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Animal Volunteer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Volunteer Job Number: 00514 Department: ANIMAL SERV & CONTROL Opening Date: 01/01/2026 Closing Date: 12/31/2026 5:00 PM Eastern Description Iredell County Animal Services is the only municipally ran ...

Animal Shelter Opening Date: 03/23/2026 Closing Date: 7/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific Description Under direct supervision, volunteer performs various duties to assist Animal Shelter staff with care of ...

Animal Shelter Volunteer

Elko, NV

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

Description Under direct supervision, volunteer performs various duties to assist Animal Shelter staff with care of animals and the Animal Shelter facility. This position is distinguished from the ...

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Animal Volunteer information

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$8

$19

$33

How much do animal volunteer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal volunteer in the United States is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kinds of tasks and responsibilities can I expect as an Animal Volunteer?

As an Animal Volunteer, you may assist with feeding, cleaning enclosures, socializing animals, supporting adoption events, or helping with administrative duties. The specific tasks often depend on the organization and the types of animals in their care. You’ll likely work closely with staff and other volunteers to ensure animal welfare and may be asked to follow specific protocols for safety and hygiene. Animal handling training is commonly provided, and flexibility is valued as needs can change day to day.

What are animal volunteers?

Animal volunteers are individuals who offer their time and effort to help care for animals in shelters, rescue organizations, or wildlife centers without receiving monetary compensation. Their duties can include feeding, cleaning, socializing animals, assisting with adoptions, and supporting fundraising or community outreach events. Animal volunteers play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for animals and increasing their chances of finding permanent homes.

What is the difference between Animal Volunteer vs Animal Care Assistant?

AspectAnimal VolunteerAnimal Care Assistant
Required CredentialsNone typically required, training provided on-siteMay require certifications or training in animal handling
Work EnvironmentVolunteering at shelters, rescue centers, or community eventsPaid positions in shelters, clinics, or veterinary practices
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofit organizations, animal shelters, rescue groupsAnimal hospitals, veterinary clinics, shelters
Common Search & ComparisonVolunteer roles focused on supporting animals without formal employmentPaid roles involving direct animal care and medical support

Animal Volunteers typically support shelters and rescue organizations without requiring formal credentials, often working as volunteers. Animal Care Assistants are paid staff who may need certifications and perform more hands-on medical and daily care tasks. Both roles are essential in animal welfare but differ mainly in employment status and level of training required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animal Volunteer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Volunteer, you typically need a basic understanding of animal care, handling, and safety protocols, often gained through on-site training rather than formal qualifications. Familiarity with animal shelter management systems and basic first aid for animals can be beneficial. Compassion, reliability, and strong communication skills help volunteers work effectively with both animals and staff. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring animal well-being and supporting smooth shelter operations.
More about Animal Volunteer jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Volunteer jobs? Cities with the most Animal Volunteer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs? The most popular types of Animal jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Volunteer jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Volunteer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Animal Volunteer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,804 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
Animal Volunteer Specialist

Animal Volunteer Specialist

Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

Gainesville, FL • On-site

$20.11/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 hours ago


Job description

NOTE: TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY, ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE AT: https://agency.governmentjobs.com/alachua/default.cfm


Salary: $20.11 Hourly


Associate’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, social sciences, or a related field, and one year of experience in volunteer coordination or program management; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education and experience requirements may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualification's are not met for the position. 
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required. 

Position Summary:

This is responsible professional work coordinating, designing, planning, and implementing the animal volunteer program in the Alachua County Animal Resources & Care Department.
An employee assigned to this classi?cation is responsible for the recruitment, training, scheduling, supervision, and retention of volunteers who support animal care, outreach, and organizational operations. This role ensures a safe, effective, and mission-aligned volunteer program that enhances animal welfare outcomes and community engagement.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties:

This is an emergency essential classi?cation. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classi?cation are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
Designs, implements, and continuously improves the volunteer program in alignment with organizational goals.
Develops volunteer roles/descriptions, and workflows that support animal care, enrichment, adoption, foster, transport, and administrative functions.


Maintains accurate volunteer records, hours tracking, and compliance documentation. 
Plans and executes volunteer recruitment strategies, including outreach events, partnerships, social media, and digital campaigns.
Screens volunteer applicants, conducts orientations, and coordinates background checks as required.
Matches volunteers to roles based on skills, interests, availability, and organizational needs.
Develops and delivers training curricula covering animal handling, safety protocols, humane practices, and organizational policies.
Coordinates role-specific training.
Ensures volunteers meet competency standards before independent service.
Schedules volunteers and ensures adequate coverage for programs and events.
Provides ongoing supervision, coaching, and performance feedback.
Fosters a positive, and respectful volunteer culture that promotes retention.
Enforces animal welfare standards, biosecurity, and workplace safety policies.
Collaborates with animal care staff to ensure volunteers support best-practice humane outcomes.
Addresses incidents, injuries, or policy violations promptly and professionally.
Develops volunteer recognition initiatives and appreciation events.
Monitors satisfaction and retention metrics; implements improvements based on feedback.
Supports volunteer roles and committees as appropriate.
Partners with program staff, development, and communications teams to support events and campaigns.
Prepares reports on volunteer engagement, hours, and impact.
Assists with budget planning related to volunteer programs and supplies.
Drives a County vehicle and/or personal vehicle to work sites in order to perform required duties.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of speci?c statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to the assigned program area.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local education programs related to departmental goals and objectives.
Demonstrated knowledge of humane animal care and handling principles.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
Skills in volunteer management systems and standard office software.
Skills in time management and work organization.
Ability to effectively utilize social media and community outreach as strategic tools to expand the volunteer network.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to work in animal care environments (e.g., shelters, clinics, outdoor settings).
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, animal welfare groups, and other partners, elected o?cials, and the general public.
Ability to work independently and/or as part of a team to solve problems and make sound decisions based upon available information.
Ability to follow through on assigned tasks while maintaining attention to detail, patience, and professionalism.
Ability to coordinate and prepare reports, general audience presentations, and campaigns.
Ability to communicate e?ectively, both orally and in writing.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands to ?nger, handle, or feel.
The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Speci?c vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
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. 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles. Potential hazards include animal bites, scratches, and exposure to zoonotic diseases (e.g., ringworm).
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Company Description

Alachua County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Alachua County gives preference in initial employment to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans.
Alachua County's mission is to provide responsive service to citizens and responsible stewardship of county resources for current and future generations.
NOTE: TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY, ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE AT: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alachua