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Animal Rescue Jobs in Apple Valley, MN (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

Animal Surgical Technician

Minneapolis, MN

$23 - $30/hr

We have connections with multiple animal science companies who have job openings in all segments! Description Summary: Provides care for laboratory animals before and after surgical procedures ...

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All JobsAnimal Rescue JobsAnimal Rescue Jobs in Apple Valley, MN

Animal Rescue information

See Apple Valley, MN salary details

$10

$21

$28

How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in Apple Valley, MN is $21.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $25.67 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 the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Apple Valley, MN? The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Apple Valley, MN are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue jobs in Apple Valley, MN look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue jobs in Apple Valley, MN are:
What cities near Apple Valley, MN are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Apple Valley, MN with the most Animal Rescue job openings:
Animal Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue job openings in Apple Valley, MN as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,953 per year, or $21.6 per hour.
Shelter Animal Care Technician

Shelter Animal Care Technician

Animal Humane Society

Golden Valley, MN

$16.75/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Animal Humane Society rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

418th of 710 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 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.
Pay: $16.75 hourly

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 between the hours of 7am-8pm Tuesday-Friday and 7am-6pm Saturdays-Mondays
Location: Golden Valley, 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 ADP.
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.
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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