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Animal Rescue Jobs in Mesa, AZ (NOW HIRING)

Maricopa

Animal Care Associate

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$19 - $25.75/hr

Job Type Unclassified Department Animal Care and Control About the Position Are you a passionate animal advocate who is motivated to care for animals by providing a clean and caring kennel ...

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Pinal County

Animal Protection Officer

Casa Grande, AZ

$39K - $59K/yr

Application Tips JOB SUMMARY Perform routine animal control and law enforcement activities to safeguard citizens from dangerous and nuisance animals and enforce state and county laws for the Animal ...

Pinal County

Animal Care Technician

Casa Grande, AZ · On-site

$35K - $49K/yr

Animal handling experience. (include experience on application) Arizona residents must have a valid Arizona Driver's License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 ...

ODYSEA AQUARIUM LLC

SeaTREK Guide

Scottsdale, AZ

Fostering a positive work team atmosphere, attention to animal health, exhibit excellence, and ... Rescue Diver certification, as a minimum, from a recognized SCUBA training organization with a ...

ODYSEA AQUARIUM LLC

SeaTREK Guide

Scottsdale, AZ · On-site

Fostering a positive work team atmosphere, attention to animal health, exhibit excellence, and ... Rescue Diver certification, as a minimum, from a recognized SCUBA training organization with a ...

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Executive Director - Non-Profit

Surprise, AZ · On-site

$66K - $72K/yr

Comfort working in an animal-centered environment and, ideally, prior experience with animal welfare, rescue, or related fields. * Proficiency with common office software, email, and basic digital ...

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Executive Director - Non-Profit

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$66K - $72K/yr

Comfort working in an animal-centered environment and, ideally, prior experience with animal welfare, rescue, or related fields. * Proficiency with common office software, email, and basic digital ...

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Executive Director - Non-Profit

Peoria, AZ · On-site

$66K - $72K/yr

Comfort working in an animal-centered environment and, ideally, prior experience with animal welfare, rescue, or related fields. * Proficiency with common office software, email, and basic digital ...

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All JobsAnimal Rescue JobsAnimal Rescue Jobs in Mesa, AZ

Animal Rescue information

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How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in Mesa, AZ is $20.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $24.81 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 Mesa, AZ? For Animal Rescue jobs in Mesa, AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue jobs in Mesa, AZ look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue jobs in Mesa, AZ are:
What cities near Mesa, AZ are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Mesa, AZ with the most Animal Rescue job openings:
Animal Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue job openings in Mesa, AZ as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 6% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,437 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Relief Veterinarian - No Kill Shelter

Home Fur Good

Phoenix, AZ

$75 - $85/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

We have a specific need to cover multiple shifts the weeks of August 9 and August 16. This includes required dates to cover our clinics on August 12 and 19. Ideally the candiate will come on board much sooner than this to get oriented and prepared for coverage.

What We Offer:

  • Competitive hourly rates (pay range for this role $70 -$80 / hour)
  • A friendly and collaborative team environment
  • Opportunity to care for Shelter Animals as well as pets of public clinic clients
  • Opportunity to impact the lives of treatable, adoptable, homeless cats and dogs; and contribute to our mission to find them forever homes
  • Opportunities to contribute to ongoing improvements for the Shelter Veterinary environment

Opportunities exist now for steady work and potential growth with our organization.

About Us:

Home Fur Good is a shelter-based animal rescue and placement group located near 32nd Street and Shea Boulevard. We’ve been working in the community for over 16 years and have rescued and found homes for over 7000 dogs and cats! We partner primarily with Maricopa and Pinal Counties and regularly rescue dogs with medical needs from those Counties’ euthanasia lists.

What We’re Looking For:
We are seeking a Relief Veterinarian with surgical / dental experience to deliver care via our Low-Cost Clinics available to the public (vaccine and dental clinics), as well as providing care and treatment to our Shelter Animals.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Direct, coordinate and perform screening, diagnosis and basic and emergency medical treatment for our cats and dogs and develop plan of care for our rescues
  • Work closely with other staff to ensure all animals receive appropriate and timely medical care.
  • Practice high quality shelter medicine with an emphasis on problem solving through physical examination and use of in house diagnostics and treatments whenever possible.
  • Prescribe medications as needed. Oversee administration of medications to our animals.
  • Maintain detailed medical records in Pet Point.
  • Communicate with fosters, volunteers and prospective adopters whenever necessary.
  • Have the ability to perform approximately 15 spay and neuters in a day.
  • Have the ability to perform other surgeries and dentals under anesthesia.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • A valid veterinary license in Arizona
  • DVM degree from an accredited college of Veterinary Medicine
  • Experience in high volume shelter medicine preferred
  • Minimum of 2 years of verifiable veterinary experience working in an animal shelter or public intake facility.
  • Must be able to perform soft tissue surgery including laceration repair, mass removal, enucleation and spay/neuter surgery.
  • Must carry insurance with $1MM in coverage.



Employment Type: Full Time
Years Experience: 1 - 3 years
Salary: $75 - $85 Hourly
Bonus/Commission: No