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Animal Rescue Jobs in Tacoma, WA (NOW HIRING)

Animal Technician I

Seattle, WA · On-site

$21.30 - $28.48/hr

Conduct laboratory animal care and associated support duties under close supervision according to standards set forth by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) to maintain ...

TAHOMA ANIMAL HOSPITAL (Spanaway, WA) is Looking for a MIXED ANIMAL VETERINARIAN (EQUINE INTEREST a PLUS) to join our team! Tahoma Veterinary Hospital has been treating the pets of Spanaway, Graham ...

TAHOMA ANIMAL HOSPITAL (Spanaway, WA) is Looking for a MIXED ANIMAL VETERINARIAN (EQUINE INTEREST a PLUS) to join our team! Tahoma Veterinary Hospital has been treating the pets of Spanaway, Graham ...

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Animal Rescue information

See Tacoma, WA salary details

$10

$22

$29

How much do animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal rescue in Tacoma, WA is $22.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.56 and $26.83 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 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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Tacoma, WA?

The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Tacoma, WA are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue jobs in Tacoma, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue jobs in Tacoma, WA are:

What cities near Tacoma, WA are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs?

Cities near Tacoma, WA with the most Animal Rescue job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Rescue job openings in Tacoma, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,996 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

$21.30 - $28.48/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Seattle Children's rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 65 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 1,064 rated hospitals


Job description

Conduct laboratory animal care and associated support duties under close supervision according to standards set forth by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) to maintain full accreditation status with the Association for Assessment & Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC).
Required Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent experience.
Required Credentials
N/A.
Preferred
Some laboratory/animal husbandry experience with mice and rats.
Experience operating cage washers and autoclaves.
Compensation Range
$21.30 - $28.48 per hour
Salary Information
This compensation range was calculated based on full-time employment (2080 hours worked per calendar year). Offers are determined by multiple factors including equity, skills, experience, and expertise, and may vary within the range provided.
Disclaimer for Out of State Applicants
This compensation range is specific to Seattle, positions located outside of Seattle may be compensated differently depending on various factors
Benefits Information
Seattle Children's offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 403(b), life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more. Additional details on our benefits can be found on our website www.seattlechildrens.org/careers/benefits.
About Us
Hope. Care. Cure. These three simple words capture what we do at Seattle Children's - to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Are you ready to engage with a mission-driven organization that is life-changing to many, and touches the hearts of all? #HOPECARECURE
Our founding promise to the community is as valid today as it was over a century ago: we will care for all children in our region, regardless of the families' ability to pay. Together, we deliver superior patient care, advance new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and serve as the pediatric and adolescent, academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho - the largest region of any children's hospital in the country.
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Seattle Children's among the nation's best children's hospitals. For more than a decade, Seattle Children's has been nationally recognized in key specialty areas. We are honored to be one of the nation's very best places to care for children and the top-ranked pediatric hospital in Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
As a Magnet designated institution, we recognize the importance of hiring and developing great talent to provide best-in-class care to the patients and families we serve. Our organizational DNA takes form in our core values: Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Equity and Innovation. Whether it's delivering frontline care to our patients in a kind and caring manner, practicing the highest standards of quality and safety, or being relentlessly curious as we work towards eradicating childhood diseases, these values are the fabric of our culture and community. The future starts here.
Our Commitment
Seattle Children's welcomes people of all experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts as this is what drives our spirit of inquiry and allows us to better connect with our patients and families. Our organization recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
The people who work at Seattle Children's are members of a community that seeks to respect and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique. Each of us is empowered to be ourselves.
Seattle Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and Affirmative Action Employer.

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About Seattle Children's

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Based in Seattle, Washington, Seattle Children’s comprises a leading pediatric hospital, research institute, and foundation dedicated to the care and cure of childhood illness. The system is internationally recognized for cutting‑edge clinical care in cardiology, oncology, genetics, and rare disease, alongside world-class translational research in areas such as immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US

Year founded

1907