Animal League Job Fair Attracts Animal Lovers

North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, recently hosted its third annual job fair at the its headquarters on Davis Avenue. The event attracted a mix of well-qualified people hoping to land the perfect animal-oriented job.

Claudia LaForest, a member of the Human Resources Department at NSALA who coordinated the fair, said she was enthusiastic about the event and the potential candidates it undoubtedly attracted.

"We have a few members currently on staff who came to our last one," LaForest said. "It's a great opportunity for anyone looking for a job within the animal league, and I know we'll find so many people perfect for the different positions."

The job fair was set up in the family waiting room of the animal league, as managers and department heads interviewed candidates for positions such as kennel associate, off-site driver, trainer, groomer, licensed vet technician, pharmacy technician and medical manager. With each position came complete benefits including full medical and dental coverage for both employees and their family members.

Judeth Chiello of Islip came to the job fair to apply to become a member of the veterinary department. Chiello, who has been a licensed veterinary technician and head surgeon for more than 10 years, said she lost her job at an animal shelter in New Jersey less than a year ago.

"The people at the shelter I worked at didn't care about the animals, and they were treating them inhumanely," Chiello said. "They wouldn't even give the animals anaesthesia when they had surgery. I wasn't going to stand for that."

The perspective employees met one-on-one with managers in the department for which they were applying, and were asked various questions about their experience and the reasons why working with animals was the right choice for them.

"Shelter animals need a lot of patience and love, and I have that," Chiello said. "That's why I know I'm so great for this position. I can really help these animals."

For more information about the North Shore Animal League America, call 516-883-7575 or visit the organization's website.