1

Animal Rescue Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

We are a well-established 2-DVM small animal and exotics practice with deep roots in the community ... Underdog Rescue * Yorkie Luv Rescue * Lost Our Home Pet Rescue * Heeling Heelers Hearts Rescue

You will dispatch animal ambulance, rescue, and investigation calls. Assign calls to officers while monitoring their location and safety. Answer inquiries and provide information to callers, refer ...

You will dispatch animal ambulance, rescue, and investigation calls. Assign calls to officers while monitoring their location and safety. Answer inquiries and provide information to callers, refer ...

You will dispatch animal ambulance, rescue, and investigation calls. Assign calls to officers while monitoring their location and safety. Answer inquiries and provide information to callers, refer ...

Small Animal Veterinarian

Cave Creek, AZ · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center is looking for a Small Animal Veterinarian to join our growing, collaborative team in Cave Creek. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys practicing ...

Check out "Inside Modern Animal" for a glimpse into what makes Modern Animal different. With a technology-forward approach and a deep commitment to our people, Modern Animal is building the next ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Animal Rescue information

See Phoenix, AZ salary details

$9

$20

$27

How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in Phoenix, AZ is $20.90, 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 the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Phoenix, AZ? The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue jobs in Phoenix, AZ look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:
What cities near Phoenix, AZ are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Phoenix, AZ with the most Animal Rescue job openings:
Clinical Assistant Professor- AZ - Farm Animal General Practice - College of Veterinary Medicine

Clinical Assistant Professor- AZ - Farm Animal General Practice - College of Veterinary Medicine

Midwestern University

Glendale, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 hours ago


Midwestern University rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

325th of 553 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Overview
Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for a clinical-track faculty position in Farm Animal General Practice. This is an exciting opportunity for a farm animal veterinarian who enjoys teaching, values hands-on clinical training, and wants to help shape the next generation of day-one-ready veterinarians in a collaborative and growing veterinary college.
The successful candidate will join a dedicated team of faculty members responsible for delivering the farm animal component of the DVM curriculum. This position is ideal for a clinician-educator who enjoys working directly with students in a practical, service-oriented teaching environment and who is interested in helping build and strengthen farm animal clinical education.
This is a non-tenure, clinical-track position with up to 90% of the appointment devoted to clinical service and clinical teaching in the Large Animal Clinic. The remaining 10% will support preclinical laboratory instruction, student learning activities, and scholarly work. Scholarly activity is expected and may include clinical scholarship, educational research, case-based publications, collaborative projects, or other work aligned with the candidate's interests and clinical expertise. The Farm Animal Clinical Service includes both a haul-in outpatient clinic and an ambulatory service serving the Phoenix metropolitan area and surrounding communities. The caseload includes small ruminants, cattle, pet pigs, and camelids.
Faculty development, mentorship, and support for transition into academic teaching are available for candidates entering academia from clinical practice.
About the Animal Health Institute and Large Animal Clinic
The Animal Health Institute includes the Large Animal Clinic, Companion Animal Clinic, and Necropsy and Pathology Center. Together, these facilities provide a strong foundation for clinical teaching, patient care, diagnostic support, and experiential learning.
The Large Animal Clinic is a teaching-focused facility with small herds of cattle and horses, a clinical skills teaching laboratory, large animal simulators and models, arenas, and indoor and outdoor treatment areas for haul-in patients. The clinic is equipped with onsite and portable ultrasound units, portable radiography, endoscopy, laser therapy, and patient-side diagnostic equipment. The farm animal service is supported by anesthesia, surgery, diagnostic laboratory services, clinical pathology, microbiology, and pathology.
The nearby Necropsy and Pathology Center includes a large necropsy floor, gross pathology teaching theater, histopathology laboratory, and teaching areas. The Companion Animal Clinic is a 111,000-square-foot modern veterinary teaching hospital that supports the broader clinical education mission of the College.
Primary Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
  • Provide clinical instruction to veterinary students in farm animal general practice.
  • Participate in the delivery of farm animal clinical services, including haul-in and ambulatory care.
  • Support hands-on clinical skills training for preclinical and clinical students.
  • Contribute to the development of students' clinical reasoning, technical skills, communication skills, and professional confidence.
  • Collaborate with faculty and staff across the Large Animal Clinic, Animal Health Institute, and College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Participate in curriculum development, student assessment, and continuous improvement of farm animal clinical education.
  • Engage in scholarly activity appropriate to a clinical-track faculty appointment.

Required Qualifications
Applicants must have:
  • A DVM or equivalent degree.
  • Eligibility to practice in the United States and obtain veterinary licensure in the State of Arizona.
  • 3-5 years clinical experience with one or more farm animal species such as small ruminants, cattle, camelids, pet pigs or other livestock is required. With demonstrated competence in farm animal general practice, including clinical reasoning, patient assessment, diagnostic and treatment planning, client communication, and patient safety.
  • A strong commitment to student-centered teaching.
  • Effective communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
  • A desire to contribute to the growth and success of a developing veterinary college.

Preferred Qualifications
The following are preferred but not required:
  • Experience teaching veterinary students in clinical or laboratory settings.
  • Experience with ambulatory farm animal practice.
  • Interest in clinical education, curriculum development, or skills-based teaching.
  • Prior academic experience or interest in developing as a faculty member.

About Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit health sciences university with campuses in Glendale, Arizona, and Downers Grove, Illinois. The Glendale campus is home to a broad range of health professions programs, creating a rich interprofessional environment that supports the principles of One Health.
The College of Veterinary Medicine is fully accredited and is committed to preparing confident, capable, and compassionate veterinarians. Our program emphasizes clinical reasoning, hands-on learning, professional development, and practical readiness for veterinary practice.
This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a veterinary college that values practical clinical training, faculty collaboration, and student success. The successful candidate will work in a supportive teaching environment with access to modern facilities, diverse clinical resources, and colleagues committed to preparing students for real-world veterinary practice.
This is an especially strong opportunity for a veterinarian who enjoys mentoring students, building programs, and contributing to a positive and collegial academic culture.
Application Instructions
Interested applicants should submit a letter of intent and curriculum vitae through Midwestern University's online employment portal at:
https://www.midwestern.edu/employment-mwu
Applications should include the names and contact information, including email addresses, of at least three professional references. Although faculty positions are often posted at the Assistant Professor level, appointment at a higher rank may be considered based on the applicant's experience and qualifications.
For more information about this position, please contact:
Clemence Chako, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., DACVIM
Director of Large Animal Clinic
Farm Animal Medicine Department Chair, Professor
College of Veterinary Medicine
Midwestern University
5725 W. Utopia Road
Glendale, AZ 85308
623-806-7572
cchako@midwestern.edu
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday's, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.
Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, and regulation. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

What Midwestern University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom