We would like to thank you for showing an interest in working here. However, we have found in the past that many people have an unrealistic view of what working in a place like this involves. Please read this letter carefully — it may save us both a great deal of time and trouble.

First, you need to understand that the primary purpose of this facility is to take care of other people’s pets while they’re at work or out of town. We open early (6:30am), and close late (9pm). Since our business is seasonal in nature, you can expect your hours or days to vary according to our needs. We will expect you to work weekends and holidays. This is the nature of our business, and your dependability in this area is critical. If this doesn’t work for you, please seek employment elsewhere.

If you are afraid of dogs, you do not need to be here. But keep in mind that our primary hiring objective is to find people who are mature enough to understand, accept, and reliably perform the responsibilities we will place on them. You are not going to be paid to sit around and play with cute little puppies all day. You will be required to clean up after them, supervise their interactions, feed them, administer medications, and see to their comfort and safety. This requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It is both physically and mentally exhausting, and you should carefully consider whether you’d be happy doing this work under these conditions.

While working here you will be exposed to: filth, loud noises, harsh chemicals, a variety of parasites and zoonoses (medical ailments that people can acquire from animals) and the risk of being bitten, clawed, knocked down, or otherwise injured. These are the potential hazards that you face daily and accept by working here.

You should also know that, with very few exceptions, there are no specialists here. You will be expected to perform any task we require of you. We will try to make the best use of your skills and experience, but you won’t be exempt from the more mundane and unpleasant chores that need to be performed. Floors need to be mopped, crates cleaned, and trash cans emptied. If you get ill at the idea of cleaning up diarrhea or vomit, then this is not the job for you. If you can’t pick up a 50 pound bag of food by yourself, this isn’t the right place for you. If you are allergic to animal hair or sensitive to chemicals, walk away now.

We are looking for mature, responsible people. You must be reliable, patient, intelligent, and capable of independent action and good judgement. If you have to be constantly supervised, or if you cannot find things to do on your own, then you are not the person we are looking for.

We take our profession very seriously. If you wish to work here, then you must too. If you can make this commitment, please indicate by signing below and proceed to fill out the employment application.

Applications are considered active for three months. If you have not heard from us after three months, and you are still interested, please contact us and ask us to keep your application active for another 3 months.

The above information is true and correct. I understand that, in the event of my employment by PDX, I shall be subject to dismissal if any information that I have given in this application is false or misleading, or if I have failed to give any information herein requested, regardless of the time elapsed after discovery.

I authorize PDX to inquire into my educational, professional and past employment history references as needed to research my qualifications for this position. I hereby give my consent to any former employer to provide employment-related information about me to PDX and will hold PDX and my former employer harmless from any claim made on the basis that such information about me was provided or that any employment decision was made on the basis of such information. I further authorize PDX to obtain any credit and consumer check.

I understand that nothing in this employment application, the granting of an interview or my subsequent employment with PDX is intended to create an employment contract between myself and PDX under which my employment could be terminated only for cause. On the contrary I understand and agree that, if hired, my employment will be terminable at will and may be terminated by me or PDX at any time and for any reason. I understand that no person has any authority to enter into any agreement contrary to the foregoing.

If employed, I will be required to provide original documents which verify my identity and right to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986. The document(s) provided will be used for completion of Form I-9.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and agree to the above statements.