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Animal Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Destinationpet

Animal Care Attendant

Memphis, TN · On-site

$14/hr

Will be required to assist with bathing and brushing of canine guests. Checks and picks up ... Professional animal care/kennel experience preferred. Displays a professional manner at all times ...

Destination Pet

Animal Care Attendant

Memphis, TN · On-site

$14/hr

Will be required to assist with bathing and brushing of canine guests. Checks and picks up ... Professional animal care/kennel experience preferred. Displays a professional manner at all times ...

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Animal Assistant information

See Tennessee salary details

$7

$14

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How much do animal assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 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 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% 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.

Companion Animal Supervisor

Petco

Hendersonville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Petco rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 642 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

461st of 740 rated retailers

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?
We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.
Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and people.
  • Pet First - Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

  • Foster the Fun - Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through distinct experiences, products, and services.

  • Let's Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

About Petco:
We're proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years - from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood - the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we're here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
As a Companion Animal Supervisor, you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the health, care, and presentation of our live animals while driving sales, customer experience, and operational excellence within the Companion Animal and Aquatics departments.
You lead through expertise and influence, coaching partners to deliver exceptional animal care and knowledgeable service. You combine a deep commitment to pet welfare with strong operational discipline and business acumen to achieve sales, margin, and shrink goals, all while modeling Petco's leadership expectations.
What You'll Do
Pet First
  • Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all live animals through strict adherence to Petco standards, policies, and veterinary protocols.
  • Complete and oversee hourly animal health checks, wellness cards, and required documentation.
  • Ensure proper handling, care, and documentation of adoption animals.
  • Act immediately and appropriately for sick or injured animals in alignment with veterinary protocols.

Foster the Fun
  • Coach and mentor partners to deliver confident, compassionate, and knowledgeable customer interactions.
  • Create a welcoming, engaging environment in the Companion Animal and Aquatics areas through high presentation standards.
  • Promote a positive culture of teamwork, inclusion, and collaboration.
  • Lead by example modeling Petco's selling behaviors and customer service expectations.

Let's Go!
  • Drive Companion Animal and Aquatics sales, margin, and shrink performance through disciplined execution.
  • Utilize business insights to analyze trends, identify opportunities, and implement improvement plans.
  • Efficiently order live animals to balance animal welfare, inventory levels, sales, and margin goals.
  • Support Omni-Channel execution, including BOPUS, ship-from-store, curbside, and endless aisle.
  • Serve as Leader on Duty, supporting Pet Care Center operations, communication, safety, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities
Animal Care & Operations
  • Execute Companion Animal and Aquatics operations including animal care, maintenance, ordering, regulatory compliance, CAPI, HAHC, CAPC, and veterinary partnerships.
  • Ensure all animal maintenance tasks are completed according to the Maintenance Task List.
  • Maintain operational, safety, and regulatory standards at all times.
  • Achieve high standards of cleanliness, care, and visual presentation in all animal areas.

Business & Customer Experience
  • Process transactions efficiently while delivering a great customer experience.
  • Monitor sales, margin, and inventory reports to support department performance.
  • 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 Leadership
  • Train, coach, and develop partners in animal care, selling behaviors, and operational routines.
  • Provide ongoing feedback and support to strengthen partner performance and engagement.

What Success Looks Like
  • Animals are healthy, safe, and cared for to Petco's highest standards.
  • Customers trust the team's expertise and return for guidance and solutions.
  • The Companion Animal department meets or exceeds sales, margin, and shrink goals
  • Partners are confident, well-trained, and proud of the care they provide.

What You Bring
Experience & Skills
  • High school Diploma or GED preferred.
  • 1+ year of supervisory experience, preferably in a pet retail environment.
  • Strong knowledge of companion animals, aquatics, and animal care practices.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • High focus on customer service and people development.

Essential Functions & Work Environment
This role is primarily performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment. The Companion Animal Supervisor is expected to be regularly present on the sales floor, leading by example and engaging with partners, customers, and pets.
  • Majority of work is conducted indoors; however, occasional duties may require leaving the Pet Care Center for tasks such as bank deposits, merchandise transport, or community events.
  • The role requires frequent standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.
  • Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Regular engagement with customers on the sales floor, including providing customer assistance and performing cashiering and point-of-sale transactions.
  • Must be able to work in proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.
  • Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • This is a full-time position. Eligibility for full-time status is based on average hours worked, as defined by company policy and applicable law.
  • A limited amount of travel may be required for training, meetings, or community engagement.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
Why You'll Love It Here
  • Purpose-driven work that makes a difference for pets and people.
  • Hands-on leadership experience and career growth opportunities.
  • A supportive, inclusive culture built on teamwork and authenticity.
  • The chance to grow your leadership skills while having fun doing meaningful work

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.
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