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Animal Helper Jobs in Springfield, VA (NOW HIRING)

Animal Health Technician

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Learn more about this agency Duties Help The Animal Health Technician is responsible for providing veterinary technical, clinical, and laboratory support for the health care of NZP's non-domestic ...

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Animal Helper information

See Springfield, VA salary details

$11

$18

$24

How much do animal helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal helper in Springfield, VA is $18.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.06 and $20.34 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 Springfield, VA?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Springfield, VA are:

What cities near Springfield, VA are hiring for Animal Helper jobs?

Cities near Springfield, VA with the most Animal Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Helper job openings in Springfield, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,984 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Animal Care Attendant, Grade 14

Montgomery County (MD)

Rockville, MD โ€ข On-site

$55K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

About the Position Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $55,094 to $72,989, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience. Animal Care Attendants Multiple Positions Available WHO WE ARE The Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center (MCASAC) provides high-quality sheltering and care for homeless, abused, and neglected animals in our community and ensures the safety and welfare of County residents.

It's the County's only open-admission municipal shelter. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR The Office of Animal Services (OAS) is seeking Animal Care Attendants who are passionate about helping both animals and people by providing high-quality care for the animals we serve. The ideal candidate can follow verbal and written instructions, communicate effectively, and perform assigned duties with minimal supervision.

Daily interactions include co-workers, citizens, supervisors, veterinarians, volunteers, and others, primarily for routine information exchange about animal care and adoption processes. Strong situational awareness is essential for ensuring personal safety when handling sick, aggressive, or otherwise challenging animals. The role involves lifting materials or animals, typically ranging from twenty (20) to one hundred (100) pounds, with some animals potentially weighing more, and driving is required.

Candidates may also be required to complete a physical fitness assessment as part of the hiring process. What You'll Be Doing An Animal Care Attendant is responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary environment for both animals and people and for providing humane handling and care for all shelter animals. ACA ensures that all animals' nutrition, housing, and basic medical needs are met daily.

Additionally, ACA assists the public with animal admissions and adoptions and promotes responsible pet ownership through conversations with customers. Handle animals of all sizes and temperaments, including those who may be ill or dangerous/aggressive. Maintain and thoroughly clean kennels, cages, and other common areas.

Examples include, but are not limited to, removing animal waste, power-washing kennels, mopping and scrubbing, and disinfecting areas where animals are kept, fed, watered, and generally cared for. Prepare food, feed, and provide water for shelter animals. Wash and sanitize litter and feeding equipment.

Assist customers who are seeking lost pets and those interested in adopting. Respond to questions about specific animals and adoption processes. Monitor sick, quarantined, and injured animals, observing them for unusual physical and behavioral conditions.

Congregate and isolate animals as necessary. Administer medications to animals as dispensed by a veterinarian and maintain accurate health and medication logs. Perform initial health assessment of animals arriving at the facility and administer routine vaccinations.

Participate in the euthanasia process as needed or required. Gather, launder, and replace soiled pet bedding. Socializes and exercises shelter animals daily.

Operate power cleaning equipment. Maintain and thoroughly clean kennels, cages, and other common areas. Wash, sanitize, and disinfect areas and equipment with the proper use of chemicals and cleaning products.

Perform other job-related duties as assigned. A background investigation will be conducted on the selected candidate prior to appointment and will be a significant factor in the hiring decision. A medical exam and drug screen will be required for the selected candidate.

Minimum Qualifications Experience: None. Education: Graduation from high school or completion of a High School Certificate recognized in the State of Maryland. License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.

Medical & Background: The Selected candidate will be required to complete medical clearance before a successful appointment. A background check will be conducted on the selected candidate before appointment, and it will be a significant factor in the hiring decision. Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences Interview selection will be based on the following interview preference criteria: Professional experience working with animals Experience with handling and restraining animals Familiarity with common animal diseases and signs of illness Ability to work weekends, days, nights, and holidays Comfortable working with scared, fractious, vicious, and or dangerous animals Experience with various species of animals Feline Canine Poultry Livestock Equine Wildlife Exotic Reptiles Birds Other IMPORTANT INFORMATION The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position.

This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position. Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws. MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability

For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference. All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status.

Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview. This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume. Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code.

Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.