1

Animal Rescue Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Technician I, Animal Care

Ottawa, ON · On-site

CA$52K - CA$66K/yr

Animal Care and Veterinary Service Campus: Main Campus Union Affiliation: SSUO Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/07/23 Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/08/03 Hours per week: 35 ...

Small Animal Veterinarian

Picton, ON · On-site

CA$90K - CA$200K/yr

The Picton Animal Hospital is seeking a friendly and compassionate Small Animal Veterinarian. Our busy practice is located in beautiful Prince Edward County, a very popular tourist destination that ...

CA$15 - CA$16/hr

Join us! We're sniffing out our next Lead Animal Care Attendant at Endless Love Pet Palace -a confident, compassionate, chaos-capable packmate to help guide the daily wag. Can you manage a mop, a ...

Associate Veterinarian - Mitchell Animal Hospital, Kitchener, ON At Mitchell Animal Hospital, we're more than just a veterinary clinic, we are a team that genuinely enjoys working together. We laugh ...

Associate Veterinarian - Mitchell Animal Hospital, Kitchener, ON At Mitchell Animal Hospital, we're more than just a veterinary clinic, we are a team that genuinely enjoys working together. We laugh ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Animal Rescue information

See Ontario salary details

$7

$17

$31

How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in Ontario is $17.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.74 and $20.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do you become an animal rescue worker?

To become an animal rescue worker, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant experience volunteering or working with animals. Many organizations prefer candidates with knowledge of animal behavior, basic veterinary skills, and certifications such as pet first aid or animal handling courses.

Can you make a living running an animal rescue?

Animal rescue work is often volunteer-based or low-paid, with many rescuers relying on donations, grants, and personal funds. While some organizations offer salaries or stipends, making a full-time living typically requires additional income sources or running a larger, well-funded operation. Skills in fundraising, grant writing, and management can improve financial stability in this field.

What is animal rescue?

Animal rescue refers to the process of saving animals from dangerous, abusive, or neglectful situations and providing them with shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation. Animal rescue organizations work to protect stray, abandoned, or mistreated animals, often finding them foster or permanent homes. The main goal is to ensure the well-being and safety of animals, promoting responsible pet ownership and preventing cruelty. Rescued animals may include pets like dogs and cats, as well as wildlife in distress. Volunteers and professionals collaborate to give these animals a second chance at life.

What are some common challenges faced by animal rescue professionals, and how can they effectively address them?

Animal rescue professionals often encounter emotionally challenging situations, such as witnessing animal neglect or working with traumatized animals. They may also face physical demands, unpredictable schedules, and the need to make quick decisions in high-stress environments. Building emotional resilience, practicing self-care, and collaborating closely with veterinary staff, volunteers, and local authorities can help manage these challenges. Additionally, ongoing training and open communication within the team are essential for maintaining a supportive work environment and ensuring the best outcomes for rescued animals.

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

To thrive as an Animal Rescue Worker, you need knowledge of animal handling, first aid, and welfare, often supported by relevant certifications or experience with animals. Familiarity with animal control software, rescue equipment, and sometimes animal transport vehicles is typically required. Compassion, resilience, and strong communication skills are vital for building trust with animals and collaborating with the public and rescue organizations. These skills ensure the safety, effective care, and successful rehoming of animals in challenging and often urgent situations.

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

AspectAnimal RescueAnimal Shelter Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; certifications in animal handling or rescue techniquesHigh school diploma; training in animal care and shelter operations
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor rescues, emergency situationsIndoor shelter facilities, animal care areas
Employer & Industry UsageRescue organizations, non-profits, government agenciesShelters, humane societies, animal control agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Animal Rescue involves actively seeking out and rescuing animals in distress, often in outdoor or emergency settings. Animal Shelter Workers primarily care for animals within shelter facilities, focusing on daily care and adoption processes. Both roles require animal handling skills and work within animal welfare organizations, but their work environments and specific duties differ significantly.

What is the highest paid job working with animals?

The highest paid jobs working with animals typically include veterinary surgeons and specialized animal researchers, with veterinarians earning a median annual salary of around $100,000 or more. Advanced roles often require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and specialized certifications, and they involve working in clinics, research facilities, or zoos.

Is rescuing animals a career?

Animal rescue can be a career involving roles such as animal shelter workers, rescue technicians, or wildlife rehabilitators. These positions often require knowledge of animal care, relevant certifications, and physical ability to handle animals in various environments.
What are popular job titles related to Animal Rescue jobs in Ontario? For Animal Rescue jobs in Ontario, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue jobs in Ontario look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue jobs in Ontario are:
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue job openings in Ontario as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,257 per year, or $17.4 per hour.

Technician I, Animal Care

Uottawa

Ottawa, ON • On-site

CA$52K - CA$66K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Follow us on LinkedIn

Posting Reason:

New Position

Job Type:

Employee

Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments):

12

Job Family:

Laboratory Support

# of Open Positions:

1

Faculty/Service - Department:

Animal Care and Veterinary Service

Campus:

Main Campus

Union Affiliation:

SSUO

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/07/23

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/08/03

Hours per week:

35

Salary Grade:

SSUO Grade 05

Salary Range:

$52,350.00 - $66,122.00

Position Purpose
Reporting to the Associate-Supervisor, Animal Care Operations, the incumbent participates in the delivery of the program of animal care under the supervision of a team leader in order to maintain Animal Care and Veterinary Service's (ACVS) high standards of animal care and welfare and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities will include daily observation of animals, provision of clean feed and bedding, and routine facility sanitation procedures of all work areas within the vivarium.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

  • Perform daily health observation of animals and monitor and record environmental parameters of the animal housing room.

  • Provide clean feed and bedding for animals, perform routine animal cage change procedures.

  • Provide husbandry care and enrichment to resident animals appropriate to the specific protocol and housing requirements.

  • Perform assigned preparation or cleaning, sanitation and disinfection of caging and related equipment used to restrain, house or otherwise maintain laboratory animals as required.

  • Assist in quality assurance tracking of caging materials and other equipment as scheduled.

What you will bring:

  • A secondary school diploma along with additional training in animal health-related fields. Continuing education in the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) Associate Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (ARLAT3) certification program is encouraged.

  • Knowledge of the basic principles of laboratory animal husbandry is an asset.

  • Ability to follow detailed instructions.

  • Ability to function well in a team environment and be able to adhere to written Standard Operating Procedures and follow verbal instructions.

  • Ability to identify problems such as animal health problems, daily task conflict or equipment failure and communicate problems and observations to supervisor.

  • Willingness and ability to work after hours, evenings, weekends and statutory holidays as assigned.

  • Willingness to provide proof of vaccination history as per standard provincial protocols.

  • Willingness and ability to work with a respirator (e.g. PAPR).

#LI-DP

Key Competencies at uOttawa:
Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa:
Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.
The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact hrtalentmanagement@uottawa.ca to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above; you can click here to find out more.
If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 - Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.