ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animal Rescue Team Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pixel Fund

Non-Profit Animal Rescue Internship

Oviedo, FL

$12.75 - $15.25/hr

It is truly a team effort of love and lifesaving. The Pixel Fund is currently looking for a forward ... animal rescue, public relations or marketing. We'd love a student who can bring new and fresh ideas ...

The Pixel Fund

Non-Profit Animal Rescue Internship

Oviedo, FL · On-site

$12.75 - $15.25/hr

It is truly a team effort of love and lifesaving. The Pixel Fund is currently looking for a forward ... animal rescue, public relations or marketing. We'd love a student who can bring new and fresh ideas ...

Happy Life Animal Rescue

Be Seen First

Animal Care Technician

Pawling, NY · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Happy Life is committed to helping rescue dogs and cats not just from the local area but also ... Self-motivated, great attitude, and team-oriented * Work efficiently with minimal oversight to ...

Happy Life Animal Rescue

Be Seen First

Animal Care Technician

Pawling, NY · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Happy Life is committed to helping rescue dogs and cats not just from the local area but also ... Self-motivated, great attitude, and team-oriented * Work efficiently with minimal oversight to ...

All4Paws Animal Rescue

Be Seen First

Animal Caretaker

Pawleys Island, SC · On-site

$12 - $13/hr

Looking for a compassionate animal lover to join our non-profit rescue family. Fulfillment comes in ... Must enjoy people, animals and working as a team! Respect Responsibility Compassion Customer ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsAnimal Rescue Team Jobs

Animal Rescue Team information

See salary details

$9

$21

$27

How much do animal rescue team jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue team in the United States is $21.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animal Rescue Team member, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Rescue Team member, you need a solid understanding of animal behavior, basic veterinary care, and crisis response—often supported by relevant certifications or experience in animal handling. Familiarity with animal transport equipment, humane traps, and incident management systems like ICS is typically required. Compassion, teamwork, and resilience are vital soft skills for handling stressful situations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring animal welfare, safety, and effective rescue operations during emergencies.

What are some common challenges faced by members of an Animal Rescue Team, and how can these be managed on the job?

Members of an Animal Rescue Team often encounter fast-paced and emotionally demanding situations, such as rescuing injured or distressed animals in unpredictable environments. Challenges include managing stressful scenarios, making quick decisions, and ensuring both personal and animal safety. To manage these challenges, team members rely on thorough training, strong communication with colleagues, and strict adherence to protocols. Building resilience and participating in debriefings after tough rescues also help maintain well-being and effectiveness on the job.

What are Animal Rescue Teams?

Animal Rescue Teams are groups of trained professionals and volunteers who respond to emergencies involving animals in distress. Their work includes rescuing animals from natural disasters, accidents, abuse, or neglect, and providing immediate care and shelter. These teams often collaborate with local authorities, veterinarians, and animal shelters to ensure the safety and well-being of animals. Their goal is to save lives, relieve suffering, and promote humane treatment of animals in crisis situations.

What is the difference between Animal Rescue Team vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectAnimal Rescue TeamAnimal Shelter Worker
CertificationsFirst aid, animal handling, rescue certificationsAnimal care, shelter management certifications
Work EnvironmentField rescues, outdoor settings, emergency situationsIndoor shelter facilities, daily animal care
Employer & IndustryRescue organizations, NGOs, emergency servicesAnimal shelters, municipal facilities
Search & Comparison IntentRescue operations, emergency animal aidAnimal care, shelter operations

Animal Rescue Teams focus on emergency rescue and field operations to save animals in distress, often working outdoors and in urgent situations. Animal Shelter Workers primarily manage daily care and sheltering of animals within facilities. While both roles involve animal care, their work environments and specific responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Animal Rescue Team jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Rescue Team jobs? Cities with the most Animal Rescue Team job openings:
What states have the most Animal Rescue Team jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Rescue Team jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue Team jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue Team jobs are:
Animal Rescue Team jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue Team job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Internship, and 75% Full Time. Highlights an 23% Physical, and 77% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $43,783 per year, or $21 per hour.

Program Manager, Shelter Operations

humaneworld

Hagerstown, MD

$56.60K - $85K/yr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

The general salary range for this full-time position is $56,600 – 85,000.. Salary offers will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, skills, training and education. 
 
Humane World for Animals, a global leader in animal advocacy and protection, is seeking a Program Manager, Shelter Operations for the Global Animal Rescue Team. In this position you will oversee the sheltering and daily care of animals in shelters run by the Global Animal Rescue Team, including scheduling shelter staff, assigning daily care teams, and identifying resources and needs for animal care. Guide policies and procedures for animal sheltering and husbandry in shelters and builds capacity for rescue and response.
 
Responsibilities:

• Oversees shelter operations at the Hagerstown center and ensures sheltered animals are safely and securely housed within the facility and that their daily needs are met;
• Makes daily care team assignments and holds daily briefs and debriefs to keep care teams and staff up to date on process changes and daily activities. Provides daily reports to all Global Animal Rescue Team staff on sheltering activities;
• Engages and manages animal care staff and volunteers, ensures caregivers are adequately trained to perform their roles by teaching daily care practices and modeling best practices in sheltering. Evaluates the work of animal care staff and volunteers;
• Participates in the planning, deployment, set up, staffing, management, and operation as a core component of leadership at other Global Rescue Animal Team sheltering operations, as assigned;
• Assists in the development and implementation of procedures in Animal Rescue Team sheltering operations that are consistent with industry best practices;
•  Assists in the shelter with animal care and husbandry, as needed;
• Monitors the functionality of equipment and the inventory of shelter supplies.  Places orders for supplies and equipment and schedules repairs, as needed;
• Performs other duties or responsibilities, as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Shelter Management Studies, Zoology, Animal Behavior, Veterinary Science, or another related field, or equivalent work experience, required;
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in animal shelter management, emergency shelter management or another related field required;
• Management/supervisory experience strongly preferred;
• Willing and able to travel and work a flexible schedule as needed for emergencies;
• A valid driver’s license is required, and a clean driving record is strongly preferred with the ability to demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record while employed;
• Animal handling skills and the ability to handle animals under stress;
• Knowledge of animal protection issues, animal control and sheltering practices as well as animal shelter best practices and herd health management;
• Working knowledge and experience with NIMS/ICS or commitment to take and pass required courses within six months;
• Knowledge of Fear Free, Force Free, LIMA and Positive Reinforcement training and behavior concepts and commitment to creating a gentle, kind environment for animals;
• Ability to lead and guide staff to meet department and organizational goals.  Strong knowledge of staff management practices.  Flexible, willing to learn, and anticipates the needs of self and staff;
• Ability to set a positive tone for employees during their day;
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self-motivated and proactive;
• Ability to manage issues requiring problem resolution and conflict management in a sometimes emotionally charged environment with excellent interpersonal and intervention skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Attention to detail and commitment to excellence, demonstrated by the delivery of quality and timely outcomes;
• Strong interest in animal protection issues preferred.
This position is in Hagerstown, MD

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, marital or parental status or protected veteran status.  EOE 

Apply