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Animal Lab Assistant Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Clinic Assistant

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$18 - $22.50/hr

Collect and prepare blood and fecal samples for lab testing. * Support product and service ... Experience in customer service, retail, or animal care is a plus. * Comfortable using tablets and ...

Veterinary Clinic Assistant

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$18 - $22.50/hr

Collect and prepare blood and fecal samples for lab testing. * Support product and service ... Experience in customer service, retail, or animal care is a plus. * Comfortable using tablets and ...

Animal Lab Assistant information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$11

$22

$32

How much do animal lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal lab assistant in Santa Rosa, CA is $22.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.12 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Animal Lab Assistants?

Animal Lab Assistants are professionals who support scientific research by caring for laboratory animals and maintaining their living environments. They are responsible for feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and assisting researchers with experiments. Their work ensures that animals are treated ethically and that experiments are conducted in a safe, controlled environment. Animal Lab Assistants may also help with maintaining records and administering medications as directed by veterinarians or researchers.

What are some common challenges faced by Animal Lab Assistants, and how can they be managed?

Animal Lab Assistants often face challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to protocols, handling animals with care under potentially stressful conditions, and managing time efficiently between various tasks like feeding, cleaning, and record-keeping. To manage these challenges, it's helpful to develop strong organizational skills, stay up to date on animal care guidelines, and communicate effectively with research staff and veterinarians. Regular training and working closely within the team can also help ensure both animal welfare and research integrity are maintained.

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

To thrive as an Animal Lab Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of animal care, handling procedures, and basic laboratory techniques, often supported by a relevant certification or associate degree in animal science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, data recording systems, and compliance regulations such as IACUC protocols is typically expected. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively are essential soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the well-being of laboratory animals, the accuracy of research data, and adherence to ethical and safety standards.

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

AspectAnimal Lab AssistantVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate's degree in veterinary technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentResearch laboratories, animal care facilitiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, pharmaceutical companiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Animal Lab Assistants primarily support research labs and animal care in laboratory settings, often with minimal formal credentials. Veterinary Technicians work in veterinary clinics or hospitals, requiring specialized education and certification. While both roles involve animal care, Veterinary Technicians typically have more advanced training and perform clinical procedures, whereas Animal Lab Assistants focus on supporting research activities.

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Animal Lab Assistant jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Animal Lab Assistant job openings:

Veterinarian- Medical Director- Animal Hospital of Sebastopol

Western Veterinary Partners

Sebastopol, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Western Veterinary Partners rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 47 rated veterinary


Job description

Animal Hospital of Sebastopol
Sebastopol, CA
Veterinarian/Medical Director Opportunity
About Us
Animal Hospital of Sebastopol is seeking an experienced veterinarian to join our 5-doctor team in the heart of Sonoma County. For more than 30 years, we've built a reputation for outstanding client service, excellent medicine, and a kind, collaborative team. We treat every pet as if they were our own and are proud to care for multiple generations of pet families in our community. Our loyal clients trust us to deliver gold-standard medicine while tailoring care to each pet's and clients' unique needs.
Our Culture
What makes us unique is how much we enjoy working together. People often comment on how "happy" we are-and it's true. We love consulting on cases, reviewing radiographs side-by-side, and scrubbing in together when extra hands are needed. No one practices solo here; every patient benefits from the full support of our team. Respect, kindness, and leading with learning is how we treat our patients, clients, and each other.
We're flexible on schedule (Monday-Saturday, closed Sundays) and open to welcoming a future leader as our long-time medical director and partner begins to consider future plans for growing leaders at the practice.
The Team
  • 5-doctor team, with 3 doctors scheduled daily
  • 13 skilled support staff, including 3 RVTs (plus 3 currently in RVT programs)
  • RVTs are fully utilized-blood draws, catheters, anesthesia, dental radiographs, dental cleanings, and surgical support
  • Typical flow: 2 doctors on appointments, 1 doctor on urgent care/procedures (each with dedicated assistants) as well as technical staff running tech appointments.
  • Call-backs shared by both doctors and trained support staff
  • Incredible hospital manager with 20+ years at the practice, passionate about getting team advanced training
  • Strong referral relationships (orthopedic, soft tissue surgery, oncology, neurology, cardiology, internal medicine, dentistry, and 24/7 ER)-collaborative and responsive, with quick turnaround for our patients

The Facility & Equipment
  • Bright, natural light throughout (windows + skylights), kennel floors are heated
  • 4 exam rooms, surgery suite, dedicated dental table, isolation ward, and staff break room
  • Digital radiology and digital dental
  • Full in-house lab, IDEXX, ultrasound, anesthesia monitoring
  • Early stages of an exciting hospital expansion

Our Services
  • Small animal + exotics general practice and urgent care/walk-ins
  • Surgery: soft tissue, foreign body, amputations, dentistry, enucleations, splenectomy, c-section, cystotomy, thoracocentesis, abdominocentesis, and more
  • Low-stress handling always-premedication and accommodations are prioritized (while not formally "Fear Free certified")
  • No convenience euthanasia, declawing, or ear crops
  • Exotics: rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs, ferrets, reptiles, chickens, ducks (no other birds)

The Community
Sebastopol is nestled in the heart of Sonoma County-wine country with a charming small-town, artsy vibe. The climate is mild year-round, perfect for enjoying all the area has to offer: hiking in the redwoods, cycling, farm-to-table dining, world-class wineries, and the ocean just 20 minutes away. With Santa Rosa Airport nearby and San Francisco just about an hour's drive, you'll have easy access to it all.
Compensation & Benefits
We're a high-performing, efficient team that still makes work fun. We offer flexible compensation aligned with production, so you can balance salary and bonuses in a way that works for you.
  • Competitive base + production
  • Sign-on bonus
  • PTO + CE allowance (with additional PTO for CE)
  • Flexible schedule with rotating Saturdays (8 am-2 pm, paid as full shift); closed Sundays
  • Pet care discounts
  • Medical, dental, vision, and parental leave
  • 401k retirement plans

Next Steps
If you're looking for a supportive, kind, and high-performing veterinary team, we'd love to meet you. Apply today to bring your skills and compassion to Animal Hospital of Sebastopol.
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