Job Description

Do you dream of making a career out of helping animals live their best lives

? The

Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS)

is seeking a compassionate, experienced, and dynamic leader to oversee our world-renowned Cat Sanctuary and Adoption Centre. This is a rare opportunity to lead the daily operations of a unique animal welfare facility that is home to more than 500 cats -- many of whom would be considered unadoptable elsewhere.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a leadership role, can manage complex operations, and is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves when needed. The right candidate will be a strong people manager, a problem solver, and a dedicated animal advocate who can balance the Sanctuary's daily needs with long-term sustainability.

About RAPS

The

Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS)

is a no-kill animal services agency and one of the largest animal rescues in British Columbia. We operate the RAPS Animal Hospital,

Canada's largest cat sanctuary

, an adoption centre, and three thriving thrift stores that help fund our programs.

Our Cat Sanctuary is recognized across North America as a unique and compassionate haven for cats who are often considered unadoptable due to medical or behavioural challenges. Alongside the Sanctuary, our hospital, adoption services, thrift stores, and volunteer programs work together to improve and save the lives of animals through innovative, sustainable, and community-driven approaches.

What you'll do

As the

Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centre Manager

, you will have overall responsibility for the Sanctuary's operations, ensuring the well-being of the animals in our care, the effectiveness of our staff and volunteer teams, and the long-term financial sustainability of the Sanctuary and Adoption Centre.

Key responsibilities include:

Animal care & oversight

: Oversee the health, welfare, and daily care of 500+ cats. Identify animals in need of veterinary attention, determine adoptability or rehabilitation potential, and work closely with RAPS Animal Hospital veterinarians and staff.

Team leadership

: Hire, train, schedule, and supervise Sanctuary staff. Lead with empathy and accountability, addressing staff and volunteer concerns, holding regular team meetings, and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Volunteer engagement

: Working with the Volunteer Coordinator to build, support, and retain a large team of dedicated volunteers who are essential to the Sanctuary's success. Develop and maintain volunteer programs and foster strong relationships with individuals who give their time to RAPS.

Adoptions & community programs

: Oversee adoptions, surrenders, fosters, and sponsorship programs. Develop and implement policies and procedures for intake and transfer. Promote sponsorships and community engagement opportunities.

Fundraising & sustainability

: Play a central role in ensuring the Sanctuary's financial health. Lead fundraising and donor relations initiatives, coordinate with RAPS' thrift stores and other revenue-generating programs and identify opportunities for in-kind donations and cost savings.

Facility management

: Oversee maintenance of the facility and equipment, initiate, and supervise projects, and ensure the Sanctuary remains safe, clean, and welcoming for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.

Administration & reporting

: Manage budgets, payroll, record keeping, and statistical reporting. Ensure accurate use of Animal Shelter Manager (ASM) software for tracking animals and operations.

Community engagement

: Build awareness of the Sanctuary through social media, outreach, and public relations. Respond to community inquiries and represent RAPS professionally in all interactions.

Emergency response

: Field occasional after-hours calls from staff and make timely decisions about urgent animal or facility needs.

What we're looking for

This is a demanding but deeply rewarding role. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of leadership, operations management, and animal welfare experience, along with a heart for both people and animals.

Animal shelter operations experience. Strong leadership skills with proven experience managing staff and volunteers. A passion for animal welfare and alignment with RAPS' no-kill philosophy. Excellent organizational, administrative, and problem-solving abilities. Experience with fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit management is a strong asset. Five+ year's animal care experience. Comfort handling cats of all temperaments and supporting staff/volunteers in doing the same. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to represent RAPS in the community. Ability to work independently and make sound decisions under pressure. Flexibility to occasionally respond to emergencies outside of normal hours.

Why join RAPS?

When you join RAPS, you become part of a mission-driven organization that is improving and saving the lives of animals every day.

Here's what makes this opportunity unique:

Impact

: You will be at the heart of one of North America's most remarkable animal sanctuaries, directly influencing the lives of hundreds of cats and the people who care about them.

Community

: Work alongside passionate colleagues, volunteers, and supporters who are deeply committed to animal welfare.

Innovation

: Help shape strategies for sustainability, fundraising, and growth in a dynamic nonprofit setting.

Variety

: Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, from animal care to facility improvements to donor engagement.

Purpose

: Few roles offer this level of fulfillment -- where leadership skills and compassion come together to create lasting change.

Details

Location

: Richmond, BC (on-site at the RAPS Cat Sanctuary)

Compensation

: Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience

Reporting:

RAPS' CEO and Senior Management Staff

Hours

: Full-time, with some flexibility required for emergencies or special events
If you're ready to combine your leadership skills, nonprofit know-how, and love of animals into a role that truly makes a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00-$60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care Extended health care Life insurance On-site parking Paid time off
Ability to commute/relocate:

Richmond, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

animal care: 5 years (required) management: 5 years (required) animal shelter: 5 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person