed to and from veterinary appointments, foster homes, adoption events, or other approved locations; ensure cats travel in secure, clean carriers with the correct records and supplies.

  • Facilitate adoption meet & greet calls as needed.

Qualifications

  • Medical experience working in shelter or foster programs is preferred (Veterinary Assistant or Unlicensed Veterinary Technician encouraged).

  • Experience caring for cats in a shelter, rescue, veterinary, boarding, foster, or similar setting is preferred. 

  • Strong observational skills and the ability to recognize and report changes in an animal’s condition.

  • Clear, compassionate written and verbal communication.

  • Strong problem solving skills, with the ability to work effectively with volunteers and communicate clearly with them. This role is the face of shelter operations to our volunteers, who are a core part of how the work gets done

  • Excellent organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.

  • Ability to work independently, prioritize competing needs, and collaborate with staff, fosters, and volunteers.

  • Comfort handling cats with a range of medical and behavioral needs using humane, low-stress practices.

  • Ability to use email, messaging, shared calendars, and digital recordkeeping tools.

  • A valid driver’s license and safe driving record are required. 

Physical and Working Requirements

  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and perform cleaning and animal-care tasks for extended periods during a 10-hour shift.

  • Ability to safely lift and carry cats in carriers and move supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

  • Comfort working around animal dander, litter, cleaning products, odors, and occasional noise.

  • Ability to follow safety protocols and respond appropriately to bites, scratches, escapes, spills, or other incidents. Ability to follow safety standards while driving company vehicles.