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Animal Rescue Jobs in Wheaton, IL (NOW HIRING)

County of DuPage

Animal Services Veterinarian

Wheaton, IL · On-site

$128K - $136K/yr

DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is an immediate open shelter caring for more than 2,300 animals of varying species annually. We are excited for you to join our recently remodeled shelter. The ...

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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 Wheaton, IL is $20.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $24.18 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 Wheaton, IL? For Animal Rescue jobs in Wheaton, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Rescue jobs in Wheaton, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Rescue jobs in Wheaton, IL are:
What cities near Wheaton, IL are hiring for Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Wheaton, IL with the most Animal Rescue job openings:
Animal Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Rescue job openings in Wheaton, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, and 35% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,316 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

Animal Services Veterinarian

County of DuPage, CO

Wheaton, IL

$128K - $136K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Salary : $128,000.00 - $136,500.00 Annually
Location : 120 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 25-00110
Department: Animal Services Department
Opening Date: 05/14/2026
Hours: MON 7 am - 7 pm, TUE OFF, WED 8 am - 4:30 pm, THU 7 am - 7 pm, FRI 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
POSITION SUMMARY
We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinarian in our Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is an immediate open shelter caring for more than 2,300 animals of varying species annually.
We are excited for you to join our recently remodeled shelter. The new shelter design will allow DuPage County Animal Services to:
  • Provide modern, stress-reducing, and healthy housing for animals.
  • Allow the shelter to have more welcoming and appropriate spaces for the public to be counseled on services and solutions with animals.
  • Expand opportunities for residents to benefit from animal related educational and training classes.
  • Provide more functional and supportive spaces for staff and volunteers.
  • Create a more public, warm and inviting place that promotes volunteerism, adoption, fostering, humane education, and sense of community for people that love animals.
  • Provide the best care and find the best outcomes for animals.
Benefits:
  • There are four medical plans to choose from, all through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL): Blue Advantage HMO, Blue Choice PPO, PPO 1 and Blue Edge Health Savings Account (HSA).
  • Dental/Vision
  • Optional Life
  • Vacation, Sick, and Paid Leave Time
  • 12 paid holidays
  • Penson Plan: The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) is public pension fund that administers retirement, disability, and death benefits for employees of local government in Illinois. IMRF serves more than 3,000 employers and manages about $52 billion in assets. With a funded status of 96.6%, IMRF is one of the best-funded public pension systems in the country.
To learn more about the cost and coverage of the benefits plan, visit
For detailed information on paid time off, visit , Section 5
DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed by positions in this class.
  • Develops, reviews, and upholds animal standard of care practices and medical treatment protocols
  • Develops and maintains protocols for managing disease in large groups of animals at the County Shelter
  • Implements and manages staff and facility sanitation and hygiene protocols including disease control
  • Upholds current animal welfare standards of care (e.g. feeding practices, caging, stress reduction, etc.)
  • Executes emergency triage and stabilization of ill and injured animals
  • Performs adult and pediatric castration and ovariohysterectomy (OHE)
  • Performs veterinary dental care of animals
  • Performs surgical procedures on various species of animals (i.e. amputations, cyst removals, etc.)
  • Performs adoption examinations to identify health and temperament conditions
  • Performs surgical procedures and wellness or sick pet exams on pets owned by members of the public utilizing the County's low-cost clinic services.
  • Develops, reviews and upholds animal care best practices and medical treatment protocols
  • Ensures compliance with humane methods of the euthanasia of animals
  • Performs physical examinations and vaccinations of animals housed at the shelter
  • Ensures quality and consistent care for animals at County shelter
  • Examines, documents and treats abuse cases, working with Law Enforcement and other agencies as necessary
  • Participates in humane investigations (e.g. documenting and performing forensic examinations, testifying in court, etc.)
  • Maintains applicable records

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Exercises supervision of assigned personnel in the DCAS.
REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE
Requirements include the following experience or equivalent combination of training and experience:
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • Graduation from a Veterinary College or University approved or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association with a Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  • Compensation commensurate with experience, skills
  • Preferred: One (1) year of supervisory experience, clinical veterinary medical experience and/or shelter medicine/surgery experience

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
This position requires:
  • A current license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Illinois
  • A current DEA license
  • A current Illinois Veterinary Controlled Substance license
  • Valid Illinois Drivers' License
A pre-employment background check is required.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work will occur in an animal shelter environment. While performing the duties and responsibilities, the employee will be exposed to loud noise, noxious odors, zoonotic diseases, and will be subject to animal bites, scratches, and/or kicks.
DuPage County offers a complete benefit package to full-time employees including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pension, holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, pre-paid legal and credit union. Limited benefits are also offered for eligible part-time positions.
To learn more details, visit our
01
Do you possess a Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from a Veterinary College or University approved or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association?
  • Yes
  • No

02
How many years of clinical veterinary medical experience and/or shelter medicine/surgery experience do you possess?
  • 10+ years of relevant experience
  • 6 to 9 years of relevant experience
  • 3 to 5 years of relevant experience
  • 1 to 2 years of relevant experience
  • No experience

03
How many years of supervisory experience do you possess?
  • 10+ years of experience
  • 6 to 9 years of experience
  • 3 to 5 years of experience
  • 1 to 2 years of experience
  • No supervisory experience

04
Do you have a current license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Illinois?
  • Yes
  • No

05
Do you have a current Illinois drug enforcement certification?
  • Yes
  • No

06
Do you have a current DEA certification?
  • Yes
  • No

07
Are you able to perform the following, with or without an accommodation?Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.
  • Yes
  • No

08
This position requires that you possess and maintain in good standing a valid Illinois Driver's License. Do you possess this requirement?
  • Yes
  • No
  • No, but I possess a valid driver's license within another State and am able to obtain a valid Illinois Driver's License within 90 days of employment.

Required Question

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