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Animal Helper Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO (NOW HIRING)

Petco

Animal Care Supervisor

Golden, CO · On-site

Want to help pets live their best lives? We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet ... As a Companion Animal Supervisor , you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the ...

Petco

Animal Care Supervisor

Golden, CO

Want to help pets live their best lives? We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet ... As a Companion Animal Supervisor , you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Arvada, CO · On-site

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Want to help pets live their best lives? We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet ... As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Arvada, CO

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Want to help pets live their best lives? We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet ... As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare ...

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All JobsAnimal Helper JobsAnimal Helper Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO

Animal Helper information

See Highlands Ranch, CO salary details

$11

$18

$24

How much do animal helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal helper in Highlands Ranch, CO is $18.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal helper?

Animal helpers are individuals who assist with the care, handling, and well-being of animals in various settings, such as animal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos, or wildlife rehabilitation centers. Their duties often include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, and helping with enrichment activities. Animal helpers play a crucial role in ensuring animals are comfortable, safe, and healthy, and may also assist with adoptions or educational outreach. This job requires compassion, patience, and a genuine love for animals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal helper?

To thrive as an Animal Helper, you need a basic understanding of animal care, behavior, and handling, often supplemented by a high school diploma or relevant coursework. Familiarity with animal restraint tools, feeding systems, and record-keeping software is typically required. Patience, compassion, and strong communication skills are crucial for effectively working with both animals and people. These skills ensure the safety, well-being, and proper care of animals while supporting smooth collaboration with colleagues and pet owners.

What are common challenges faced by animal helpers when working in shelters or rescue organizations?

Animal Helpers in shelters or rescue organizations often encounter challenges such as managing the emotional stress of caring for abused or neglected animals, handling a high volume of animals with varying needs, and ensuring proper sanitation and safety. Additionally, they may need to coordinate with veterinarians, trainers, and volunteers, which requires strong communication and teamwork skills. Adaptability and compassion are essential for balancing animal welfare with organizational protocols and resource limitations.

What is the difference between Animal Helper vs Animal Care Assistant?

AspectAnimal HelperAnimal Care Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma, certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, rescue centers, pet storesVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, pet care facilities
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in shelters and rescue organizationsWidely used in veterinary clinics and animal care facilities
Search & Comparison IntentPeople looking for entry-level animal support rolesIndividuals seeking more specialized animal care positions

Animal Helper roles typically involve assisting with basic animal care tasks in shelters or rescue centers, often requiring minimal formal certification. Animal Care Assistants usually work in veterinary clinics or more structured environments, often with certifications or training. Both roles support animal well-being but differ in work setting and responsibilities.

What kind of jobs help animals?

Animal Helper is a job that involves caring for and assisting animals in shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos, or wildlife rehabilitation centers. These roles often require knowledge of animal behavior, basic medical skills, and compassion, with some positions needing certifications or training in animal care. Such jobs typically involve hands-on work, including feeding, cleaning, and monitoring animals' health and well-being.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO are:

Animal Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Helper job openings in Highlands Ranch, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,174 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

Animal Care Supervisor

Petco

Golden, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Petco rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 642 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

461st of 740 rated retailers

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?
We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.
Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and people.
  • Pet First - Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

  • Foster the Fun - Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through distinct experiences, products, and services.

  • Let's Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

About Petco:
We're proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years - from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood - the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we're here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
As a Companion Animal Supervisor, you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the health, care, and presentation of our live animals while driving sales, customer experience, and operational excellence within the Companion Animal and Aquatics departments.
You lead through expertise and influence, coaching partners to deliver exceptional animal care and knowledgeable service. You combine a deep commitment to pet welfare with strong operational discipline and business acumen to achieve sales, margin, and shrink goals, all while modeling Petco's leadership expectations.
What You'll Do
Pet First
  • Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all live animals through strict adherence to Petco standards, policies, and veterinary protocols.
  • Complete and oversee hourly animal health checks, wellness cards, and required documentation.
  • Ensure proper handling, care, and documentation of adoption animals.
  • Act immediately and appropriately for sick or injured animals in alignment with veterinary protocols.

Foster the Fun
  • Coach and mentor partners to deliver confident, compassionate, and knowledgeable customer interactions.
  • Create a welcoming, engaging environment in the Companion Animal and Aquatics areas through high presentation standards.
  • Promote a positive culture of teamwork, inclusion, and collaboration.
  • 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 execution.
  • Utilize business insights to analyze trends, identify opportunities, and implement improvement plans.
  • Efficiently order live animals to balance animal welfare, inventory levels, sales, and margin goals.
  • Support Omni-Channel execution, including BOPUS, ship-from-store, curbside, and endless aisle.
  • Serve as Leader on Duty, supporting Pet Care Center operations, communication, safety, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities
Animal Care & Operations
  • Execute Companion Animal and Aquatics operations including animal care, maintenance, ordering, regulatory compliance, CAPI, HAHC, CAPC, and veterinary partnerships.
  • Ensure all animal maintenance tasks are completed according to the Maintenance Task List.
  • Maintain operational, safety, and regulatory standards at all times.
  • Achieve high standards of cleanliness, care, and visual presentation in all animal areas.

Business & Customer Experience
  • Process transactions efficiently while delivering a great customer experience.
  • Monitor sales, margin, and inventory reports to support department performance.
  • Share product and animal care knowledge to help customers make informed decisions using Petco's selling strategy.
  • Assist with additional duties as needed to support business needs.

People Leadership
  • Train, coach, and develop partners in animal care, selling behaviors, and operational routines.
  • Provide ongoing feedback and support to strengthen partner performance and engagement.

What Success Looks Like
  • Animals are healthy, safe, and cared for to Petco's highest standards.
  • Customers trust the team's expertise and return for guidance and solutions.
  • The Companion Animal department meets or exceeds sales, margin, and shrink goals
  • Partners are confident, well-trained, and proud of the care they provide.

What You Bring
Experience & Skills
  • High school Diploma or GED preferred.
  • 1+ year of supervisory experience, preferably in a pet retail environment.
  • Strong knowledge of companion animals, aquatics, and animal care practices.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • High focus on customer service and people development.

Essential Functions & Work Environment
This role is primarily performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment. The Companion Animal Supervisor is expected to be regularly present on the sales floor, leading by example and engaging with partners, customers, and pets.
  • Majority of work is conducted indoors; however, occasional duties may require leaving the Pet Care Center for tasks such as bank deposits, merchandise transport, or community events.
  • The role requires frequent standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.
  • Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Regular engagement with customers on the sales floor, including providing customer assistance and performing cashiering and point-of-sale transactions.
  • Must be able to work in proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.
  • Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • This is a full-time position. Eligibility for full-time status is based on average hours worked, as defined by company policy and applicable law.
  • A limited amount of travel may be required for training, meetings, or community engagement.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
Why You'll Love It Here
  • Purpose-driven work that makes a difference for pets and people.
  • Hands-on leadership experience and career growth opportunities.
  • A supportive, inclusive culture built on teamwork and authenticity.
  • The chance to grow your leadership skills while having fun doing meaningful work

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.
The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.
$18.75 - $29.25
Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits
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