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Animal Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

CYNET SYSTEMS

Animal Care Assistant I

Arden Hills, MN · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

Document all activities in animal records and forms daily using Good Documentation Practices. * May assist Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarians as assigned by Manager. * Communicate any facility ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Rochester, MN · On-site

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Rochester, MN

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Supervisor

Rochester, MN · On-site

Share product and animal care knowledge to help customers make informed decisions using Petco's selling strategy. * Assist with additional duties as needed to support business needs. People ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Burnsville, MN

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Chaska, MN

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Rochester, MN · On-site

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts. * Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned. * Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support ...

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Animal Assistant information

What is an animal assistant?

Animal Assistants are professionals who help care for animals in a variety of settings, such as veterinary clinics, animal shelters, pet boarding facilities, and research labs. Their duties typically include feeding, grooming, exercising, and monitoring animals, as well as cleaning enclosures and assisting veterinarians or other animal care specialists. They play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals, and may also interact with pet owners and assist with administrative tasks. To become an Animal Assistant, a love for animals, attention to detail, and good communication skills are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal care, handling, and health, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant coursework. Familiarity with animal restraint techniques, cleaning protocols, and sometimes specialized software for record-keeping is typically required. Compassion, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you provide quality care and work effectively with both animals and their owners. These skills ensure the safety, health, and well-being of animals while maintaining efficient operations in veterinary or animal care settings.

What are some common challenges animal assistants face in their daily work, and how can they prepare for them?

Animal Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing the stress and unpredictability of working with a variety of animals, handling physically demanding tasks, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. They may also need to communicate effectively with veterinarians, pet owners, or other staff members, which requires patience and strong interpersonal skills. To prepare, candidates should develop resilience, maintain physical fitness, and seek training in animal behavior and handling techniques, as well as familiarize themselves with the specific procedures of their workplace.

What is the difference between Animal Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimal AssistantVeterinary Technician
CredentialsNone required or basic certificationsLicensed or certified, often requiring an associate degree
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, pet clinics, grooming facilitiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research labs
Job DutiesAssist with animal care, cleaning, feeding, basic handlingPerform medical tests, assist in surgeries, administer medications
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal shelters, pet stores, grooming salonsVeterinary practices, animal hospitals, research institutions

Animal Assistants typically focus on basic animal care and support roles, often with minimal formal credentials. Veterinary Technicians have more advanced responsibilities, including medical procedures, requiring certifications or licenses. Both roles work closely with animals but differ significantly in training, duties, and work settings.

What do you need to be an animal assistant?

To become an animal assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, experience working with animals, and good communication skills. Knowledge of animal care, basic veterinary procedures, and the ability to handle animals safely are important. Some positions may require certifications in pet first aid or animal handling.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Animal Assistant jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Animal Assistant job openings:

Animal Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assistant job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Shelter Animal Care Technician - Part-Time

Animal Humane Society

Golden Valley, MN

$16.75/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Animal Humane Society rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

412th of 777 rated non-profit organizations

Job description

Do you have a passion for the care of animals? Do you enjoy interacting with all animals, including dogs, cats, critters, and birds? Come work as a part-time Animal Care Technician for Animal Humane Society, where caring for animals isn’t just a job – it’s our passion. We are on a mission to compassionately and responsibly create a more humane world for animals and their people.

Description
The Animal Care Technician is responsible for providing humane and compassionate care to all types of shelter animals, ensuring that animals have a safe and clean environment, drinking water, and food.

Benefits (see additional benefits below):
  • Paid Time Off
  • 4 Floating Holidays (per full calendar year)
  • 401k Retirement Plan with a 4% company match

Schedule: Part-time; up to 29 hours/week.
Weekend availability required (Saturday and/or Sunday)
Shifts will be between the times listed below.
Open = Sun-Sat: 7:00am - 3:30pm
Close = Sat, Sun, Mon: 9:30am - 6:00pm | Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri: 11:30am - 8:00 pm

Location: Golden Valley, MN

Essential Functions
Animal Care:
  • Prepare and distribute food and water to all animals per dietary needs.
  • Perform daily cleaning and sanitization of transfer cages, litter boxes, kennels and animal areas including cleaning up animal feces, urine, vomit and other debris.
  • Monitor animals’ wellbeing, including appearance, appetite, hydration, stools, vomit and activity, reporting any health concerns or behavioral changes.
  • Safely handle animals of varying sociability in a variety of ways including walking, restraining, placing in transport crates, etc. using appropriate PPE procedures.
  • Handle animals who may have transmittable illnesses to other animals and humans, following proper handling, quarantine and PPE procedures.
  • Move animals throughout the shelter as needed.
  • Interpret animal body language, read animal cage cards and communication boards.
  • Escalate animal concerns and communicate directly with appropriate department regarding concerning animal appearance or behavior in a timely manner.
Shelter Support:
  • Assist in enrichment programs for animals in shelter.
  • Assist Veterinary Services with fecal/urine collection of animals.
  • Assist with animal restraint for transportation, medical procedures, collection of animal waste and euthanasia as required.
  • Collaborate with other departments and assist as needed.
General Cleaning:
  • Utilize approved chemicals to clean animal and non-animal areas.
  • Operate dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.
  • Remove garbage and recycling as needed.
  • Sweep and mop animal areas.
Communication and Culture:
  • Communicate in a positive and professional manner with customers, other employees, and volunteers.
  • Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to make AHS a more welcoming environment for employees, volunteers, customers, and the community.
Technology:
  • Accurately update animal records in PetPoint.
  • Manage and view work schedule in Makeshift.
  • Clock in and out of shifts using Paycor.
  • Monitor AHS email and other messaging software.
Other duties as assigned.

Additional Information:
Schedule and Attendance
Required to be on time to scheduled shifts during operational hours which may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
May be required to work at a different site based on department needs.
May be required to attend occasional off-site meetings and events.
Attend and participate in regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with direct leader.

Work Environment
Environment can be dirty, wet, warm and humid.
Exposure to zoonotic diseases and pests such as fleas and ticks.
Possibility of being bitten or scratched.
Exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals and noises, including barking.
May be exposed to extreme weather conditions including but not limited to cold, heat, rain and snow when outside.

Experience:
Animal handling experience preferred.

Skills:
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong attention to detail, multi-tasking and time-management skills.
Proficient with computers, specifically a working knowledge of Microsoft products.

Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. unassisted and 100+ lbs. assisted.
Prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Emotional Demands:
Ability to be emotionally resilient while working in a shelter setting.
Must be comfortable handling a variety of animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including the use of humane euthanasia.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this role. Duties, responsibilities and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits
About AHS
Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help thousands of animals in need across Minnesota.
As one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we’re advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.
Why Work Here
  • Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
  • Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
  • Work-life balance
  • Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care and pet supplies
  • Health insurance coverage for full-time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance; critical illness insurance; hospital indemnity insurance; employee- paid supplemental life; employee-paid accidental death amp; dismemberment; and long-term disability insurance.
  • Employer-paid benefits for full-time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
  • Support for student loans: we are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer
  • Mental Health and Counseling Support: all employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program with 3 free counseling sessions per year
  • 401k with 4% company match for part-time and full-time staff
  • Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
  • Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
  • Paid Time Off for part-time and full-time staff (amount is based on hours worked and FTE status)
  • Paid parent leave for full-time staff

Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.
At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.

What Animal Humane Society employees say

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