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Animal Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Services

Animal Care Attendant

Norco, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

Description Animal Care Services, located in Riverside County, California, offers veterinary care ... assist in any additional projects/tasks as assigned by the Boarding Supervisor. • Complete ...

Animal Care Services

Animal Care Attendant

Norco, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

Description Animal Care Services, located in Riverside County, California, offers veterinary care ... assist in any additional projects/tasks as assigned by the Boarding Supervisor. • Complete ...

Animal Care Services

Animal Care Attendant

Norco, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

Description Animal Care Services, located in Riverside County, California, offers veterinary care ... and assist in any additional projects/tasks as assigned by the Boarding Supervisor. Complete ...

University of California

Animal Technician

Irvine, CA

$26.99 - $31.71/hr

Certified by AALAS at the Assistant Animal Technician level. Special Conditions: * Required to work weekends and holidays on rotation. * May be required to work overtime as needed. * Must wear ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Chino, CA · 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

Riverside, CA

$16 - $20.75/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

Riverside, CA · On-site

$16 - $20.75/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

Orange, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.25/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

Chino, CA · 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 ...

City of Rialto, CA

Animal Control Officer I/II

Rialto, CA · On-site

$24.30 - $32.56/hr

Receive lost and found animal reports; assist visitors in locating missing pets. * Assist in enforcing City animal control laws; explain ordinance relating to keeping and caring for animals; issue ...

City of Rialto

Animal Control Officer I/II

Rialto, CA

$24.30 - $32.56/hr

Receive lost and found animal reports; assist visitors in locating missing pets. Assist in enforcing City animal control laws; explain ordinance relating to keeping and caring for animals; issue ...

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Animal Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$7

$14

$28

How much do animal assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal assistant in Riverside, CA is $14.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.67 and $15.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are Animal Assistants?

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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Animal jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Animal Assistant jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Animal Assistant job openings:
Animal Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assistant job openings in Riverside, CA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% As Needed, 54% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $30,820 per year, or $14.8 per hour.

Animal Care Attendant

Animal Care Services

Norco, CA • On-site

$16.90/hr

Part-time

Life, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Schedule:
P/T (29 hours/wk.)  
Sunday to Saturday
Must Have Weekend availability
Some holidays
Salary
Starting from $16.90/hr.
 
Description
Animal Care Services, located in Riverside County, California, offers veterinary care, boarding and grooming services for the residents of Norco and surrounding areas.  We are proud to offer exceptional boarding services to our clients and are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate, and dedicated Animal Care Attendant (ACA) to join our team.  At Animal Care Services, we believe that to succeed, the team must be supported.  A team that feels valued is readily able to focus their energy and attention on patient health and well-being and the elevation of customer experience.  We believe in work-life balance, team cohesiveness, and opportunities for professional growth.
What you can expect from us:
·         An environment where your input is sought and respected.
·         401k, and complimentary life insurance 
·         Company sponsored EAP program.
·         Personal Pet Discounts.
·         Enriched work-life integration.
What we expect from you:
·         Be punctual.
·         Be professional.
·         Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, compassion, and empathy.
·         Handle stress and pressure with poise and tact
·         Promote a collaborative, supportive, working environment and encourage the value of teamwork to maintain cohesiveness and personal growth.
·         Be a competent multi-tasker, organizer and understand the importance of maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
·         Be knowledgeable with Word and Excel and know how to maintain accurate pet records.
·         Maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients and pets for whom the practice provides services.
·         Be knowledgeable in animal behavior, handling, husbandry, and basic pet first aid, including medication administration.
·         Have the physical strength and ability to lift objects and pets weighing up to 50 pounds.  
·         Be able to bend, stoop, squat, stand, walk frequently, work in a noisy environment, and tolerate obnoxious smells such as disinfectant, dog/cat bodily discharge odors.
·         Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings.
Responsibilities:
•         Prioritize pet welfare/enrichment.
•         Client communication
•         Effectively manage scheduling of boarding and grooming appointments, create estimates and invoices.
•         Emulate the practice’s objective of exceeding client service expectations and gold standard pet care. 
•         Follow established policies and procedures, maintain a strong work ethic, be professional, respectful, and work with a collaborative, supportive attitude to promote teamwork, and encourage coworkers to do the same.
•         Perform objective health assessments upon intake, identify normal vs. abnormal behavior and conditions.
•         Cleaning, exercising, enrichment, feeding, medication administration (oral and SQ injection)
•         Perform all essential skills as is expected of an Animal Care Attendant within the scope of practice and assist in any additional projects/tasks as assigned by the Boarding Supervisor.
•         Complete accurate and timely record keeping
Qualifications
High School Diploma
Previous work experience in a kennel or veterinary facility: 1 year (preferred)