We are currently accepting applications

🐾

We are currently accepting applications 🐾

Ready for your work to feel meaningful—apply to join the Companion Crew!

Companion Crew Member

$16/hr. | Full-Time or Part-Time | Oakdale, MN

This is not an entry-level position: Prior professional animal-care AND customer service experience required (dog daycare/boarding, veterinary clinic, animal shelter, animal control, or similar)

Our one-of-a-kind facility blends premium dog daycare and boarding services with a deep-rooted commitment to animal welfare, enrichment, and responsible care.

The Companion Animal Center is a dual purpose facility; providing small group size dog daycare, premium dog boarding and the home base of Companion Animal Care & Control—the largest animal control and impound provider serving municipalities across Minnesota and Wisconsin—we care for dogs & cats in under legal holds every day, providing safety, structure, and compassion when it matters most. This dual role sets us apart: we serve both animals who have loving homes and animals who find themselves without a loving home of their own, all under one roof, with the same high standard of care.

We are more than a dog daycare. We are a purpose-driven team of animal care takers, animal control officers, animal control transporters and experienced animal welfare professionals working together to support dogs at every stage of their journey.

At the Companion Animal Center, your work matters.

Our brand-new, purpose-built facility supports both public pet care and animal welfare services, with thousands of animals moving through our doors each year. This is a client-facing role for experienced professionals who can seamlessly move between front desk responsibilities and hands-on animal care in a fast-paced, structured environment.

What You’ll Do (please note—this role does not involve animal control field services)

  • No two days are the same. This role requires flexibility, strong initiative, and the ability to independently identify and prioritize work as needs shift throughout the day.

  • Greet and assist clients with confidence, empathy, and professionalism

  • Manage check-ins, check-outs, scheduling questions, and service explanations

  • Communicate clearly with pet parents, law enforcement officers, and placement partners

  • Support daycare, boarding, and impound operations

  • Prepare daily animal health rounds, report cards and client updates

  • Maintain high standards for cleanliness, safety, and documentation

  • Monitor animal behavior and escalate concerns appropriately

Who We’re Looking For

  • Minimum of 2 years hands-on experience in animal care (shelter, vet clinic, daycare/boarding, animal control, or similar)

  • Must be able to retain detailed protocols, work on a small team and thrive with independent work requiring initiative throughout the day

  • Strong front desk or client-facing experience within an animal care setting

  • Comfortable explaining policies, handling sensitive conversations, and setting expectations

  • Thrives in a structured, fast-paced environment with accountability

  • Confident working with stressed, fearful, or animals in need of intensive care

  • Calm, reliable, detail-oriented, and professional under high levels of pressure

Physical & Work Environment

  • Ability to lift up to 60 lbs and handle dogs of all sizes

  • Comfortable with noise, cleaning, and animal bodily fluids

  • Standing, walking, bending, and multitasking throughout the shift

  • Indoor and outdoor work in all Minnesota weather

Why Work With Us

  • Free daycare for your dog on workdays

  • Free annual vaccinations for your dog ( after 1 year of work)

  • Training and continuing education

  • Commission opportunities

  • Sick leave

  • Employee discount on retail

  • Staff snacks and team appreciation events

  • Meaningful work in a mission-driven organization

Schedule Expectations

  • Facility hours: 6:30am–6:30pm (Mon–Fri); Sat & Sun 7–12pm & 5–7pm

  • Weekend and holiday availability required

  • Reliable transportation required

  • Consistent weekly schedule (no fluctuating shifts, so you can plan your days)

This role is best suited for experienced animal care professionals who take pride in their work, value accountability, and are motivated to be part of a team that leads with both heart and hustle. We maintain a zero-tolerance environment for unprofessional or disruptive behavior, workplace drama or behavior that undermines trust. Every team member is treated with respect, and we are committed to fostering a positive, light-hearted workplace grounded in professionalism. Our culture is built on mutual accountability, with clear expectations for every role. This structure allows our team to succeed while ensuring the highest standard of care for every animal in our facility.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this application—we appreciate your interest in joining our team.

Our team will review all submissions and we will reach out within 3 business days if we’d like to move forward with an interview. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are only able to contact candidates selected to move forward. If you do not hear from us, we will not be proceeding with your application at this time.

We appreciate your time and interest in joining the Companion Animal Center team.