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Animal Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Chattanooga Zoo

Animal Care Supervisor

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$24.50/hr

The Zoo staff is a team and employees are expected to assist wherever needed in the zoo operation ... Serve as the animal care department point of contact for time sensitive or emergency situations.

Chattanooga Zoo

Animal Care Supervisor

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$24.50/hr

The Zoo staff is a team and employees are expected to assist wherever needed in the zoo operation ... Serve as the animal care department point of contact for time sensitive or emergency situations.

Petco

Animal Care Supervisor

Cordova, TN · 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 ...

New

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$14 - $18.25/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

Spring Hill, TN · On-site

$14.25 - $18.75/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

Spring Hill, TN · On-site

$14.25 - $18.75/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

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$14 - $18.25/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

Companion Animal Supervisor

Hendersonville, TN · 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 ...

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Animal Assistant information

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$7

$14

$28

How much do animal assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal assistant in Tennessee is $14.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.68 and $15.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Tennessee?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Animal Assistant jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Animal Assistant job openings:

Animal Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assistant job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,826 per year, or $14.8 per hour.

Veterinary Assistant at Animal Care Hospital

Animal Care Hospital

Oakland, TN • On-site

$15.50 - $16.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Practice
Animal Care Hospital is pleased to serve Oakland, TN and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to provide you and your pets with the best veterinary experience possible.
At Animal Care Hospital, everyone is considered a leader and an integral member of the health care delivery team. Every day at Animal Care Hospital, it is our friendly team's responsibility to help make your veterinary experience a positive one to ensure that both you and your pet are at ease. In addition to mandatory veterinary knowledge and training, our team is selected for kindness, compassion, patience, professionalism, integrity, and agility.
More about the Role
The Veterinary Assistant assists the veterinarians and technicians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures.
The ideal candidate will have prior Veterinary Assistant experience.
Anticipated schedule is 4 10hr shifts with rotating kennel weekends.
Competencies
  • Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other's ideas.
  • Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
  • Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
  • Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
  • Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities
  • Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
  • Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
  • Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery.
  • Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
  • Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
  • Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
  • Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
  • Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
  • Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
  • Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc.
  • Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications
  • Ability to work on weekends as required
  • Previous veterinary experience preferred
  • Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
  • Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
  • Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages
  • Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.
  • Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety

Benefits Offered
  • Paid time off
  • Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
  • Retirement benefits or accounts
  • Bonus incentive
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Career and professional development
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.
Pay Range
USD $15.50 - USD $16.50 /Hr.

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