Professional Pet Care Provider Application

Please download and review the job description in full before proceeding.

I certify I have read the job description of the position in full.*

Please initial in the box above.

Our Values

Community: Cloud 9 exists primarily as a local small business dedicated to provide long-term support to members of the beloved city we’ve called home for our entire lives. We believe in the significance of social connection, empathy, equity, and safe relationships for all.

Wellness: When we work with all beings of all species, it is our job to tend to the needs of ALL who wind up in our care, human and animal alike. We look beyond “just behavior” and “just a dog walk” to provide a professionally skilled eye to all we do—after all, these are SO MUCH MORE than ‘just a pet.’

Excellence: We’ve put in the work to bring intensively-thought-out, developed, professional quality services that are the just-right blend of passionate heart, brilliance in problem solving, and guidance through a gentle hand. When you book with Cloud 9, we give our all to bring you the best pet care and dog training has to offer: because your best friend deserves the best of the best!

Dear Applicant,

Please fill out the application in full prior to submitting. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not contact our office phone regarding application status.

Thank you for your time and interest!

Gratefully,

Nicole B., Cloud 9
Nicole Bowdish
Owner & Founder | Cloud 9 Canine, LLC
Contact: manager@kzoopet.com

*Again, no phone calls regarding applications, please!*

18+ years of age on the date of hire.*

I certify I meet the age requirement.

Possess a valid U.S driver's license AND reliable personal transportation to commute independently to, from, and between client homes.*

I certify I meet the driving requirement.

Own a reliable smartphone with capabilities for completing detailed working tasks on a smartphone app, including a reliable cellular data connection.*

I certify I meet the cell phone requirement.

Summary of Required Availability

1. OPEN availability on Saturdays.

2. At least one weekday day camp shift.
(Either 7:45am-12:15pm or 12:45pm-5:15pm, Monday through Friday—you must have at least ONE of these slots routinely open each month).

3. Some weekday early mornings (6am-8am).*

4. Some weekday late nights (9pm-11pm).*
*Pet sitting hours typically fall early morning and late night.

Open availability (6am-11pm) on Saturdays is required for all staff: we do not approve recurring Saturday time off for field staff.*

I have open availability on Saturdays.

Available to work some weekday early mornings (6am-8am).*

I will be available AND am able to work a pet sitting job which will consist of morning let-outs starting before 8am.

Available to work some weekday late evenings (9pm-11pm).*

I will be available AND am able to work a pet sitting job which will consist of nighttime let-outs starting after 9pm.

Available to routinely work ONE MONTH (4 consecutive weeks of shifts) for weekday day camp (required to complete staff training): shifts are 7:45am-12:15pm OR 12:45-5:15pm, Monday through Friday.*

I will be available to work some weekday daytime block shifts for day camp services.

Available to work an "essential service" job with relatively inflexible scheduling (e.g., we need time off notices a month in advance so we are able to know when to close our scheduler; we have to provide services once clients book; if coverage is NOT available for services, we have to go provide the service).*

I understand the inflexible aspect of scheduling for an essential service and am applying to this position with full acknowledgement that scheduling is intensely rigid compared to other industries or job positions.

Looking for strictly part-time, flexible hours that WILL fluctuate with the demands for services (we do not guarantee we will fill your schedule with 'x' amount of hours each week; we could have little to no hours to schedule at any given week depending on demand).*

I acknowledge I am applying for a *part-time* position with *variable/fluctuating* amount of hours to be scheduled to work -- with no minimum guaranteed.I certify that I am aware this role is a part time, variable hour employment position.

Please type our your day-to-day availability schedule in the box below, formatted as follows:

Sunday: 0:00 AM - 00:00 PM

Monday: 0:00 AM - 00:00 PM

Tuesday: 0:00 AM - 00:00 PM

Wednesday: 0:00 AM - 00:00 PM

Thursday: 0:00 AM - 00:00 PM

Friday: 0:00 AM - 00:00 PM

Saturday must be open, meaning 6am-11pm available.

Availability:*

Technology Demands: Completing narrative-length written reports on your cell phone, with fast typing speed, ability to take clear portrait-style posed photos of pets, and easy navigation of a smartphone app on which services are conducted.*

I certify I meet the technology proficiency requirement.

