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Animal Care Associate Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Animal Resources Officer

Pittsboro, NC · On-site

$56K - $72K/yr

... Associate's degree • 2% for Bachelor's degree • 5% for Intermediate Law Enforcement ... Thorough knowledge of animal care and behavior and the safe handling and general welfare practices ...

Retail Sales Associate

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$14.50 - $16.75/hr

Feeders Pet Supply is calling all enthusiastic animal lovers to apply to join our amazing team as a full-time or part-time Retail Sales Associate ! WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN OUR TEAM We are a pet care ...

Retail Sales Associate

Raleigh, NC

$14.50 - $16.75/hr

Feeders Pet Supply is calling all enthusiastic animal lovers to apply to join our amazing team as a full-time or part-time Retail Sales Associate ! WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN OUR TEAM We are a pet care ...

Retail Sales Associate (3)

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$14.50 - $16.75/hr

Feeders Pet Supply is calling all enthusiastic animal lovers to apply to join our amazing team as a full-time or part-time Retail Sales Associate ! WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN OUR TEAM We are a pet care ...

Description Associate Veterinarian | Full Time Kildaire Animal Medical Center About You You'll get to know the family and care for the pet year after year. From delivering reliable care, to ...

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Animal Care Associate information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$7

$13

$33

How much do animal care associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal care associate in Raleigh, NC is $13.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.53 and $14.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can you do with an associate's in animal science?

An Animal Care Associate with an associate's in animal science can perform tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and monitoring animals' health in shelters, farms, or research facilities. The degree provides foundational knowledge of animal behavior, nutrition, and care, often complemented by hands-on experience and certifications like CPR or animal handling training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animal Care Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Care Associate, you need a fundamental understanding of animal behavior, basic veterinary care, and safe handling techniques, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal management software, cleaning and feeding equipment, and sometimes certifications in animal first aid are typically required. Compassion, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help foster positive animal interactions and effective teamwork. These competencies ensure the health, safety, and well-being of animals while maintaining smooth daily operations.

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

AspectAnimal Care AssociateVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate degree in veterinary technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, pet stores, kennelsVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal care facilities, shelters, pet storesVeterinary practices, animal hospitals
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Animal Care Associates typically perform basic animal handling, feeding, and cleaning duties 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 involve working closely with animals, but Veterinary Technicians usually work in clinical settings with more technical tasks.

What is the highest paying job in animal care?

The highest paying roles in animal care typically include veterinary surgeons and specialized animal researchers, with veterinarians earning the most due to advanced education and licensing requirements. These positions often require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and can offer salaries significantly higher than entry-level animal care positions. Specialized skills and certifications can further increase earning potential in this field.

What are Animal Care Associates?

Animal Care Associates are professionals responsible for the daily care and well-being of animals in various settings, such as animal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos, or research facilities. Their duties typically include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring health and behavior, and assisting with basic medical care under supervision. They play a crucial role in ensuring that animals are comfortable, healthy, and safe. Good communication, attention to detail, and a genuine concern for animals are essential qualities for this role.

What are some common challenges Animal Care Associates face, and how can they prepare for them?

Animal Care Associates often encounter challenges such as handling animals with varying temperaments, managing physically demanding tasks, and adhering to strict hygiene protocols. To prepare, it's beneficial to build strong observation skills, develop patience, and be comfortable working in fast-paced environments. Learning proper animal restraint techniques and maintaining clear communication with veterinarians and other team members can also make daily responsibilities more manageable and rewarding.

What is the highest paying job in animal welfare?

The highest paying roles in animal welfare are often specialized positions such as veterinary surgeons or zoo directors, which require advanced degrees and extensive experience. These roles typically offer higher salaries due to their responsibilities, expertise, and leadership requirements within organizations focused on animal care and conservation.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Care jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Animal Care jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Animal Care Associate jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Animal Care Associate jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Care Associate jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Care Associate jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Animal Care Associate jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Animal Care Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Care Associate job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,862 per year, or $13.4 per hour.
Animal Care Associate

$17.75 - $19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Charles River Laboratories rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Overview

As an Animal Care Technician for our production site in Raleigh, NC, you will be responsible for the well-being of our research animals. Your contribution will ensure the health of our animals, as well as impact the lives of patients across the world. You will perform routine animal husbandry and other production duties. You will also maintain supplies and environment of environmentally-controlled work area(s).

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! On the job training will be provided.

* This is a temporary opportunity with the potential to be hired as a full-time, employee. On the job training will be provided.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Perform routine animal husbandry duties and monitor daily health and welfare to maintain quality and health of animals.
  • Handle, transfer, and distribute animals, supplies and waste as needed to and from work area(s).
  • Monitor animal health by observing animal behavior, physical appearance, and physical environment.  Identify and report any abnormal findings.
  • Responsible for collecting health monitoring swabs and following health monitoring schedules.
  • Perform physical environment housekeeping duties and production operations according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and/or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Maintain recordkeeping pertaining to animal or supply area inventories.
  • Strictly follow all procedures necessary to maintain the barrier room barrier.
  • Use supplies according to safety guidelines. Perform all job-related duties in accordance with company safety procedures
  • Colony Management
  • Requires the ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

Animal Care Technician I

  • No experience required

Animal Care Technician II

Candidates must possess one of the following:

  • 1 year of related experience and/or training in animal husbandry
  • Associate's Degree or higher level education

The pay range for this position is $17.75 to $19.00 USD per hour.  Please note the range covers levels I - II, salary will depend on level, in addition to factors such as experience, skills, and certification.

About Research Models & Services
Fundamental to basic research and discovery is the use of in vivo models to help identify disease targets and determine potential biological pathways that regulate the condition.  As the world’s leader in the production and distribution of the highest quality research animal, with 1 out of 2 animal models produced for preclinical research globally, we understand the importance of this step. With seven decades of experience, our expertise is unmatched, allowing us to provide you with the perfect model, including disease-specific and preconditioned options, for basic research and beyond.


About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.

We’re committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life.  Based on your position these may include:  bonus/incentives based on performance, 401K, paid time off, stock purchase program, Health and wellness coverage, employee and family wellbeing support programs, and work life balance flexibility.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

It is unlawful in some states (including Massachusetts) to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to crrecruitment_US@crl.com. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For more information, please visit www.criver.com.


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About Charles River

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients' clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market. With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client's unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world. At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people's lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Wilmington, MA, US

Year founded

1947