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Animal Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Lead

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$18.50 - $20/hr

General Animal Care Responsibilities: * Assist with enrichment activities, toy and food distribution, dog walking and socialization of animals. * Oversee a daily kennel inventory and assist with the ...

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Animal Caretaker

Pawleys Island, SC · On-site

$12 - $13/hr

Need to be comfortable around people and able to assist them if needed. * Participate in behavioral ... Able to tolerate loud animal noises and objectionable odors. * Must enjoy people, animals and ...

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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 Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal assistant in the United States is $14.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.58 and $15.14 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.

More about Animal Assistant jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Animal Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs? The most popular types of Animal jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Assistant jobs include:
Infographic showing various Animal Assistant job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% As Needed, 47% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 10% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $30,541 per year, or $14.7 per hour.
Clinical-track or Tenure-track Assistant-Associate-Full Professor - Theriogenology

Clinical-track or Tenure-track Assistant-Associate-Full Professor - Theriogenology

Iowa State University

Ames, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago


Iowa State University rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 84 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

308th of 530 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Title:
Clinical-track or Tenure-track Assistant-Associate-Full Professor - Theriogenology
Appointment Type:
Faculty
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time, tenure or clinical track, faculty appointment in the area of theriogenology in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine. The primary focus of all aspects of the position will be on food animal theriogenology. Responsibilities of this position will be divided between clinical duty, didactic teaching, development of scholarly works, academic service, and outreach activities. The percentage of effort dedicated towards these duties is dependent on the applicant, chosen track, department, and the service's needs.
The Theriogenology Department currently consists of two equine and small animal focused Theriogenologists, one food animal focused clinician, an embryologist, two comparative theriogenology residents, cryo-bank manager, licensed technician, and animal assistant (caretaker). The primary responsibility of this position will include providing clinical expertise in food animal theriogenology. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to also provide theriogenology services to the clients of the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC) in areas of equine and small animal theriogenology, depending on applicant interest. Clinical responsibilities expected include breeding management across species, breeding soundness exams, semen collection and evaluations, normal and high-risk parturition management, and post-partum care and reproductive surgeries. Opportunities for advanced reproductive technology (embryo transfer, IVF, and postmortem gamete harvest). Teaching responsibilities include providing clinical instruction to fourth-year veterinary students in the reproduction service rotation while providing clinical services to clients. The candidate will be expected to provide lectures on food animal reproduction in the core curriculum to first through third year veterinary students, as well as selected lectures in other courses in the professional curriculum.
There will also be opportunities for participation and contribution in the clinical theriogenology training (House Officer) program, mentoring graduate students, and conducting collaborative research with faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine, other Colleges at Iowa State University, and with scientists at the National Centers for Animal Health in Ames, Iowa. The successful candidate will also have a collegial, collaborative attitude and willingness to provide University and public service through committee work, participation in professional organizations, and continuing education. The successful candidate will also demonstrate commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, dedication to all levels of education, and contribute to the national prominence of the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
  • DVM or equivalent degree.
  • State of Iowa veterinary license on or before the first day of employment.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Board Certified or Eligible by the American College of Theriogenologists (ACT, ABVP (American Board of Veterinary Practitioners), ACVPM (American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine), ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine))
  • Additional clinical experience practicing veterinary theriogenology with a preference for experience in food animals.
  • An advanced academic degree (MS, PhD, or equivalent).
  • A record of scholarship production through grantsmanship, presentations at national and international meetings, and peer-reviewed manuscript publication.
  • Demonstrated ability to instruct veterinary students and house officers.
Department/Program & College Description:
VDPAM was created in 1977 to strategically grow the resources and emphasis in production animal medicine at the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine. VDPAM consists of approximately 55 faculty and 170 staff. Faculty from 3 multiple disciplines were brought together into one department and focused their professional practice, teaching, research, outreach, and extension programs on advancing knowledge on best practices in production animal health and welfare. Our faculty and staff are extensively connected to and serve food animal agriculture through the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory which utilizes world class technology to provide timely and comprehensive diagnostic services. VDPAM faculty and staff operate the Food Animal and Camelid Hospital, the ISU Veterinary Field Service unit, the ISU Embryo Transfer Service and the Food Animal Theriogenology Service which provide the latest medical and surgical services and reproductive technologies to the region.
The ISU VDPAM Theriogenology Team has a broad range of expertise, areas of interest, and clinical experience and is supported by board-certified theriogenologists and experienced staff. The Theriogenology Team works in conjunction with other specialists including our species-specific groups throughout the LVMC. In addition, we work closely with the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and the Department of Animal Science
Department Unit/Website:
Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine - Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
Theriogenology (Reproduction) - Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory - Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Large Animal - Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center
Veterinary Field Services - Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center
Reproductive Services (Theriogenology) - Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center
Proposed Start Date:
March 16, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period
Time Type:
Full time
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
3) Contact Information for Three References
For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Sarah Woods Cuneo at scuneo@iastate.edu.
For guaranteed consideration, please apply before 03/08/2026. Position is open until filled.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date:
February 6, 2026
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:
R18584

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