Physical Demands: Independently walking dogs multiple consecutive miles at a fast walking pace (dogs comfortably walk 4x our human speed!).*

I certify I am aware of the physical activity demands of the position I am applying for.

Physical Demands: Walking outdoors in ANY conditions—heat, snow, sleet, rain, wind, severe cold, and the like..*

I certify I am aware of the physical activity demands of the position I am applying for.

Physical Demands: Walking giant-sized or extremely excitable dogs that may be capable of knocking down their handler or lunging suddenly against their leash, requiring strength to handle and contain them securely.*

I certify I am aware of the physical demands of the position I am applying for.

Physical Demands: Lifting heavy or large animals requiring physical assistance to ambulate or enter vehicles.*

I certify I am aware of the physical demands of the position I am applying for.

Physical Demands: Bending over to clean up vomit or diarrhea, crouching to secure pet equipment, standing or working on your feet for long durations, or twisting to change direction suddenly when interacting with pets.*

I certify I am aware of the physical demands of the position I am applying for.

Personality Demands: Patiently tolerating ANY pet behavior and personality type in recognition that any pet may typically display fearful, defensive, destructive, messy, persistent, rowdy, mouthy/nippy, loud, or otherwise challenging behavior.*

I acknowledge the behavioral diversity possibilities in animals and am confident I possess the temperament and professionalism to, once trained by C9C, calmly and carefully follow C9C procedures to keep myself, the animals I work with, the clients I serve, and client homes safe, secure, and comfortable while serving household pets of any breed, size, energy level, training history, or behavioral history.

Personality Demands: Accountability, responsibility, and self-management are a MUST. You are working alone, but on camera, and expected to be trustworthy AND manage yourself while in client homes, acting with the utmost integreity.*

I am able to self-manage and use my resources, including understanding common sense etiquette with client's private home spaces, being able to show up to work, and understand this job is STRESSFUL and requires ALREADY-ACQUIRED adult skills of time management, resourcefulness, and being able to show up to work: it is NOT an easy or light-hearted job, and it is NOT a good job for individuals just starting out learning professional skills like etiquette, time management, or responsibility for working tasks.

We only hire for PET CARE positions, and we believe strongly in remaining in our scope of practice. Do you understand this is a PET CARE position and advertising self or service as DOG TRAINING is not within the scope of the role you are applying for?*

We do not hire dog trainers from outside our organization.

Cloud 9 is committed to modern, progressive animal husbandry practices per our values for Community, Wellness, and Excellence. We adhere to LIFE (Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective) handling techniques. Compulsive, heavy-ended, or otherwise manually-intensive based handling is strictly prohibited: including those described with other terms which are suppressive in nature and, in turn, typically unskilled. Do you share these values and align yourself with these practices when handling animals? *

We are happy to train you, but we are not open to compulsive techniques or "social media style" dog training. This is a skilled, professional position.

Send Your Resume: Please email us your current professional resume to manager@kzoopet.com with the subject line of "(Your First Initial & Last Initial—"AB Professional Resume."*

I verify I emailed my resume in the exact formatting detailed above.

Professional References: List at least 2 -professional- references here. At least 1 of the references must be from a previous employer. *

Please include each reference's name, job title, their relationship to you, their email address, AND their phone number. We will contact them if we decide to move forward with your application after your interview.

Why did you end employment at your last job?*

Do you currently work another job? If so, in what field?*

What are your long term career goals?*

Do you have relevant experience or education related to animal sciences, biology, applied behavior analysis, or animal husbandry? If so, please describe.*

Please sign below to authorize Cloud 9 Canine, LLC, to run a criminal background check and contact your references if we choose to proceed with employment onboarding.*

Your Legal Name*

First NameLast Name

Your Preferred Name & Pronouns*

Your Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Email*

example@example.com

Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

6 Month Minimum Commitment

Due to our intensive New Hire Training Program and the relationships that form between staff and the pets we serve, we require a six month minimum commitment to employment with Cloud 9 Pet Care. This position is NOT suitable for temporary, seasonal, or short-term work.

