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Animal Rescue Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Client Service Representative

Madison, WI · On-site

$16 - $22/hr

At VCA Animal Hospitals, we take our mission statement - your pet's health is our top priority and excellent service is our goal - very seriously. With every opportunity, we aim to exceed each pet ...

Optional split schedule between Middleton Veterinary Hospital and Spring Harbor Animal Hospital ... Team members actively support Angel's Wish rescue efforts * Dedicated "Angel Fund" helps provide ...

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Animal Rescue information

See Madison, WI salary details

$9

$21

$28

How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in Madison, WI is $21.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.45 and $25.19 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 Madison, WI? The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Madison, WI are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue jobs in Madison, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue jobs in Madison, WI are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Animal Rescue job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue job openings in Madison, WI as of June 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 $44,123 per year, or $21.2 per hour.
Veterinary Technician: Large Animal Hospital (nights And Weekends)

Veterinary Technician: Large Animal Hospital (nights And Weekends)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI • On-site

$22/hr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 20 days ago


University Of Wisconsin-Madison rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

113th of 544 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category: University Staff
Employment Type: Regular
Job Profile: Veterinary Technician I
Job Summary:
Are you looking for an exciting career in veterinary medicine? Whether you're an experienced CVT or a new CVT grad, we want you, and we train!
Join us at UW-Madison's veterinary teaching hospital, and be on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine! This position performs technical responsibilities in support of the 24/7 needs of the Morrie Waud Large Animal Hospital of UW Veterinary Care (UWVC).
Make a real difference in patients' and their owners' lives!
The anticipated schedule for this role will include overnight shifts from Sunday through Thursday (approximately 11:30pm- 7:30am). Scheduling may require alternate nights as needed and some holidays.
Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Monitors animal health status and records, provides nursing care, notifies veterinarian when status changes, and records in the medical record (10%)
  • Tracks supply inventory levels and places replenishment orders (15%)
  • Develops recordkeeping processes, maintains organization of and updates records related to medical procedures and billing (5%)
  • Completes appropriate laboratory tests and collects specimens according to established medical orders and care plans (5%)
  • Assists in the facilitation of trainings for animal care staff and supervises student employees as needed (15%)
  • Prepares, completes, monitors, and documents complex technical animal care procedures and work unit activities, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity (20%)
  • Serves as a point of contact for animal owners and stakeholders providing information and answering questions (15%)
  • Documents and disseminates results to the appropriate entities (15%)

Department:
School of Veterinary Medicine
UW Veterinary Care Hospital
Large Animal
Compensation:
The starting hourly rate for the position is $22.00 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).
Sign-on Bonus of 3% of base pay (based on FTE) to be paid over the first year of employment!
Pay incentives for evening and weekend shifts of $6.00/hour night, $4.80/hour weekend, and $7.80/hour for weekend and night differential on top of the base pay! 100% Flex position also available with an additional $2.00/hour shift differential in addition to the night and weekend differentials.
UW Veterinary Care offers competitive wages (including night and weekend differential, if applicable), outstanding employee benefits https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-employee-benefits-enrollment/benefits-for-employees-covered-by-the-wrs/ ample paid time off https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/leave/paid-leave/ , and financial support for continuing education and pursuing specialty certification.
This position is being posted at Vet Tech levels 1, 2 and 3. Level and pay are commensurate with experience.
Required Qualifications:
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. independently
  • Physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks
  • Experience working with large animals

This position is posted at Vet Tech levels 1, 2 and 3. Level is determined by qualifications based on type of prior veterinary tech experience.
  • To qualify for Level 1: Entry level, new CVT grad or some CVT working experience with no specialization.
  • To qualify for Level 2: Generally over 2 years of veterinary tech experience, may substitute years of experience for specialization.
  • To qualify for Level 3: Veterinary Tech Specialist (VTS), or highly qualified and specialized in a specific area, may have prior experience from another university hospital.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Equine handling skills

Education:
  • Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Required
  • High School Diploma Required
  • Associates Degree Preferred

How to Apply:
Begin the online application process by clicking the 'Apply' button. Applicants are asked to upload a current copy of their resume, outlining their experience as it applies to this position.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is April 1, 2026; however, this position will remain open and applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Contact Information:
Hiring Manager: Kristin Foster, Veterinary Nurse Supervisor, kafoster2@wisc.edu
Human Resources Support: April Schulz, HR Manager, ajschulz2@wisc.edu
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying to.Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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University of Wisconsin logo

About University of Wisconsin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Wisconsin, based in Madison, WI, US, functions in the educational industry and is a renowned and respected institution for higher education. Its official website is wisc.edu. Established in 1848, this public research university is recognized globally for its innovative approach to education, research, creativity, and public service. It embodies a strong commitment to academic freedom and academic excellence. As a major contributor to the Wisconsin Idea, it aims to accomplish its mission of generating well-rounded individuals who will contribute substantially to society, the local community, and the global economy.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Madison, WI, US

Year founded

2005