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Animal Welfare Program Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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Animal Welfare Program Manager information

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$38.5K

$107.5K

$157K

How much do animal welfare program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal welfare program manager in the United States is $107,460.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Animal Welfare Program Manager do?

An Animal Welfare Program Manager oversees and implements programs designed to ensure the humane treatment and well-being of animals in various settings, such as shelters, research facilities, or agricultural operations. Their responsibilities include developing animal care policies, monitoring compliance with animal welfare regulations, training staff, and conducting inspections or audits. They may also coordinate outreach and education initiatives to promote animal welfare standards within the community.

What are some common challenges Animal Welfare Program Managers face when implementing new animal care protocols?

Animal Welfare Program Managers often encounter challenges such as staff resistance to change, limited resources, and the need to balance animal care standards with operational constraints. Successfully implementing new protocols often requires effective communication, comprehensive staff training, and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance. Collaboration with veterinarians, animal caretakers, and regulatory agencies is essential to address concerns and adjust protocols as needed, ensuring the well-being of animals while meeting organizational goals.

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

To thrive as an Animal Welfare Program Manager, you need a solid background in animal science, welfare practices, and program management, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in animal care or advocacy. Familiarity with regulatory compliance systems, data management tools, and animal welfare auditing standards is typically required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help you excel in stakeholder engagement and team coordination. These skills ensure programs are effectively implemented, compliant with regulations, and deliver positive outcomes for animal well-being.

What is the difference between Animal Welfare Program Manager vs Animal Shelter Coordinator?

AspectAnimal Welfare Program ManagerAnimal Shelter Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in animal science, biology, or related field; experience in program managementHigh school diploma or equivalent; experience with shelter operations
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, government agencies, or advocacy groupsAnimal shelters, rescue organizations, or municipal shelters
Employer & Industry UsageFocuses on program development, policy implementation, and advocacyHandles daily shelter operations, animal care, and adoption processes
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in animal welfare management and policyLearning about shelter operations and animal care roles

The Animal Welfare Program Manager typically oversees broader initiatives, policy development, and advocacy efforts within animal welfare organizations. In contrast, the Animal Shelter Coordinator focuses on daily shelter operations, animal care, and adoption processes. Both roles are vital in the animal welfare industry but differ in scope and responsibilities.

More about Animal Welfare Program Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Welfare Program Manager jobs? Cities with the most Animal Welfare Program Manager job openings:
What states have the most Animal Welfare Program Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Welfare Program Manager jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Welfare Program Manager jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Welfare Program Manager jobs are:
Infographic showing various Animal Welfare Program Manager 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 $107,460 per year, or $51.7 per hour.
Veterinarian - Local Animal Welfare Officer

Veterinarian - Local Animal Welfare Officer

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated

Fort Dodge, IA • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 74 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!
Your Role:
Local Animal Welfare Officer
As the Local Animal Welfare Officer, you will be a key member of the Fort Dodge site, serving as a site veterinarian for our Research & Development and Manufacturing & Quality teams. In this critical role, you will be responsible for providing excellent veterinary care, ensuring local compliance with all animal welfare regulations, and supporting our global Animal Welfare organization's mission through policy development and accreditation activities.
Your Responsibilities:
  • Provide veterinary leadership and hands-on clinical care for animals in the Research & Development and Manufacturing & Quality departments, including herd/colony health monitoring and emergency treatments.

  • Serve as the designated Local Animal Welfare Officer (LAWO), ensuring site compliance with all regulatory guidelines, leading USDA inspections, and supporting AAALAC accreditation visits.

  • Drive the development and implementation of the site's animal welfare program, including creating and reviewing SOPs, training personnel on clinical and husbandry procedures, and providing guidance on best practices.

  • Support the global Animal Welfare organization by leading and participating in projects related to policy development, programmatic improvements, internal inspections, and third-party accreditation efforts.

  • Collaborate with site leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure robust biosecurity, biocontainment, and overall animal welfare program success, including participation in facility design and renovation projects.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
  • Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited institution.

  • Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience in an animal welfare-regulated environment within the Animal Health industry, including direct experience with third-party animal welfare accreditation processes (e.g., AAALAC) and a strong understanding of pre-clinical and clinical models.

  • Licensure: A current license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States and the ability to obtain licensure in the state of Iowa.

  • Technical Skills: Strong field and laboratory clinical skills.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
  • Certifications: Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).

  • Experience: Prior experience conducting facility audits and deep familiarity with USDA regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching.

  • Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, work independently, and navigate complex situations within multi-disciplinary teams.

  • Communication Skills: Advanced verbal and written communication skills, with a particular strength in conflict management.

Additional Information:
  • Travel: 10-20%

  • Location: Fort Dodge, IA - On-Site Work Environment

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
  • Multiple relocation packages

  • Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)

  • 8-week parental leave

  • 9 Employee Resource Groups

  • Annual bonus offering

  • Flexible work arrangements

  • Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

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