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Animal Welfare Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Midwest City

Animal Welfare Officer

Midwest City, OK · On-site

$21.16 - $22.40/hr

The City of Midwest City is accepting applications for an Animal Welfare Officer in the Animal Welfare Department. The incumbent performs duties related to impounding and/or containing, reclaiming or ...

Prestage

Animal Welfare Coordinator

Eagle Grove, IA · On-site

Summary The Animal Welfare Coordinator supports the procurement and animal welfare teams by managing the purchasing and delivery of live hogs to meet contract requirements while ensuring adherence to ...

Prestage

Animal Welfare Coordinator

Eagle Grove, IA

Summary The Animal Welfare Coordinator supports the procurement and animal welfare teams by managing the purchasing and delivery of live hogs to meet contract requirements while ensuring adherence to ...

Frost PLLC

Animal Welfare Auditor II

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$65K/yr

As an Animal Welfare Auditor, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that our organization adheres to the highest standards of animal welfare and ethical practices. This position involves ...

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Animal Welfare information

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$9

$21

$27

How much do animal welfare jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal welfare in the United States is $21.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What qualifications do you need to be an animal welfare officer?

Animal welfare officers typically need a relevant qualification such as a diploma or degree in animal science, veterinary technology, or a related field. Experience with animal care, strong communication skills, and knowledge of animal laws and regulations are also important. Some positions may require certification or training in animal handling and first aid.

What is animal welfare?

Animal welfare refers to the well-being of animals and the quality of life they experience. It involves ensuring that animals under human care have proper housing, nutrition, medical treatment, and the ability to express natural behaviors. The field of animal welfare includes protecting animals from suffering, cruelty, and neglect, and promoting humane treatment in agriculture, research, entertainment, and as pets. Organizations and professionals in animal welfare work to advocate for laws, education, and practices that support the physical and psychological health of animals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Animal Welfare, and why are they important?

To thrive in Animal Welfare, you need knowledge of animal behavior, care standards, and relevant laws, often supported by a degree in animal science, biology, or a related field. Familiarity with animal management software, record-keeping systems, and sometimes certifications in animal handling or first aid are valuable. Compassion, strong communication, and problem-solving abilities distinguish professionals in this role. These skills ensure the humane treatment of animals, effective advocacy, and successful coordination with the public and other organizations.

What are good careers that work with animals?

Animal welfare careers include roles such as veterinarian, animal shelter manager, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, and animal trainer. These jobs often require relevant education, certifications, and a passion for caring for animals in various environments like clinics, shelters, zoos, or conservation sites.

What is the difference between Animal Welfare vs Animal Care?

AspectAnimal WelfareAnimal Care
Required CredentialsOften requires certifications in animal welfare or related fieldsTypically requires animal care certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, shelters, advocacy groupsZoos, pet stores, veterinary clinics
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by organizations focused on policy, advocacy, and educationUsed by facilities providing direct animal care
Search & Comparison IntentPeople interested in animal advocacy, policy, and welfare programsIndividuals seeking hands-on animal handling and care roles

Animal Welfare focuses on advocating for animals' rights, policy development, and improving living conditions through education and advocacy. Animal Care involves direct hands-on work with animals, providing daily care, feeding, and health monitoring. While both roles aim to improve animals' lives, Animal Welfare emphasizes systemic change and policy, whereas Animal Care centers on practical, day-to-day animal management.

What is the highest paying job in animal welfare?

The highest paying jobs in animal welfare are typically senior roles such as veterinary directors or animal shelter executives, with salaries often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions require advanced education, management skills, and extensive experience in animal care and welfare organizations.

What are some common challenges faced in animal welfare roles and how can they be managed?

Professionals in animal welfare often encounter emotionally challenging situations, such as working with abused or neglected animals, which can lead to compassion fatigue. Additionally, there may be resource limitations, including funding and staffing constraints, that require creative problem-solving and prioritization. Effective communication and collaboration with veterinarians, law enforcement, and the public are essential for achieving positive outcomes. Building a strong support network within the organization and seeking ongoing training can help manage these challenges and maintain personal well-being.

What jobs can you get in animal care?

Jobs in animal care include veterinarian, veterinary technician, animal shelter worker, zookeeper, pet groomer, and animal trainer. These roles often require specific training, certifications, or degrees, and involve working in environments such as clinics, shelters, zoos, or private homes.
More about Animal Welfare jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Welfare jobs? Cities with the most Animal Welfare job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Welfare jobs? The most popular types of Animal Welfare jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Welfare jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Welfare jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Welfare jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Welfare jobs are:
Animal Welfare jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Welfare 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 $43,783 per year, or $21 per hour.
Animal Welfare Associate

Animal Welfare Associate

Santa Fe Animal Shelter Inc

Santa Fe, NM • On-site

$17 - $19/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Description:

Are you a do-gooder? Come do good with the Santa Fe animal shelter; use your skills and passion to make a difference. You need a job worth getting out of bed for, we need problems solved and people’s lives changed. How about we start with yours?


The Animal Welfare Associate serves as the front line for Santa Fe Animal Shelter’s lifesaving mission to create a compassionate, safe community for pets and people. This role works independently with the public to options to keep pets in the home when we can or bring the animal into the shelter when there are no better options for the pet. Animal Welfare Associates must be compassionate and nonjudgmental, demonstrating empathy while working with owners and focus on finding solutions not excuses or placing blame..


PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Animal Welfare Associate

? Customer Service

? Case Management

? Data Entry

? Cash Handling

? Animal Handling


Animal Welfare Associates work closely with Animal Services personnel and other shelter departments, volunteers, customers, board members, vendors and law enforcement personnel in a fast paced collaborative environment.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Skills and Work Experience

? High School Diploma/GED or 5 years Customer Service experience.

? Tech-Savvy with understanding of social media platforms.

? Effective written and spoken communication skills.

? Critical thinking and problem-solving expertise

? Nonprofit, mission-driven, or animal welfare experience preferred but not required.

? Bilingual (Spanish) a plus

? An understanding that SFAS is a managed admissions facility and the euthanasia and cremation of animals are regular functions of the Shelter.


Physical Demands

The physical demands noted are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with physical limitations to perform the essential functions:

? Consistently required to transition from seated to standing, moving, and kneeling or crouching.

? Constantly required to speak and hear.

? Manual dexterity: Constant use of hands for grasping, reaching, typing and other operative tasks.

? Required to lift and/or carry an animate or stationary object of up to 50 pounds.

? The work environment exposes the employee to a noise level that is moderate to loud. The employee must be able to handle exposure to working conditions such as poor ventilation, heat, cold, sudden temperature changes, wet quarters, noise,

medical and surgical odors as well as animal odors and dander.

? Potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, hazardous chemicals, anesthetics, and sharp objects.

? The employee should be comfortable interacting with animals of various size, breed, and temperament.

? A valid New Mexico Driver’s license is required.