Available Start Date*

Date

Type out the date 6 months from today (MM/DD/YYY). Are you able to commit to 6 months of employment with Cloud 9 Pet Care?*

Please double check your formatting matches the question: attention to detail is critical in this position.

Do you currently live with any pets? If yes, tell us all about your personal pets!*

If you could do anything in the world (time & finances were not a barrier), what would you do?*

Tell us about a time you got "the short end of the stick" at work: what happened, what did you do, and what did you learn from the situation?*

How do you spend your days off from work?*

What do you think are the biggest risks, or situations that could go poorly, while providing in-home pet care services to pets?*

Aside from the opportunity to work with animals, why do you want to become a part of C9C?*

Aside from gaining experience with animals, what goals would you like to accomplish while working with C9C?*

Tell us what pet picture on our website or social media stands out most to you and why.*

kzoopet.com

Of the C9C values listed on our website, which stands out most to you? Why?*

kzoopet.com

Briefly paraphrase the C9C mission as described on our website. How do you relate to our mission statement?*

kzoopet.com

We Work with Intensive Behavior Cases

C9C is a professional pet company. The majority of households we serve bring us in because they need PROFESSIONAL level service. Candidates do not need any prior experience in the pet industry to be successful in this position, though we expect candidates to demonstrate passion and commitment to achieving C9C's mission-oriented working standards.

To be candid, if you are looking for nothing more than a simple side gig spending time with animals, this position is not for you. Our tag line is "SO much more than just a (pet/dog walk/pet sitter)" and we mean that wholeheartedly. We are a professional pet company with intensive standards for the skill and knowledge of our staff. It is imperative candidates begin the job ready to completely learn and unlearn just about everything modern culture teaches us about handling pets AND are committed to bettering their approach/mindset to pet handling to meet evidence-based standards for continuously evolving best practices!

Describe your comfort level with the scope of the job described above.*

Although we have processes in place for screening and onboarding new clients, care providers do not individually meet every household of pets before providing service. How comfortable are you working a job that requires proficiency on adhering to strict procedures and errorlessly following highly detailed written instructions rather than relying on routine/memory/familiarity? *

We expect our entire team to be able to care for any pets we serve. How comfortable are you getting assigned to work with various companion animal species (most commonly dogs and cats, but also potentially geckos, rabbits, or chickens), and various sizes, breeds, and personality types of pets?*

When we are working with new hires, we have to look for traits that cannot be taught, such as solid instincts and a willingness to take the nature of the job seriously: meaning, if you're looking for a job where you can pet, hug, and cuddle animals all day, this is not a good fit as we always say ANY pet can display ANY behavior at any time, and PROFESSIONAL providers enjoy interactions with pets regardless of the level of affiliative ("friendly") behavior -- or lack thereof. As stated above, most people hire us because their pets are NOT this way and need someone who understands, respects, and enjoys working with these behaviors—does this standard meet your expectation for the position, or alter your interest in the job in any way?*

We Don't Get to "Just Call In" From Work

As an essential service, unfortunately we can't just simply let a household know we won't be able to come in to work today and therefore they need to find another person to come feed/water/medicate/let-out their pets: pets depend on us for their survival needs, and if we do not show up, it can lead to serious pet welfare concerns. Although C9C operates in a team-based structure, individual providers hold SOLE responsiblity for performing service to assigned households.

Regardless of circumstance, staff must always use communication channels to find their own coverage AND find a way to show up to provide service if coverage is not voluntarily offered by co-workers.

Attendance demands of this position differ vastly from most other industries and can be incredibly stressful, but it is a reality of an *essential* service that everyone, including C9C leadership and business owners, are responsible for.

We put this in here to prompt candidates to assess what that may mean for their individual needs BEFORE considering this position. Please think realistically about if this type of attendance demand may or may not be suitable for you as an individual.

Describe your comfort level with the attendance requirements of the job described above.*

We Have to Show Up If Coverage Is Not Available

In the event that we attempt to find coverage and no one is available and willing to cover our assigned services for us, we still have to go out to take care of the pets assigned to us as we are responsible for their care. This includes ensuring we are able to independently self-manage our time off, plan ahead, and monitor & update our availability accurately in online systems. Every member of the team has to take responsibility for their own service roster once assigned: it is solely our responsibility to ensure every pet receives service as assigned.

