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Animal Rescue Jobs in O Fallon, IL (NOW HIRING)

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How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in O'Fallon, IL is $19.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 job is it called when you rescue animals?

The job of rescuing animals is typically called an animal rescue worker or animal rescue technician. These professionals often work for shelters, rescue organizations, or wildlife agencies, and they may need training in animal handling, first aid, and sometimes certifications in animal care or veterinary assistance.
What are popular job titles related to Animal Rescue jobs in O'Fallon, IL? For Animal Rescue jobs in O'Fallon, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near O'Fallon, IL are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near O'Fallon, IL with the most Animal Rescue job openings:
Animal Rescue jobs near you
Animal Care Team Member

Animal Care Team Member

Hawthorne Animal Hospital Ltd

Glen Carbon, IL • On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Summary: The Animal Care Team Member is responsible for taking exceptional care of boarding clients here at Hawthorne Animal Hospital. The employee must perform many important tasks of our hospital such as care and treatment for animals in our boarding department, customer service regarding boarding admissions, discharges, and customer inquiries during the animal's stay, general cleaning duties, and occasionally provide miscellaneous support to the veterinarians, veterinary practice manager, and other staff members. Hours of work range from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., including weekends. This position is an excellent entry level position for those seeking a career in Veterinary Sciences.
Tasks: The Animal Care Team Member shall be responsible for, but is not limited to the following:
1. General Animal Care
  • Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions in order to maintain proper patient nutrition
  • Mixes food, liquid formulas, or food supplements according to instructions, and knowledge of animal species in order to ensure proper patient health
  • Performs animal grooming duties such as bathing, brushing, cutting nails, and cleaning ears to ensure proper maintenance of patients
  • Takes animals outside for consistent bathroom breaks in all weather conditions so they are comfortable in the boarding environment and assuring cages are clean at all times
  • Properly dealing with all kinds of temperaments (i.e. fractious, content, etc.) with pets
  • Develop skills by completing training levels/continuing education opportunities

2. General Medical Care
  • Completes medical records and charting for boarding pets
  • Observes animals hourly to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury
  • Assists with restraining animals
  • Observes and record animal information such as physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake
  • Identify vaccines that are not up to date that are required to board at Hawthorne, recognize signs of food allergies
  • Contacts owners for permission to secure treatment for possible sick or injured animals

3. Cleaning and Stocking Duties
  • Performs facility laundry and cleaning; organizes, maintains, and disinfects animal quarters, such as play areas, pens, cages and equipment to maintain a clean and healthy healthcare environment. This includes vacuuming, mopping, changing garbage, dusting, following a daily cleaning list and anything else requested.

4. Customer Service
  • Get to know the client's story; make your interactions relational, and not transactional.
  • Schedule appointments, admit boarders, answer client questions and provide client communication during pet's stay, check-out clients
  • Assists clients with handling or moving multiple pets in order to decrease stress associated with veterinarian visits and increase positive experiences
  • Responds to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, or facility activities

5. Attend all staff and department training meetings
6.Completes other duties as needed
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the job.
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Drive to provide excellent patient care with love and compassion to all pets
  • Oral Expression- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. This includes the ability to speak confidently about boarding services, and the ability to translate vaccination records along with asking questions when a task is unclear, or asking for assistance with risky, painful or aggressive pets
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or our animal clients in order to make improvements, take corrective action, or improve the client's health.
  • Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work with or without supervision.
  • Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Exposure to all weather elements: Pets go outside in all weather.
  • Knowledge of Medical Terminology- Knowledge of basic medical terminology in order to be able to effectively assist with minor procedures when necessary. This includes, but is not limited to the ability to read prescription labels, understand dosing instructions, and assisting with administering medications. (Training provided).
  • Knowledge of Vaccines and Preventions- Knowledge of vaccines requirements, protocols and preventions in order to to be able to effectively accept boarding patients. This includes the ability to read and understand vaccine history, understand due dates and provide options of care when needed. (Training provided).
  • Interacting with Technology- Using computers and computer systems along with other office equipment in order to enter data or process information.
  • Mathematics- The ability to perform basic mathematics, and learn to decipher difference between measurements (oz, cup, teaspoon, tablespoon, gallon.
  • Team Orientation- The ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
  • Self-Motivation- Taking initiative to continue or complete a task or activity without constant persuasion or supervision.

Qualifications:
In order to be eligible for the animal care position, applicants must adhere to the following:
  • Pass a drug screen test
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Be able to, on occasion of need, lift at least fifty pounds of weight

Reports to: Animal Care Supervisor(s), Hospital Administrator and Human Resources
Often works with: Animal Care Team and Veterinary Technicians
JOB CODE: Animal Care

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