A dog adoption counselor helps match adoptive owners with the right dog.
Dogs available for adoption from shelters undergo a temperament evaluation to determine the type of home they will fit into well. A temperament evaluation coordinator (TEC) conducts the evaluation, although the name of the position may differ among shelters. The shelter's dog adoption counselor meets with potential new owners to find out what their needs are and to try matching them with the right dog. The same person may perform the two roles, but the responsibilities and the remuneration are quite different from each other.
Working as a Temperament Evaluation Coordinator
A June 2011 job description for a dog adoption and temperament evaluation coordinator with the Nevada Humane Society states that the coordinator's main duties will be performing behavior evaluations on dogs, planning and implementing enrichment, training and rehabilitation as well as behavior modification programs.
A similar role, designated as a training and enrichment coordinator, states that the incumbent must hold a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) certification, and have experience in animal behavior, behavior modification, enrichment and training.
What the TEC Does
The TEC tests the dogs' attitudes toward people and especially toward young children, as well as other pets, and evaluates the animals' behavior in various situations such as feeding time. This helps to establish whether the dogs have any potential problems that may affect their settling into a home in which they are placed.
Average TEC Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not list temperament evaluation coordinator as an occupation. The average salary for this position can be partway along the scale between that of an animal care worker and an animal behaviorist. The TEC is not as highly qualified as a behaviorist, but requires more education and experience than a regular animal care worker, who in some cases is a person who cleans animal cages in a shelter. An animal behaviorist can earn approximately $90,000 a year, according to Michael Hutchins, Ph.D., of the American Zoological Association.
Working as a Dog Adoption Counselor
A June 2011 posting for a dog adoption counselor with the San Diego Humane Society summarizes the duties and responsibilities of the position as providing daily care and enrichment for shelter animals, providing general information to the public, conducting adoption interviews and giving out detailed information about adoptable animals. The counselor assists potential adopters to complete the adoption applications and contracts, and approves applications based on the society's adoption policies. No specific training is required for this position, although experience in working with animals is preferred.
Remuneration for Dog Adoption Counselor
The position advertised in San Diego is full-time and offers a wage of between $12 and $13 per hour. This calculates to a salary of around $25,000 per year. A Pinellas County Animal Services Adoption Program job description for a qualified adoption counselor lists the position as pay grade CL10, which indicates an annual salary range of $31,135 to $47,767, according to the Pinellas County Human Resources Unified Personnel System.
Tags: temperament evaluation, temperament evaluation coordinator, adoption counselor, animal behaviorist, animal care, animal care worker, Average Salary