We also need to be very organized, attentive people to confirm our availability is displayed correctly; if you're not this type of personality OR still developing this skill, this is not a good fit to LEARN time-management in. Candidates should already possess strong self-organization and time management skills.

Describe your comfort with the aspect of potentially not having to be able to secure coverage and having to go to provide service to the pets on your schedule for the day as described in the above job description.*

Describe your self-assessment of how you manage your time and organize your schedule in your daily life.*

We Have to Be Resourceful

In the event of a barrier in us making it out to homes to providing essential care services, we have to be resourceful. C9C does not cancel on clients and guarantees we will show up.

An example would be if our car doesn't start one morning, we have to be able to seek out alternate transportation (borrowing a car from a friend or family member, utilizing public transportation, professionally communicating with clients that we are on the way but a bit delayed, or using rideshare apps) to still make it to our visits. Being able to stay calm in stressful situations and independently work to find solutions, without getting overwhelmed or giving up, is critical in this line of work.

Describe your comfort with the expectation of being able to be resourceful to solve problems at work as described in the above job description.*

If your phone was dying and you were assigned to go to visits in 15 minutes, how would you handle this situation?*

Describe your comfort with the scheduling expectations outlined above.*

Schedule Breaks: Press to confirm you are able and willing to have gaps in your working hours to meet pet needs. (Example: You could be scheduled for a 6:30am-7:30am service, then a route of services from 11am-3pm with a gap in between.)*

I confirm I am aware and applying for a job where the schedule will fluctuate based on the pet needs and I won't be able to flexibly move my scheduled arrival for services for my convenience over the pet needs.

Holiday Requirements: We require 2 holidays per season (summer and winter) which are assigned as needed. Are you able to commit to a job where you would be scheduled to work 2 of 3 holidays per season?*

This is a job requirement: C9C provides service 6am-11pm, 365 days per year. This job will require staff to work Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, or New Year's Eve night. All staff, including the business owners and managers, work 2 out of the 3 holidays in the summer AND winter seasons.

Anyone Commutes Anywhere In Our Service Area

We provide in-home services, traveling between client residences on our routes of assigned services.

We commute throughout Kalamazoo, Comstock, South Portage, Parchment, and Texas Corners which consists of a lot of time spent on the road, and routes are multi-variable, so there is NO GUARANTEE you will work in neighborhoods close to home: all of us work all over the service area.
This requires comfort driving in extreme and hazardous weather conditions to ensure pets receive food, water, let-outs, and medications even in the middle of severe weather events.
*We prioritize safety over timeliness (i.e, being able to drive slow and not rush in poor weather), but we provide services in all weather so team members need to be comfortable driving in and working outdoors in all kinds of weather, even severe (we provide life-sustaining essential services).
Service hours are 6am-11pm which will require commuting to and locating homes in the dark.

Based on the above description, how comfortable are you having a job that requires confidence driving and navigating Kalamazoo in serious weather conditions (white-out blizzards, ice storms, heavy rain) and pitch-black times of day?*

Our service area spans through south Portage, Gull Road, Texas Township area, WMU campus, and Kalamazoo city. We are scheduled based on where demand is, so you could end up driving quite a bit, and there's no guarantee of being scheduled close to your residence. How comfortable are you with a job that requires a lot of time spent on the road and getting sent to work where you're needed?*

New Hire Training Process Expectations

We value coachability over perfectionism; meaning, taking the need to be constantly learn from your trainers, your co-workers, the clients, and the pets you spend time with seriously is the most important factor for the job.

ALL new hires, no matter their background within the pet industry, always come in with a LOT to learn about evidence-based, +R paradigm-centered, skilled pet handling.
Given the unregulated nature of the pet industry, everyone also comes in with a lot of beliefs and practices to "unlearn" (throughout new hire training).
We don't expect new hires to be fluently skilled and knowledgeable from day one, but we do expect to see new hires meeting new hire objectives AND applying everything they learn each day. Our tag line is they are "so much more than just a pet" and this job is SO much more than "just dog walking."

