Position: Adoption Administrator
Department: Placement / Adoptions
Reports To: Adoptions Supervisor
Location: 1251 Fulton Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
Summary:
LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.
The Adoption Administrator is responsible for counseling the public about potential pets for
adoption, reviewing adoption applications submitted by the public based on written guidelines,
receiving adoption fees, and updating the software system with information necessary to complete
the adoption.
Essential Job Functions:
This represents a list of essential job duties. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.
Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:
Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous --
Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity
Administrative and Record-Keeping:
- Perform data entry tasks accurately and maintain up-to-date records of animals, clients, and inquiries using our shelter management system.
- Process adoption paperwork and ensure all protocols are followed.
- Field incoming phone calls and emails to the adoptions team and appropriately redirect inquiries meant for other departments.
- Schedule adoption pickups.
- Be exceptional stewards by handling adoption fees and performing cash box closing for the adoption cash box.
Adoption Counseling and Customer Service:
- Ensure an adopter has a thorough understanding of any known medical and behavioral knowledge associated with their new pet.
- Walk adopters through the administrative aspect of the adoption process, explaining the flow of operations and answering their questions along the way.
- Courageously, assist with handing off adopted pets to their new families and provide information on our partnership programs.
- Take responsibility for providing post-adoption support.
General Responsibilities:
- Support saving the lives of animals by maintaining clear, strong communication with the clinic team to ensure all medical needs of an adoptive pet are met prior to departure.
- Prepare the adoption surgery schedule and any related administrative prep work.
- Maintain a general understanding of all shelter operations, including animal care, adoption policies, volunteer opportunities, foster programs and any other operational processes.
- Stay informed about current animals in the shelter, including their needs, personalities, and status.
- Collaborate with other shelter staff to address any issues or concerns that arise.
- Compassionately, welcome visitors with a friendly and professional demeanor.
- Respect, embrace, and celebrate diversity by always operating with a judgement-free mindset and consider our Adopters Welcome policy when greeting and working with visitors.
- Help build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the placement teams.
- Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
- Maintain a clean and tidy work area.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
- Passion for animal welfare and a strong understanding of animal care and adoption processes.
- Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
- Proficiency in basic computer applications (e.g., MS Office, email) and experience with database systems is a plus.
- Familiarity with Google Workspace applications, specifically google sheets.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
- Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
- Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
- Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments to ensure efficient shelter operations.
- Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain composed under pressure.
- Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.
- Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
- Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
- Must pass a background check.
Education and/or Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent; college degree or relevant coursework preferred.
18 years or older.
One or more years’ experience in animal related field or animal sheltering preferred.
Previous experience in customer service, hospitality, or a similar role is highly desirable.
Fear Free Sheltering preferred.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.
Skills Required
- High school diploma or equivalent
- At least 18 years old
- Compassion for animals and the people who care for them
- Strong understanding of animal care and adoption processes
- Excellent customer service skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
- Basic computer application proficiency
- Familiarity with Google Workspace and Google Sheets
- Ability to stand, bend, and reach for extended periods
- Comfort working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments
- Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations professionally
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts
- Reliable means of transportation for prompt arrival
- Successful completion of a background check
- One or more years of animal-related or animal sheltering experience
- College degree or relevant coursework
- Previous customer service, hospitality, or similar experience
- Fear Free Sheltering experience or knowledge
What We Do
At LifeLine Animal Project, we don’t just run shelters — we’re saving lives. Our mission from day one has been simple: to end the shelter euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in Atlanta. Founded in 2002, LifeLine has continued to grow, both in achievements and team size, pushing past outdated sheltering models to create community-first solutions that uplift both people and pets. As the largest animal welfare organization in Georgia, and the nonprofit managing both Fulton and DeKalb County Animal Services, we care for over 45,000 animals each year through our shelters, field services, clinics, and outreach programs. This requires a large team of innovative and compassionate individuals who work alongside volunteers, foster parents, and community partners to drive lifesaving outcomes. We need caretakers, change makers, forward thinkers, people persons, and, above all, animal lovers. Our work is complex, rewarding and, at times, difficult— but it’s powerful, meaningful, and possible because of the extraordinary people who join us. Are you IN?
