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Animal Care Assistant Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

VCA Animal Hospitals

Veterinary Assistant

East Hartford, CT · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

At VCA Animal Hospital of East Hartford , you can be the Veterinary Technician you have always ... Client education and care * Pharmacy and medication administration * Lab sample collection and ...

Town of Vernon

Seasonal Kennel Assistant

Vernon, CT · On-site

$22.63/hr

Animal Control/Seasonal Kennel Assistant Date Posted: 7/14/2026 Location: Animal Control Facility ... Maintains town pound and animal shelters in absence of Animal Control Officer. Such care and ...

NVA

Veterinary Technician

Chicopee, MA · On-site

Counsel and educate clients on animal health care * Assist veterinarian before, during and after surgery * Perform routine animal dental procedures and assist veterinarians with oral surgery Physical ...

Town of Vernon

Seasonal Kennel Assistant

CT · On-site

$22.63/hr

Seasonal Kennel Assistant Hourly Rate: $22.63/hr Dept: Police, Location: Animal Control Facility ... Maintains town pound and animal shelters in absence of Animal Control Officer. Such care and ...

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Animal Care Assistant information

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$9

$17

$30

How much do animal care assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal care assistant in Springfield, MA is $17.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.38 and $21.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal care assistant?

Animal care assistants are professionals who support the daily care and well-being of animals in settings like veterinary clinics, animal shelters, zoos, and research facilities. Their duties typically include feeding, grooming, exercising animals, cleaning enclosures, and monitoring animal health and behavior. They may also assist veterinarians or other staff with medical procedures and record-keeping. Compassion, attention to detail, and good communication skills are important traits for this role.

What does an animal care assistant do?

Animal care assistant help feed and care for one or more animals. In this role, you may provide obedience training for a pet, groom animals, or assist other caregivers as necessary. Many animal care assistants specialize in specific areas, such as farm animals, marine mammals, or horses. This is not a veterinary position, though some animal care assistants work with vets to provide additional services to clients and customers. Many of the specific job duties of this position depend on the employer. For example, animal care assistants who work at zoos may be responsible for feeding animals or cleaning habitats, while animal care assistants at pet stores may help clean and groom animals daily in preparation for adoption.

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

To thrive as an Animal Care Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal health, handling, and husbandry, often supported by a high school diploma or animal care certification. Familiarity with animal management software, cleaning equipment, and medical or grooming tools is typically required. Compassion, reliability, and strong communication skills help build trust with animals and collaborate effectively with veterinary staff. These skills ensure the well-being of animals, maintain a safe environment, and support the smooth operation of animal care facilities.

What are some common challenges animal care assistants face in their daily work, and how can they be addressed?

Animal Care Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing a high workload, handling stressed or uncooperative animals, and maintaining strict hygiene standards. These can be addressed by developing strong time-management and observation skills, following established safety protocols, and seeking guidance from more experienced staff. Building rapport with animals and learning to recognize signs of stress can also help create a safer and more comfortable environment for both pets and staff. Teamwork and clear communication with veterinarians and other assistants are essential for overcoming these daily challenges.

What is the difference between Animal Care Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimal Care AssistantVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate degree in veterinary technology; certification required
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, kennels, pet stores, clinicsVeterinary clinics, hospitals, animal clinics
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal care facilities, shelters, pet storesVeterinary practices, animal hospitals
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level animal care rolesExploring technical veterinary roles and certifications

Animal Care Assistants typically perform basic animal handling, feeding, and cleaning tasks in shelters or pet stores, often with minimal formal education. Veterinary Technicians have more advanced responsibilities, including assisting veterinarians with medical procedures, requiring specialized training and certification. Both roles are essential in animal care, but Veterinary Technicians have a broader scope of medical duties and higher qualifications.

More about Animal Care Assistant jobs

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For Animal Care Assistant jobs in Springfield, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Animal Care Assistant jobs in Springfield, MA are:

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Cities near Springfield, MA with the most Animal Care Assistant job openings:

Animal Care Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Care Assistant job openings in Springfield, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,406 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Smith College - Assistant Professor of Genetics/Genomics

Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology

Northampton, MA • On-site

$92 - $96/hr

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Smith College is seeking to fill a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences beginning July 1, 2027. The selected candidate will develop innovative courses and an independent research program in the Genetics, Evolution, and Molecular Biology track. We encourage applications from colleagues working with human, model, or novel systems, who are interested in basic or applied questions, and whose methods are not exclusively computational. The successful candidate will meaningfully incorporate undergraduates in research which combines molecular biology with experimental, field and/or computational approaches.

A PhD by the time of appointment, and a commitment to inclusive undergraduate education are essential. Candidates with postdoctoral experience, a record of research publications, and evidence of teaching and/or pedagogical training are preferred. Teaching responsibilities will include participation in the teaching of BIO 230 (Genetics, Genomics, and Evolution), as well as intermediate/advanced offerings in the candidate’s area of expertise. We seek applicants whose research interests complement and broaden the existing expertise in the Department of Biological Sciences. Candidates from groups underrepresented in the Biological Sciences are encouraged to apply.

In addition to a competitive benefits package, pay for newly-hired assistant professors with a terminal degree beginning the first year of the tenure clock in Fall 2027 is typically between $92,000-96,000. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors, including but not limited to teaching and work experience beyond the terminal degree, as well as market, disciplinary, and internal peer equity factors.

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is the largest women’s college in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. Smith College offers opportunities to foster faculty success at every career stage, such as those listed here.

State-of-the-art resources at Smith include the Centers for Molecular Biology, Microscopy & Imaging, and Mass Spectrometry, along with the MacLeish Field Station, Botanic Garden, an accredited animal care facility (with mammalian, amphibian, zebrafish systems in place), and access to high performance computational resources through Unity. The new faculty member will have opportunities to collaborate with Smith College’s programs in Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Exercise and Sport Studies, Environmental Science and Policy, Engineering, Computer Sciences, and Statistics and Data Sciences. In addition, the Smith belongs to a multi-institutional Consortium which provides a rich intellectual and cultural life for faculty and students, as well as opportunities for collaborative research and mentoring of graduate students through our M.Sc. in Biological Sciences program, and of doctoral students through our affiliation with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.

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