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Animal Behavior Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Pathways Admin

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$17/hr

Animal Behavior and Care Responsibilities: * Participate in rounds with other departments to identify dogs with a shelter-based behavioral decline or behavior challenges and develop plans to place ...

Kennel Assistant

Bloomingdale, GA · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

Monitor animal behavior and health, reporting any concerns to the veterinary staff or management. * Handle animals with care and restraint during grooming or veterinary procedures. * Provide ...

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 ...

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 ...

Showing results 21-40

Animal Behavior information

See Georgia salary details

$14.4K

$36.4K

$57.2K

How much do animal behavior jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal behavior in Georgia is $36,365.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24,508.00 and $45,127.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is animal behavior?

Animal behavior refers to the actions and reactions of animals in response to external or internal stimuli. It encompasses everything animals do, including movement, communication, feeding, mating, and social interactions. Scientists study animal behavior to understand how animals adapt to their environment, interact with each other, and survive. This field can involve both observing animals in their natural habitats and conducting experiments in controlled settings.

What are animal behavior jobs?

Animal behavior jobs focus on either domestic animals or wildlife behavior. If you work with domestic animals, you may have duties like training dogs or horses as companion animals or service animals. Your responsibilities can vary significantly, as running obedience classes is very different than training a seeing-eye dog. As an animal behaviorist, your duties and responsibilities are to study how animals behave in their natural habitat, observing how they eat, their hunting behavior, their mating patterns, and how they raise their offspring. In addition to your research, you may teach in a college or university or provide instruction to primary school students. Other animal behaviorist work in zoos or wildlife preserves.

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

To thrive as an Animal Behaviorist, you need a strong background in animal science, psychology, or biology, often supported by a relevant degree and specialized training. Familiarity with behavioral assessment tools, data analysis software, and sometimes certification from organizations like the Animal Behavior Society is typical. Excellent observation, problem-solving, and communication skills help professionals interact effectively with both animals and their owners. These qualifications are crucial for accurately diagnosing behavioral issues and implementing effective intervention strategies that improve animal welfare.

What are some common challenges faced by animal behaviorists in their daily work?

Animal behaviorists often encounter challenges such as interpreting subtle behavioral cues, working with animals that may be stressed or fearful, and effectively communicating findings to pet owners or facility staff. They may also face unpredictable situations, especially when working with animals with a history of aggression or trauma. Building trust with both animals and humans, as well as adapting behavior modification plans to suit individual needs, are key aspects of the role that require patience and flexibility.

What is the difference between Animal Behavior vs Animal Care Specialist?

AspectAnimal BehaviorAnimal Care Specialist
Required CredentialsDegree in animal science, psychology, or related field; certifications in animal behaviorHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training or certifications in animal care
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, animal behavior consulting firmsZoos, shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, academia, animal behavior consultingAnimal shelters, pet care facilities, zoos
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Animal Behavior specialists focus on studying, analyzing, and understanding animal actions, often working in research or consulting roles. Animal Care Specialists provide hands-on care, feeding, and maintaining animals in shelters, zoos, or clinics. While both roles involve working with animals, Animal Behavior emphasizes understanding behavior patterns, whereas Animal Care focuses on daily animal well-being and management.

Do animal behaviorists make good money?

Animal behaviorists typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $40,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, education, and work setting. Advanced roles or those with specialized skills, such as certification or research experience, can lead to higher earnings, especially in private practice or consulting positions.

What jobs can you do with animal behavior?

Animal behavior specialists can work as zookeepers, wildlife rehabilitators, animal trainers, research scientists, or conservation biologists. These roles often require knowledge of ethology, fieldwork skills, and sometimes advanced degrees or certifications in animal science or biology.

What jobs study animal behavior?

Jobs that study animal behavior include ethologists, wildlife biologists, zoologists, and animal behaviorists. These roles often require a background in biology or psychology, fieldwork experience, and knowledge of research methods and animal handling. They can be found in research institutions, zoos, conservation organizations, and academic settings.

What qualifications do I need to be an animal behaviorist?

