Community Cat Coordinator 

Who We Are

ACC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters, whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC. We touch the lives of nearly 20,000 animals each year. ACC is more than an animal shelter; we are a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact. With a 90% placement rate, our progressive, life-saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of our animals. 

We strive to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations (our New Hope partners). We also help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need, responding to emergencies that involve animals as well as keeping our doors open 24/7 for people and animals in need.

Summary

New York City is home to an estimated half a million community cats across the five boroughs, ranging from fearful to social, including indoor/outdoor pets. While these cats adapt to outdoor life, the people who care for or encounter them often turn to the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) for guidance on coexistence. ACC prioritizes open communication, advocates for community cats both in and out of the shelter system, and seeks the best outcomes for every animal. For many community cats, this means preventing shelter intake through early intervention or returning them to their original caretakers when appropriate. By leveraging surrender prevention resources and placement options, ACC reduces shelter populations and increases lifesaving capacity.

The Community Cats Coordinator helps achieve our goals assisting with ACC’s Community Cats department by ensuring the smooth operation of our current protocols and driving the development of a more robust program that touches all five boroughs and includes communication with our community, Shelter/Neuter/Return (SNR) in conjunction with the cat’s caretaker, targeted TNR, and appropriate alternative placement for cats who cannot return to their outdoor homes.

Required Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• TNR certification and at least 3 months past experience trapping or caring for cats is required.
• Valid Driver's license and clean driving record required.
• Must be forward thinking and anticipate challenges, responding to them quickly and completely.
• Must be adaptable and receptive to rapidly evolving protocols.
• Treats animals and people with respect, considering all individuals as potential collaborators with something to offer.
• Must be able to list a minimum of 50lbs.

Benefits

ACC values work/life balance and offers a generous paid-time-off (PTO) package that includes vacation time, birthdays off, personal days and sick pay. We also value physical and mental health by offering a great open access Cigna medical, dental and vision insurance at a low premium to our employees as well as 401K and Pension, Life Insurance. We also have on-the-job training for 2-4 weeks, periodic all staff trainings to include safety, DEI, cross training, and other growth opportunities.  

Because ACC is a nonprofit, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF allows borrowers who work full time for nonprofits and government agencies to have their outstanding debt forgiven tax-free on Federal Direct Loans, after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Please use this link for more details on our benefits package.

Essential Job Functions:

• Coordinate and oversee TNR projects including driving to and from trapping sites and surgery drop off/pick up, trapping and returning cats to their habitats, and providing adequate housing, setup, and food/water for community cats after trapping and during surgical recovery periods.
• Provide education, guidance and surrender prevention resources to the public on community cats and coordinate intakes for SNR when appropriate.
• Manage high-volume email and phone inquiries, responding promptly. 

Other Responsibilities:

• Review intake reports to identify potential program cats.
• Update records with program participation, key details, and service timelines.
• Escalate appropriate surrender requests to Admissions.
• Partner with Admissions to reduce intake through client communication, including education on spay/neuter for kittens and nuisance concerns.
• Track and maintain basic program statistics.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Vet Services, Animal Care, Admissions) to meet program goals.
• Communicate clearly and efficiently with staff and stakeholders.
• Prepare and organize paperwork for surgery, placement, and transfer.
• Coordinate with partner organizations for community cat returns and working cat placements.
• Maintain inventory of program supplies.
• Work with Foster team to support extended-care cats and ensure proper housing and care.
• Ensure humane, clean, and well-maintained equipment (kennels, traps, dens, cages).
• Confirm program cats are properly identified within the care center.
• Handle cats using low-stress techniques; support staff training with Feline Behavior to reduce FAS.
• Communicate outcomes to finders and caretakers with empathy.
• Canvas TNR sites and build relationships with community members.
• Fear Free certification within30 days of hire.
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Environment

At Animal Care Centers it's all hands-on deck. We work together as a team, which means you may be asked to help with tasks that involve working outside in all sorts of weather. As a busy animal shelter in one of the biggest cities in the world it can get noisy inside. Employees should have the ability to remain calm yet professional in stressful situations involving animals and/or members of the public. Animal Care Centers houses hundreds of animals in its facilities at any given time and with that comes fur, odors and other airborne particles in abundance.

Animal Care Centers offers many low-cost services to pets and people in need. This includes compassionate end-of-life services for people who cannot afford to go to a private veterinary office but still want to provide a professional and peaceful transition for their beloved pet.

This position will initially train at our Queens Care Center prior to opening of our Bronx Care Center.  

Reports To: Community Cat Manager.

Overtime: This is a non-union position and is eligible for overtime.