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Animal Volunteer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

SPCA of Wake County

Animal Care Manager

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$65 - $90/hr

The Animal Care Manager oversees the Animal Care Team and daily workflow of the department ... Provide guidance and intervene as needed to resolve customer and volunteer concerns while ...

SPCA of Wake County

Animal Care Manager

Raleigh, NC · On-site

The Animal Care Manager oversees the Animal Care Team and daily workflow of the department ... Provide guidance and intervene as needed to resolve customer and volunteer concerns while ...

SPCA of Wake County

Adoption Specialist

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$21/hr

Follow organizational disease-prevention, sanitation, safety, and animal-handling procedures. * Help ensure the safety of employees, volunteers, visitors, adopters, and animals. * Treat pets and ...

Washington County SPCA

Adoption Specialist

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$21/hr

Follow organizational disease-prevention, sanitation, safety, and animal-handling procedures. * Help ensure the safety of employees, volunteers, visitors, adopters, and animals. * Treat pets and ...

Washington County SPCA

Adoption Specialist

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$21/hr

Follow organizational disease-prevention, sanitation, safety, and animal-handling procedures. * Help ensure the safety of employees, volunteers, visitors, adopters, and animals. * Treat pets and ...

Petco

Junior Groomer

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

Perform bathing and walk-in services while achieving weekly productivity goals Education/Experience: * 0-1 year of animal related experience, including shelter volunteering or pet sitting, prior ...

Petco

Junior Groomer

Cary, NC · On-site

Perform bathing and walk-in services while achieving weekly productivity goals Education/Experience: * 0-1 year of animal related experience, including shelter volunteering or pet sitting, prior ...

Petco

Junior Groomer

Holly Springs, NC · On-site

Perform bathing and walk-in services while achieving weekly productivity goals Education/Experience: * 0-1 year of animal related experience, including shelter volunteering or pet sitting, prior ...

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All JobsAnimal Volunteer JobsAnimal Volunteer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Animal Volunteer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$8

$18

$32

How much do animal volunteer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal volunteer in Raleigh, NC is $18.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.04 and $19.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal volunteer?

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 does an animal volunteer do?

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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal volunteer?

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.

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 most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Animal Volunteer jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Animal Volunteer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Volunteer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Volunteer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Animal Volunteer jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Animal Volunteer job openings:

Animal Volunteer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Volunteer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,693 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Animal Care Manager

Washington County SPCA

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$62K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Oversee the Animal Care Team and daily workflow of the department, including scheduling, motivating, evaluating, coaching, and developing staff.

  • Maintain and improve high standards of animal care, welfare, sanitation, enrichment, and humane handling throughout the department.

  • Manage departmental key performance indicators (KPIs), monitor animal flow and capacity, and implement strategies to improve animal welfare and operational efficiency.

Job description

The Animal Care Manager oversees the Animal Care Team and daily workflow of the department, including scheduling, motivating, evaluating, coaching, and developing staff. This position is responsible for maintaining high standards of animal care while supporting an effective, collaborative, accountable, and positive working environment for staff and volunteers.
The Animal Care Manager develops and implements creative and innovative approaches to improve animal flow, animal care, behavior support, and departmental performance. This position identifies and addresses opportunities to improve the quality and capacity of animal care while maintaining practices that support the safety and well-being of both animals and people.
This role is accountable for departmental performance and key performance indicators (KPIs), using data to identify barriers, guide decision-making, and continuously improve outcomes. The Animal Care Manager ensures departmental priorities and teammate expectations remain aligned with organizational goals and the SPCA of Wake County's core mission of saving animal lives.
The Animal Care Manager works collaboratively with supervisors, organizational leadership, and other departments to ensure consistent communication, effective processes, and alignment with the mission and core values of the SPCA of Wake County.
Our Core Values:
1- Hell, Yeah!
2- Be Kind
3- Do What You Say
4- Forward Focused
5- Loose & Wiggly
6- Drop the Mic
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Animal Care, Welfare & Operational Excellence
  • Maintain and continuously improve high standards of animal care, welfare, sanitation, enrichment, and humane handling throughout the department
  • Identify and address opportunities to improve animal welfare, animal flow, and the quality and capacity of care
  • Maintain efficient animal flow through SPCA facilities while supporting quality animal care and positive outcomes
  • Develop and implement processes that reduce unnecessary length of stay while maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for animals
  • Ensure Animal Care teammates consistently implement appropriate low-stress and humane handling practices
  • Partner with appropriate teams to ensure animals receive timely behavior support and modification plans and monitor implementation within Animal Care
  • Maintain practices that support the health, safety, and well-being of animals, teammates, volunteers, and visitors
  • Lead process improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to strengthen departmental workflows, consistency, quality, and operational effectiveness

