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Animal Adoption Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Animal Attendant

Toms River, NJ · On-site

$18.27/hr

... - Assist with animal adoptions. - Perform other miscellaneous duties necessary for the proper and safe operation of the Shelter/Agency. - Be open to the possibility of euthanasia for health ...

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Interacts with public arranging animal adoptions and the boarding of animals. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Animal Shelter Manager. To perform this job successfully, an ...

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Animal Adoption information

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How much do animal adoption jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal adoption in the United States is $21.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is animal adoption?

Animal adoption is the process of taking responsibility for a pet that needs a home, typically from an animal shelter or rescue organization. Instead of buying a pet from a breeder or pet store, adopting means giving a second chance to an animal that may have been abandoned, lost, or surrendered. Adoption usually involves an application process, fees to help cover veterinary care, and sometimes a home check. The goal is to match animals with loving, responsible families and reduce the number of homeless pets. Adopting a pet can be a rewarding experience that saves lives and enriches both the animal's and adopter's lives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in animal adoption, and why are they important?

To thrive in Animal Adoption, you need a solid understanding of animal care, behavior assessment, and adoption protocols, often supported by experience in animal shelters or related certification. Familiarity with shelter management software, pet health databases, and basic veterinary tools is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills help build relationships with adopters and support positive outcomes for animals. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring animal welfare, facilitating successful adoptions, and promoting community trust in adoption programs.

What are some common challenges faced by animal adoption coordinators and how can they be addressed?

Animal adoption coordinators often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of applications, ensuring compatibility between adopters and animals, and handling emotionally charged situations. To address these, coordinators typically rely on clear communication, thorough screening processes, and strong organizational skills. Collaborating closely with veterinary staff, volunteers, and other animal care professionals also helps ensure the best outcomes for both animals and adopters.

What is the difference between Animal Adoption vs Animal Care Specialist?

AspectAnimal AdoptionAnimal Care Specialist
Required CredentialsNone or basic background checkVeterinary assistant certification or related training
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, rescue centersVeterinary clinics, animal shelters
Employer & IndustryAnimal rescue organizations, sheltersVeterinary practices, animal care facilities
Common Search/ComparisonAdopting a pet vs caring for animals professionally

Animal Adoption involves helping individuals find and bring home pets from shelters or rescue groups, focusing on matching animals with new owners. Animal Care Specialists provide professional care, medical attention, and support to animals in shelters or clinics. While both roles involve working with animals, adoption is more about facilitating pet placement for the public, whereas animal care specialists are involved in the health and well-being of animals in a professional setting.

More about Animal Adoption jobs

What cities are hiring for Animal Adoption jobs?

Cities with the most Animal Adoption job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Adoption jobs?

The most popular types of Animal Adoption jobs are:

What states have the most Animal Adoption jobs?

States with the most job openings for Animal Adoption jobs include:

Infographic showing various Animal Adoption job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,749 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Boston Adoption Center- Behavior Coordinator

MSPCA Angell

Boston, MA

$28/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

This is a full time 40 hour/week position.

MSPCA-Angell is currently seeking an experienced animal behavior training professional with excellent teamwork skills to join our Boston Adoption Center Team. 

If you have experience in animal behavior/training and would like to work for an organization that works to help people and animals, this may be the career move you have been looking for.

THE POSITION:

The Behavior Coordinator will advise adoption center staff on facilitating appropriate matches for animals with challenging behavior. The Behavior Coordinator will also be responsible for creating and implementing behavior modification plans for dogs in the adoption center, and instructing adoption center staff on the creation of appropriate adoption recommendations. This position will lead training for our animal adoption staff and volunteers in animal behavior. The Behavior Coordinator will also provide advice and direction to staff on behavior related tasks in the adoption center, including but not limited to daily dog walking, low-stress handling for vaccines, administration of medication, and low-stress euthanasia.

The Behavior Coordinator will provide pre-adoption counseling and hands-on training for prospective adopters, alongside post-adoption support to families who are struggling at home. 

QUALIFIED APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will be an organized, creative problem solver who has fantastic people skills.

EDUCATION

  • CCPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, IAABC or other accredited professional dog training certification preferred, or 2 years equivalent experience training dogs under the supervision of a certified dog trainer and in accordance with the MSPCA training philosophy required.
  • Fear Free Certification within 6 months or hire or promotion date.

EXPERIENCE

  • One year working or volunteering directly with animals, ideally of different species, sizes, and temperaments, under the supervision of a behavior professional.
  • One year working in animal welfare or related field.
  • One year training/behavior modification experience in accordance with the MSPCA’s philosophies.

As this position requires excellent attention to details, as well as verbal and written communication skills, we require applicants to include a cover letter with your application which showcases your writing skills.   

WHO WE ARE:

The MSPCA is one of the oldest and most venerable humane organizations in the world and the largest animal welfare organization in New England- caring for and placing over 11,000 animals annually across our four adoption centers. At our Boston Adoption Center, we care for over 2,000 animals each year with a 92% live release rate. Take a virtual tour of our adoption center! The MSPCA also has the largest animal relocation program in New England - transporting thousands of cats and dogs from overpopulated animal shelters across the country to Massachusetts, where each animal receives medical care, enrichment, and behavior training prior to adoption. Our animal relocation network, combined with the MSPCA-Angell’s veterinary and adoption center resources, works to protect the largest number of animals possible.

We value our connections to communities and organizations, and serve as a resource to protect the largest number of animals possible. 

OUR BENEFITS:

Our values-based, dynamic culture is one of the most unique cultures you will find in the nonprofit industry, offering high engagement roles with flexibility and growth opportunities.  We provide opportunity for continuing education both in animal welfare and in behavior sciences.

We have created a work environment with a balance of independent work, collaboration with behavior team and management team, and working alongside animal care staff and volunteers to ensure a high level of consistency in animal handling and training skills, ultimately resulting in consistent interactions for the animals that allow them to be the most successful.

Our compensation package includes BCBS health insurance, dental and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, sick and vacation time, employee discounts for pet health care, pet food and free on-site parking!

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We believe that a diverse workforce is integral to our organizational culture, and that employing a workforce with varied and unique perspectives that emerge from racial, gender, sexuality, religious, linguistic, neurological, physical and other differences fuels our ability to fulfill our organizational mission, surpassing our goals and visions. The MSPCA-Angell needs a diverse, well-supported workforce of staff and volunteers to best understand and serve our patients, clients, and communities. We are committed to attracting and retaining a highly talented diverse workforce for our future and appreciate your interest in pursuing a career at the MSPCA-Angell.

If you are experienced in animal behavior and would like to work for an organization where your work is an important part of a respected and caring non-profit, apply today.