Austin Pets Alive! | Pay & Benefits Information

Pay & Benefits Information

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Timeline of Benefits Progress:

2008

  • • All volunteer-run organization

2009

  • • First paid staff

2017

  • • Hurricane Harvey support ramps up staff need

2021

  • •  First Director of Strategic Human Resources hired

  • • 4 paid holidays added, minimum wage increased from $11 to $13/hour

2022

  • • 2 more paid holidays added; minimum wage increases to $15/hour

  • • Added company subsidized pet insurance with a $3,000 emergency fund

  • • Added 401(K) retirement plan with a 100% up to 2% match on investments

  • • Added company paid life insurance 1X the employees’ salary, in addition to the voluntary life insurance offerings

  • • Partnered with BetterUP Professional Development Platform, acquiring 45 sponsored seats, equating to $50K worth of subsidized professional development opportunities and leadership coaching through JFF

  • • Benchmarked in the top 10% of best medical benefits offered in Texas (benchmarked against for-profit and non-profit sectors)

2023

  • • 2 more paid holidays added; minimum wage increases to $17/hour

  • • Implemented a Vacancy Stipend Program in recognition of employees supporting operations in chronically understaffed departments.

2024

  • • 300+ employees

Improvements

While much of the lifesaving work is still supported by volunteers’ generosity, our staff force is an integral foundation for the organization’s continued growth and success. As we’ve continued to push for animal welfare jobs to be recognized as careers, we’ve made necessary improvements to our overall compensation packages including:


  • The launch of a Social Work Program, leading programs such as Compassion Fatigue Classes, Crises Management Workshops and Debrief Sessions for Animal Welfare Personnel (as well as external support for high risk-foster care volunteers)

  • Initiated our Education and Development Department to support training, personal and professional development

  • Started staff led committees “Positive Change Committee”, “Safety Committee” and “Employee Engagement Committee”