Performance Management, KPIs & Mission Impact
  • Own and actively manage departmental key performance indicators (KPIs), using data to evaluate performance, identify barriers, and drive improvements that maximize the Animal Care Team's impact on the SPCA's mission of saving animal lives
  • Monitor animal flow, length of stay, capacity for care, and other relevant departmental metrics; identify trends and implement strategies to improve animal welfare, operational efficiency, and positive outcomes
  • Establish clear departmental goals aligned with organizational targets and ensure teammates understand how individual and team performance contributes to achieving those goals
  • Regularly review and communicate performance results with the Animal Care Team and organizational leadership, proactively identifying barriers and developing solutions when performance is below established targets
  • Use data, frontline observations, teammate feedback, and organizational priorities to identify opportunities for continuous improvement
  • Track the effectiveness of implemented changes and adjust strategies based on results and evolving operational needs

Team Leadership & Performance Management
  • Lead, motivate, evaluate, coach, and develop Animal Care teammates while maintaining clear expectations and accountability
  • Work closely with Animal Care supervisors to ensure excellent team leadership, communication, workflow, and consistent execution of departmental expectations
  • Develop staff training plans and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and development opportunities
  • Translate departmental KPIs and organizational goals into clear expectations for supervisors and teammates, reinforcing accountability for both individual performance and team outcomes
  • Address employee performance concerns and implement appropriate coaching, corrective action, or performance improvement plans in partnership with Human Resources
  • Promote professional development and strengthen the leadership capabilities of supervisors and other emerging leaders within the department
  • Create and support a positive, collaborative, respectful, and accountable working environment for staff and volunteers

Department Operations & Administration
  • Manage Animal Care staffing schedules to ensure appropriate departmental coverage and alignment with animal care and operational needs
  • Complete and oversee applicable payroll and timekeeping responsibilities for the Animal Care Team
  • Monitor departmental supply needs, maintain appropriate inventory, and coordinate ordering as needed
  • Maintain accurate departmental records and ensure appropriate use of applicable database, CRM, and shelter management systems
  • Ensure departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and operational expectations are clearly communicated and consistently implemented
  • Identify operational challenges, assess root causes, and implement practical and sustainable solutions
  • Maintain regular communication with the direct supervisor and promptly communicate significant departmental concerns, risks, performance barriers, or operational needs

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Service
  • Collaborate with Medical, Adoptions, Intake, Behavior, Volunteer Services, and other departments to support animal care, movement, placement, and positive outcomes
  • Maintain effective communication with managers and organizational leadership to support a unified approach to the SPCA's mission and operational priorities
  • Partner cross-functionally to identify and resolve barriers affecting animal flow, length of stay, capacity for care, teammate effectiveness, or animal outcomes
  • Provide guidance and intervene as needed to resolve customer and volunteer concerns while maintaining excellent customer service and professionalism
  • Participate in organizational planning, operational initiatives, meetings, and cross-functional projects as needed
  • Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational priorities

