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Animal Helper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lake City Animal Health & Wellness Ctr

$13 - $14/hr

You are responsible for restocking hospital supplies, helping with post-operative patients, assisting doctors and assistants with animal restraint and exams. You will be responsible for proper ...

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Veterans Health Administration

Animal Caretaker

Omaha, NE · On-site +1

$23.02 - $26.86/hr

Learn more about this agency Duties Help NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 1 year and ... Performs basic animal husbandry duties necessary for the care and feeding and watering of ...

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How much do animal helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal helper in the United States is $17.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $19.47 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.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs?

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Animal Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Helper job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,322 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Shelter Animal Care Technician - Part-Time

Animal Humane Society

Coon Rapids, MN

$16.75/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Animal Humane Society rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

423rd of 786 rated non-profit organizations

Job description

Do you have a passion for the care of animals? Do you enjoy interacting with all animals, including dogs, cats, critters, and birds? Come work as a part-time Animal Care Technician for Animal Humane Society, where caring for animals isn’t just a job – it’s our passion. We are on a mission to compassionately and responsibly create a more humane world for animals and their people.

Description
The Animal Care Technician is responsible for providing humane and compassionate care to all types of shelter animals, ensuring that animals have a safe and clean environment, drinking water, and food.

Benefits (see additional benefits below):
  • Paid Time Off
  • 4 Floating Holidays (per full calendar year)
  • 401k Retirement Plan with a 4% company match

Schedule: Part-time; up to 29 hours/week.
Weekend availability required (Saturday and/or Sunday)
Shifts will be between the times listed below.
Open = Sun-Sat: 7:00am - 3:30pm
Close = Sat, Sun, Mon: 9:30am - 6:00pm | Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri: 11:30am - 8:00 pm

Location: Coon Rapids, MN

Essential Functions
Animal Care:
  • Prepare and distribute food and water to all animals per dietary needs.
  • Perform daily cleaning and sanitization of transfer cages, litter boxes, kennels and animal areas including cleaning up animal feces, urine, vomit and other debris.
  • Monitor animals’ wellbeing, including appearance, appetite, hydration, stools, vomit and activity, reporting any health concerns or behavioral changes.
  • Safely handle animals of varying sociability in a variety of ways including walking, restraining, placing in transport crates, etc. using appropriate PPE procedures.
  • Handle animals who may have transmittable illnesses to other animals and humans, following proper handling, quarantine and PPE procedures.
  • Move animals throughout the shelter as needed.
  • Interpret animal body language, read animal cage cards and communication boards.
  • Escalate animal concerns and communicate directly with appropriate department regarding concerning animal appearance or behavior in a timely manner.
Shelter Support:
  • Assist in enrichment programs for animals in shelter.
  • Assist Veterinary Services with fecal/urine collection of animals.
  • Assist with animal restraint for transportation, medical procedures, collection of animal waste and euthanasia as required.
  • Collaborate with other departments and assist as needed.
General Cleaning:
  • Utilize approved chemicals to clean animal and non-animal areas.
  • Operate dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.
  • Remove garbage and recycling as needed.
  • Sweep and mop animal areas.
Communication and Culture:
  • Communicate in a positive and professional manner with customers, other employees, and volunteers.
  • Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to make AHS a more welcoming environment for employees, volunteers, customers, and the community.
Technology:
  • Accurately update animal records in PetPoint.
  • Manage and view work schedule in Makeshift.
  • Clock in and out of shifts using Paycor.
  • Monitor AHS email and other messaging software.
Other duties as assigned.

Additional Information:
Schedule and Attendance
Required to be on time to scheduled shifts during operational hours which may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
May be required to work at a different site based on department needs.
May be required to attend occasional off-site meetings and events.
Attend and participate in regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with direct leader.

Work Environment
Environment can be dirty, wet, warm and humid.
Exposure to zoonotic diseases and pests such as fleas and ticks.
Possibility of being bitten or scratched.
Exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals and noises, including barking.
May be exposed to extreme weather conditions including but not limited to cold, heat, rain and snow when outside.

Experience:
Animal handling experience preferred.

Skills:
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong attention to detail, multi-tasking and time-management skills.
Proficient with computers, specifically a working knowledge of Microsoft products.

Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. unassisted and 100+ lbs. assisted.
Prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Emotional Demands:
Ability to be emotionally resilient while working in a shelter setting.
Must be comfortable handling a variety of animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including the use of humane euthanasia.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this role. Duties, responsibilities and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits
About AHS
Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help thousands of animals in need across Minnesota.
As one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we’re advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.
Why Work Here
  • Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
  • Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
  • Work-life balance
  • Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care and pet supplies
  • Health insurance coverage for full-time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance; critical illness insurance; hospital indemnity insurance; employee- paid supplemental life; employee-paid accidental death amp; dismemberment; and long-term disability insurance.
  • Employer-paid benefits for full-time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
  • Support for student loans: we are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer
  • Mental Health and Counseling Support: all employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program with 3 free counseling sessions per year
  • 401k with 4% company match for part-time and full-time staff
  • Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
  • Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
  • Paid Time Off for part-time and full-time staff (amount is based on hours worked and FTE status)
  • Paid parent leave for full-time staff

Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.
At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.

What Animal Humane Society employees say

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