Animal behaviorists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in biology, psychology, zoology, or a related field, with many roles requiring a master's or doctoral degree. Relevant skills include understanding animal cognition and behavior, research experience, and often certification or training in animal handling or specific behavioral assessment methods.

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

The most popular types of Animal Behavior jobs in Georgia are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Behavior jobs in Georgia look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Behavior jobs in Georgia are:

What cities in Georgia are hiring for Animal Behavior jobs?

Cities in Georgia with the most Animal Behavior job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Behavior job openings in Georgia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,365 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Animal Services - Join RCAS

Rockdale County, Georgia

Conyers, GA • On-site

$16.86 - $26.85/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

 
Rockdale County Animal Services (RCAS)

We are building a talent pool of qualified individuals with a background in animal care, control, or shelter operations to support our growing team. Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience in animal services and a passion for serving both animals and the community. Positions may include Animal Services Officers, Kennel Assistants, and administrative support roles. Join us in making a meaningful impact—where compassion, professionalism, and public service come together.


Our Vision

A future where our citizens and government work together so that every creature is compassionately cared for and has a safe place to call home.

Our Mission

Rockdale County Animal Services division educates, enforces, and assists Rockdale County citizens and visitors with animal needs through a tactful, dignified, discreet, caring, and protective manner. As part of the mission of RCAS, the division will strive to become a “no-kill” agency.

Our Core Values
  • Health of Animals: RCAS values the welfare of the animals in our care and those in the community and will act in a caring and kind way.
  • Quality of Life: RCAS desires a high quality of life for Rockdale County citizens and pets and will work to create an enjoyable and positive environment for the community.
  • Cooperative accountability: RCAS will be accountable to each other and to serve Rockdale Citizens, and will seek accountability from those who serve with us, so that we can reach the goals we set.
  • Care, Cleanliness, professionalism: We want to run an operation that is organized, clean, professional, and focused on care.
  • Efficient use of tax dollars: We will analyze new ideas and programs to ensure that they align with the county’s financial goals. But we will also fight hard for additional financial resources when we believe there is a strong need.

About Us

RCAS responds to about 3,800 animal-related complaints per year. This number continues to grow as our service hours have increased. We house around 1,500 animals a year. These animals include dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, pigs, rabbits, bearded dragons, snakes, cows, horses, and many more species.

Our fully staffed team consists of 15 dedicated professionals:

  • 1 Deputy Director

  • 1 Field Supervisor

  • 1 Kennel Supervisor

  • 1 Administrative Coordinator

  • 2 Kennel Assistants

  • 9 Field Officers

Most staff work 4–10-hour days, with day and night shifts available. We are open to the public and respond to routine complaints 7 days a week.  


Animal Control Officers (soon to be titled Animal Services Officers)

Role Overview:
A professional who ensures the safety and well-being of both humans and animals. Officers are responsible for responding to stray, injured, or aggressive animals. They investigate reports of animal cruelty, animal fighting, and often deal with concerns of animal hoarding. They focus on educating the public on proper and responsible animal ownership while enforcing local ordinances and state laws. They handle bite cases, rabies exposures to humans and domesticated animals, and set up testing or quarantines for these incidents.

Ideal Candidates:
Caring and compassionate towards animals and people. Able to communicate with the public and help build a positive relationship between the division and the community. Wanting to make a difference in not only the lives of animals but also the way the community views the animal shelter.


Kennel Assistants

Role Overview:
A professional who is responsible for the daily care and maintenance of the animals housed at the animal shelter. The responsibilities include feeding, watering, cleaning, vaccinating, medicating, taking pictures, posting to social media and other websites, offering animal enrichment, working with potential adopters, working with owners on reclaiming their pets, working with rescue groups and humane societies to “pull” animals from the shelter. Attending off-site adoption events in the community as well as attending educational events at schools, senior centers, businesses, and other locations. Often giving tours of the shelter and speaking with visitors about what we do. The focus of the Kennel Assistant is to ensure the animals are clean, happy, and cared for while at our shelter.

Ideal Candidates:
Caring and compassionate towards animals and people. Able to communicate with the public. Knowledge of animal behavior and handling. A person who wants to make a difference in animals' and people's lives, but that is realistic that “they cannot save them all”.