While we provide new hire training, new hires are continuously evaluated for their safety and suitability for working unsupervised (always on camera, but without in-person support) in client homes with ANY type of pet we serve. Therefore, we start with a probationary period where we may, at any time, dismiss new hires that do not meet criteria for demonstrating coachability, safety awareness, and a full respect for risk-aversion, pet welfare, and initiative for continuously and independently working to better themselves as handlers to, in turn, better serve the pets whose well-being we are entrusted with.

Based on the above description, how comfortable are you committing to the intensive new hire training program as part of this job?*

What questions about animal behavior do you currently have?*

Where do you currently gather most of your information about pet care and handling?*

What questions or observations do you currently have about the behavior or enrichment of your personal pets or pets you've interested with?*

What are your thoughts about working with a cat that may hiss at you or scratch you and not allow you to attempt to touch her?*

If a dog was bouncing off the walls excited to the point of not being able to be calmed down, how would you respond to him?*

If a dog were to run behind a couch and hide from you when you arrived to walk her, how would you respond?*

The lock to open a client's home is jammed shut and not opening. The client is not responding to your messages and you have poor phone signal. What do you do?*

You are at what was booked as a 40 minute visit. You have been at the visit for 57 minutes and are instructed to get the dog in the crate at the end of the visit, but the dog is running away, rolling onto their back, and refusing to go in the crate. What do you do?*

A puppy has a diarrhea blow out in his crate that spills over onto the carpet and splatters up the wall. The fecal matter is thick and slimy, making it difficult to clean up, and the house is low stock on paper towels so you are about to run out. Some of the fecal matter gets onto your pant legs. How do you handle this?*

Tell us your favorite memory you have with an animal, whether it was a past pet, current pet, or a pet you worked with.*

If you can't figure out how to put on a dog's harness, what would you do?*

Pretend you are caring for the pets in the scenario below.

You have just finished an early morning pet sitting visit for a pair of dogs, Bella and Tycho.

You discover one of the dogs has peed on the rug when you walk into the home.
Tycho jumps on you and scratches you when you walk in, barks loudly while you leash him and Bella up, and lunges at squirrels you pass on the walk.

You take them on a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood.

They both are served breakfast, which they eat.
After breakfast, you spend the rest of the visit hanging out with them on the couch.

Write a detailed narrative of how you would report this visit back to the client as if you were sending it to the client as a post-service report.*

Submit a picture you've taken of a pet that you would consider "report card worthy" to include in a post-service client report.*

Browse Files

Ideal range of hours per week:*

Please note schedules build slowly, and demand for services/working hours vary: we only promote from within for full-time positions.

Verification of Job Demands—Variable Hours Scheduled: As repeated in this application, demand for services fluctuates meaning hours available fluctuates. Please check the box to acknowledge that this is not a fixed-schedule job.*

I acknowledge that my scheduled hours may fluctuate and I am interested in a position with a variable/flucuating schedule and variable/fluctuating hours (0-30/week).

Verification of Job Demands—Working within Pet Needs: As repeated in this application, demand for services fluctuates meaning times service are available fluctuate. Please check the box to acknowledge that this is not a fixed-schedule job.*

I acknowledge that my scheduled working times may fluctuate based on where demand for services is, including gaps between services in my workday and requiring my availability to be open to accommodate where demand falls.

Verification of Job Demands—Typical Demand: As repeated in this application, services are MOST popular in the early morning (6-8am), midday (10am-4pm), and late evening (9-11pm). Please check the box to acknowledge where your working hours will fall, including gaps in the schedule and where hours are available.*

I acknowledge that there are small windows of early morning, midday, and late evening popular booking times and my scheduled availability would need to offer availability during these times.

Verification of Job Demands—Some weekends & holidays are REQUIRED.*

I acknowledge that weekend & holiday availability is required for this position.

C9C Professional Pet Care Provider Job Application

Candidates Requirements

Availability Requirements

Job Demand Requirements

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Time Commitment

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Job Demands

A-DAY-IN-THE-LIFE SCENARIOS

Availability

APPLICATION COMPLETE!