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Minimum two years of supervisory experience, preferably within the animal welfare industry.
  • Strong knowledge of companion animal behavior, body language, humane handling techniques, and animal welfare practices
  • Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, and time management skills
  • Ability to effectively lead, coach, develop, and hold teammates accountable while promoting a positive and collaborative work environment
  • Experience using databases, CRM systems, shelter management systems, or similar platforms to maintain operational records
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, meet SPCA of Wake County driving eligibility requirements, and be able to safely operate an SPCA vehicle as assigned
  • Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position and commitment to the mission and core values of the SPCA of Wake County

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Strong knowledge of feline and canine body language, humane animal handling techniques, and animal welfare best practices; working knowledge of common veterinary terminology
  • Ability to recognize animal health, behavior, welfare, and safety concerns and ensure appropriate response or escalation
  • Ability to model, reinforce, and evaluate appropriate animal care, handling, sanitation, enrichment, disease prevention, and safety practices
  • Strong leadership and judgment with the ability to prioritize competing needs, analyze performance information, solve problems, make effective decisions, and remain calm and professional in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to read, understand, implement, and ensure adherence to organizational policies, procedures, protocols, schedules, and operational expectations
  • Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across teams while identifying opportunities for process improvement and supporting organizational change

Preferred Qualifications
  • Additional leadership experience within an animal shelter, animal welfare organization, veterinary environment, or comparable animal care setting
  • Experience developing staff training, coaching employees, managing performance, or developing frontline leaders
  • Experience implementing process improvements and using performance metrics to drive outcomes within a fast-paced operational environment
  • Experience with low-stress handling, Fear Free, Salesforce, shelter management systems, or similar animal welfare practices and platforms

Work Environment
This role operates within a fast-paced animal welfare environment and involves frequent interaction with animals, staff, volunteers, adopters, visitors, and other community members. Responsibilities are performed throughout animal housing, intake and adoption spaces, outdoor play yards, cleaning and support areas, transport settings, administrative workspaces, and other SPCA locations.
The position requires regular onsite presence and maintaining safety, professionalism, sound judgment, and leadership effectiveness in an environment that may include high noise levels, strong odors, cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, animal waste, emotionally sensitive situations, varying weather conditions, and animals of different sizes, temperaments, and medical or behavioral conditions.
Physical Requirements
  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, crouch, kneel, and remain physically active for extended periods
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds
  • Ability to safely handle and work around animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical or behavioral conditions, including fearful, stressed, or fractious animals
  • Ability to perform physical animal care and operational tasks, including repetitive movement, reaching, cleaning, feeding, enrichment, and movement throughout animal housing and operational areas
  • Ability to safely enter, exit, and operate an SPCA vehicle and load, unload, secure, and transport animals, supplies, and equipment as assigned
  • Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying temperatures and in environments involving high noise levels, strong odors, animal waste, cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, and potential exposure to zoonotic diseases and other animal-related environmental conditions
  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through electronic communication methods

Benefits:
  • Medical and Dental: Employer pays 90% of employee coverage (full-time)
  • Insurance includes wellness, dental, vision, life, mental health care, prescriptions, emergency & urgent care, chiropractic care, and physical therapy
  • Telemedicine options, 24/7 access to virtual health & wellness care and virtual behavioral health care
  • PAID TIME OFF -
  • All part-time and full-time staff receive paid time off.
  • Paid Holidays - 9 paid holidays per year (full-time)
  • Vacation Time - 10 paid vacation days per year (full-time) with scheduled increases at milestone anniversaries of hire date
  • Sick Time - 6.5 paid sick days per year (full-time)
  • FINANCIAL -
  • Healthcare: Flexible Spending Account
  • 401k Plan
  • Coastal Federal Credit Union Membership
  • 20% discount on pet adoptions and in SPCA Wake retail store
  • OTHER -
  • Bereavement time off
  • Federal & State Leave of Absence options

Disclaimer
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on organizational needs.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The SPCA of Wake County is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees, volunteers, applicants, and community members are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, organizational needs, and applicable law.
Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. No phone calls, please - we'll have our people call your people!

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