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Animal Rescue Jobs in Cary, NC (NOW HIRING)

Animal Resources Attendant

Pittsboro, NC · On-site

$35K - $45K/yr

Return to the Are you an animal lover with a heart for rescue and a drive to make a real difference? We're looking for a passionate, hardworking, and compassionate Animal Resources Attendantto join ...

Animal Technician Location: Durham, NC 27703-8481 Duration: 12+ Months (Possible Extension) Job Summary: * Performs daily laboratory animal care duties including animal health monitoring, animal ...

Laboratory Animal Care Specialist This individual will perform daily laboratory animal care duties including animal health monitoring, animal husbandry, and routing cleaning and sanitation. All work ...

This individual will perform daily laboratory animal care duties including animal health monitoring, animal husbandry, and routing cleaning and sanitation. All work assignments will be performed ...

Animal Care Technician

Raleigh, NC

$15.25 - $20.75/hr

The term "animal resources" includes not only animal housing facilities but also animal husbandry services, veterinary care, technical services, expertise in laboratory animal technology and medicine ...

The term "animal resources" includes not only animal housing facilities but also animal husbandry services, veterinary care, technical services, expertise in laboratory animal technology and medicine ...

Animal Shelter Attendant

Smithfield, NC · On-site

$38K - $64K/yr

The animal shelter is extremely busy with lots of hands-on animal care in addition to providing excellent customer service to the general public. Responsibilities include processing incoming animals ...

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Animal Rescue information

See Cary, NC salary details

$9

$19

$25

How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in Cary, NC is $19.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.06 and $23.17 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 Cary, NC? The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Cary, NC are:
What cities near Cary, NC are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Cary, NC with the most Animal Rescue job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue job openings in Cary, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,561 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

$35K - $45K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

WELCOME TO CHATHAM COUNTY'S APPLICATION PROCESS. To Apply: Become a part of the best local government in North Carolina click "Apply" in the top right corner. All sections of the application, including work experience, MUST be completed.

Please include the last ten (10) years of employment history. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applications are stored on a secure site accessible only by authorized personnel.

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Return to the Chatham County Homepage. Job Description Are you an animal lover with a heart for rescue and a drive to make a real difference. We're looking for a passionate, hardworking, and compassionate Animal Resources Attendant to join our dedicated team at the shelter.

Every day, you'll play a hands-on role in providing comfort, care, and a fresh start for animals in need. From feeding and cleaning to cuddles and enrichment, your work will help transform lives, both animal and human. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves, get a little dirty, and help create a safe, loving environment for pets on their journey to forever homes, we'd love to meet you.

Performs intermediate skilled administrative and technical support work assisting with a variety of administrative, custodial, and medical tasks including call dispatch, records maintenance, daily cleaning, and animal care facilitation, assisting the public and performing related work as apparent or assigned. This position requires a Certified Euthanasia Technician and Certified Rabies status. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Animal Shelter Manager and serves at the pleasure of the Chatham County Sheriff.

Essential Functions Acts as a receptionist by greeting visitors, providing information, answering questions, and responding to inquiries and/or complaints over a wide variety of issues including animals available for adoption, animal reclamations/transfers, shelter policies and services, referrals, etc.; Facilitates animal care daily by feeding, watering, bathing, grooming, and administering medications and vaccines as needed; Dispatches calls to Animal Resource Officers; Assists the public with the completion of adoption documentation and other applicable paperwork and applicable counseling; Assists with rabies clinics as well as the preparation and packaging of any rabies specimens as needed; Assists with the daily cleaning and disinfection of facilities, including spot cleaning of kennels as necessary; Maintains documentation of all veterinary/medical routine health and disease assessments; Schedules spay/neuter appointments for shelter-owned animals; Assists with euthanasia as needed; Transports and stocks animal shelter food and supplies; Enters a variety of data into the computer, checks and reviews data for accuracy, completeness, and conformance to established standards and procedures, and enters and retrieves sensitive and restricted information into the computer system including records of all animals and financial transactions; Works with the contract veterinarian to ensure animals are given the proper medical treatment; Keeps inventory of all Animal Resource Center supplies; Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED, moderate experience working with the public, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a basic knowledge of animal species, common animal diseases, and basic animal handling techniques

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Thorough knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and administrative techniques; Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic; Thorough knowledge of the organization and functions of the department and general administrative policies and practices; Basic knowledge of species and breed identification of a variety of domestic and common wild animals as well as the symptoms and behavior associated with common animal diseases; Basic knowledge of animal behavior and handling of common domestic and wild animals; methods and equipment used in the care and handling of common domestic and wild animals; Basic knowledge of proper cleaning methods and the safe usage of cleaning materials, disinfectants, janitorial tools, and equipment; Ability to keep office records and to prepare accurate reports from file sources; Ability to handle and control animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency conditions; Ability to operate and maintain a wide variety of animal control tools and equipment; Ability to perform and organize work independently; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public. Physical Requirements This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, handling or feeling and repetitive motions, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas orally; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic)

Special Requirements Must possess or obtain Euthanasia Technician certification upon employment. Must possess or obtain Rabies Vaccinator certification upon employment. Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.

Chatham County is fully committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) principles and issues this anti-discrimination/EEO compliance clause to support and maintain employee's rights and responsibilities relating to equal employment. The core of equal employment opportunity is the right to work and advance on the basis of merit, ability, and potential, free from prejudice or discrimination. In accordance with the applicable anti-discrimination statutes, executive orders, and other authorities, Chatham County protects employees against discrimination, to the fullest extent of law, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, whistleblower activity, parental status, and military service (past, present, or future), and against retaliation for participation in EEO activity or opposition to discrimination.