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Animal Rescue Volunteer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

Events Intern

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $15.50/hr

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking an enthusiastic and organized Events Intern to support ... Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners. * Comfort ...

ProspectBArk

Experienced Dog Handler

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$17 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Are you someone who has already worked as a dog walker, pet sitter, dog daycare handler, groomer, vet tech, vet assistant, shelter staff, or animal rescue volunteer? WELL, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER. This ...

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

Ranch Hand

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a dependable and compassionate Second Chance Ranch ... Provide volunteers with clear direction while promoting safe and humane animal-handling practices.

ProspectBArk

Experienced Dog Handler

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$17 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Are you someone who has already worked as a dog walker, pet sitter, dog daycare handler, groomer, vet tech, vet assistant, shelter staff, or animal rescue volunteer? WELL, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER. This ...

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How much do animal rescue volunteer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue volunteer in the United States is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal rescue volunteer?

Animal rescue volunteers are individuals who dedicate their time and effort to help save, care for, and rehabilitate animals in need. They often work with shelters, rescue organizations, or wildlife rehabilitation centers to assist with tasks such as feeding, cleaning, socializing animals, transporting them, and sometimes assisting with adoption events. Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of animals and supporting the organizations’ missions. Their efforts help give animals a second chance at finding loving, permanent homes.

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

AspectAnimal Rescue VolunteerAnimal Shelter Worker
Required CredentialsNone mandatory; some experience or training preferredHigh school diploma; training provided on-site
Work EnvironmentOutdoor rescue sites, emergency situationsIndoor shelter facilities, daily care
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, rescue organizationsAnimal shelters, humane societies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Animal Rescue Volunteers primarily assist in outdoor rescue efforts and emergency situations, often with minimal formal credentials. Animal Shelter Workers typically work within shelter facilities, providing daily care and support, often with basic training. Both roles are vital in animal welfare but differ mainly in work environment and scope of responsibilities.

What skills do you need to volunteer as an animal rescue volunteer?

Animal rescue volunteers need strong compassion, patience, and the ability to handle animals safely. Basic knowledge of animal behavior, good communication skills, and physical stamina are also important. Some organizations may require training or certifications in animal handling or first aid.

Where are animal rescue volunteers needed the most?

Animal rescue volunteers are most needed in areas with high populations of stray, abandoned, or abused animals, often in regions with limited shelter resources. Urban and rural communities facing animal overpopulation or disaster-affected zones typically require more volunteer support for rescue, care, and adoption efforts.

What challenges do animal rescue volunteers face and how can they be managed?

Animal rescue volunteers often encounter emotionally challenging situations, such as caring for injured or neglected animals and witnessing difficult cases of abuse or abandonment. Managing these challenges involves practicing self-care, seeking support from fellow volunteers or supervisors, and focusing on the positive impact of your efforts. Team collaboration and regular training can also help volunteers handle stressful scenarios more effectively and ensure the well-being of both the animals and themselves.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an animal rescue volunteer?

To thrive as an Animal Rescue Volunteer, you need a basic understanding of animal care, handling techniques, and a genuine passion for animal welfare, though formal qualifications are often not required. Familiarity with animal shelter management systems, intake protocols, and sometimes animal first aid training can be helpful. Strong communication, teamwork, and emotional resilience are essential soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of animals, effective collaboration with staff, and providing compassionate care during often stressful situations.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs?

The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs are:

What states have the most Animal Rescue Volunteer jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue Volunteer jobs look for?

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Animal Rescue Volunteer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue Volunteer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Full Time, and 89% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,804 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Events Intern

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$12.75 - $15.50/hr

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago

Animal Rescue League of Iowa rating

3.3

Company rating: 3.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

767th of 772 rated non-profit organizations

Job description

Events Intern

Gain hands-on event experience while supporting animals in need.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking an enthusiastic and organized Events Intern to support our Events team. This unpaid internship provides hands-on experience in nonprofit event planning, fundraising, marketing, community engagement, and donor support while contributing to events that raise awareness and critical support for animals in our care.

This is a great opportunity for someone interested in events, nonprofit work, fundraising, marketing, communications, hospitality, or community engagement who wants to build professional skills in a mission-driven environment.

Schedule
  • Unpaid internship
  • Flexible schedule based on availability and event needs
  • Evening and weekend availability required for some events
  • Internships are available year-round
  • Work may take place at ARL locations and occasionally off-site at event venues
About the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources. Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.

What You’ll Do
  • Support the planning, preparation, and execution of ARL events.
  • Assist with event logistics, timelines, supplies, setup, and tear-down.
  • Help recruit donations for auctions, raffles, and event needs.
  • Assist with event pages, ticketing software, registrations, and attendee information.
  • Create or support content for social media, the ARL website, and event promotion.
  • Help develop marketing and social media plans to encourage community participation.
  • Assist with scheduling rentals, birthday parties, and other event-related activities.
  • Communicate with local businesses, sponsors, donors, and community partners.
  • Learn creative fundraising strategies that support nonprofit events and animal welfare.
What We’re Looking For
  • Interest in event planning, fundraising, marketing, nonprofit work, or community engagement.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Creativity, flexibility, and willingness to help with a variety of projects.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where priorities may shift.
  • Dependable, professional, and open to learning.
  • Availability for some evenings and weekends based on event needs.
Internship Experience

This internship is designed as an opportunity for professional development, learning, and skill building. Events Interns gain exposure to nonprofit event planning, fundraising, marketing, donor engagement, community partnerships, and the behind-the-scenes work that helps make mission-driven events successful.

This is an unpaid internship and should not be viewed as paid employment.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This internship may involve sitting, standing, walking, event setup and tear-down, moving supplies, and supporting events in both indoor and outdoor settings. Work may take place at ARL locations and off-site event venues.

The role may involve exposure to animals, animal dander, moderate noise, outdoor weather conditions, and busy event environments while following established safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the internship experience.

Why Join the ARL?

As an Events Intern, you will help support events that raise awareness and critical resources for animals in need. Your work will contribute to meaningful community experiences while helping fund programs and services that support animals and the people who love them.

If you are enthusiastic, organized, and excited to gain hands-on event experience in a mission-driven nonprofit environment, we would love to have you join our team.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.

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