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Animal Jobs in Normal, IL (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Extern - General Practice

Bloomington, IL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Most externship experiences at Hawthorne Park Animal Care Center range from two to eight weeks depending on student and hospital schedules. All veterinary students (regardless of class year) are ...

Veterinary Extern - General Practice

Normal, IL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Most externship experiences at Kruger Animal Hospital range from two to eight weeks depending on student and hospital schedules. All veterinary students (regardless of class year) are encouraged to ...

Veterinary Hospital Manager

Lincoln, IL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Veterinary Hospital Manager Timbercrest Veterinary Services | Lincoln, IL Are you an experienced veterinary professional who is ready for the next step in your career? Are you an established Hospital ...

Mill Operator I

Gridley, IL ยท On-site

$21 - $28.35/hr

Qualified Individual education, training or experience necessary to manufacture, process, pack, or hold safe animal food appropriate to the individual's assigned duties Relevant Job Experience: * 0 ...

Mill Operator I

Gridley, IL ยท On-site

$21 - $28.35/hr

Qualified Individual education, training or experience necessary to manufacture, process, pack, or hold safe animal food appropriate to the individual's assigned duties Relevant Job Experience: * 0 ...

Dental Hygienist

Bloomington, IL ยท On-site

$30.06/hr

We provide a wide range of services, includingpublic safety, criminal justice, road and bridge maintenance, animal safety andadoptions, vital records management, personal health services, food ...

College Biology Tutor

Normal, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, animal and plant physiology, and biodiversity. Ability to explain cellular respiration, photosynthesis, DNA ...

Showing results 41-60

Animal information

See Normal, IL salary details

$9

$20

$27

How much do animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal in Normal, IL is $20.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $24.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are animal jobs?

Animal jobs refer to occupations that involve working directly or indirectly with animals. These roles can include veterinarians, animal trainers, zookeepers, animal shelter workers, wildlife biologists, and pet groomers, among others. People in animal jobs may care for, study, train, or protect different species of animals in various environments. These careers often require a passion for animal welfare and may involve both physical and emotional demands. Some positions may also require specialized education or certifications.

What are some common challenges faced by animal caretakers in a shelter environment?

Animal caretakers in shelters often face challenges such as managing a high volume of animals, addressing diverse medical and behavioral needs, and coping with emotionally demanding situations like animal surrenders or adoptions. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as caretakers frequently collaborate with veterinarians, volunteers, and adoption counselors to ensure the well-being of each animal. Additionally, maintaining cleanliness and safety standards in a fast-paced environment can be physically demanding but is crucial for disease prevention and animal comfort.

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

To thrive as an Animal Caretaker, you need a solid understanding of animal behavior, basic veterinary care, and handling techniques, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant certification. Familiarity with animal management software, feeding protocols, and cleaning equipment is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong observational skills help caretakers respond effectively to animal needs and recognize health issues early. These skills ensure animal well-being, safe environments, and effective daily operations in shelters, zoos, or veterinary facilities.

What careers work with animals?

There are a number of exciting careers in which you work with animals on a daily basis. Some of the more well-known careers are zoologist and veterinary doctor. As a zoologist, you can work with a wide variety of wild animals in a zoo setting. While zoos are the most common setting, there are a wide variety of research settings in which you can work as well. As a veterinarian, you take care of domestic animals in a pet hospital or vet clinic. You can also work with farm animals. Some lesser known career options are marine biologist, animal trainer, pet groomer, and dog warden. There are also careers for people that would be interested in breeding animals such as dogs and cats.

What is the difference between Animal vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimalVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsNone or basic animal handling certificationsLicensed or certified, often requiring an associate degree
Work EnvironmentZoos, farms, pet stores, research labsVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, clinics
Industry UsageAnimal care, research, educationMedical support in veterinary settings
Common Search IntentAnimal care roles, animal handling jobsVet tech jobs, veterinary support roles

Animal roles focus on general care, handling, and management of animals across various environments. Veterinary technicians specialize in supporting veterinarians with medical procedures, diagnostics, and patient care in clinical settings. While both work with animals, veterinary technicians require specific certifications and work primarily in veterinary practices, whereas animal roles are broader and include diverse environments.

What careers can I have with animals?

Careers with animals include roles such as veterinarian, zookeeper, animal trainer, wildlife rehabilitator, and pet groomer. These jobs often require specific training, certifications, or degrees, and may involve working in environments like clinics, zoos, shelters, or outdoor settings.

What careers do you work with animals?

Careers working with animals include roles such as veterinarian, animal trainer, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, and pet groomer. These jobs often require specific training, certifications, or degrees, and involve working in environments like clinics, zoos, shelters, or outdoor settings.

What job categories do people searching Animal jobs in Normal, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal jobs in Normal, IL are:

What cities near Normal, IL are hiring for Animal jobs?

Cities near Normal, IL with the most Animal job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal job openings in Normal, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,805 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Veterinary Extern - General Practice

NVA

Bloomington, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 hours ago


Job description


An externship experience at an NVA hospital will give students the unique opportunity to understand the day-to-day operations of the practice, and to gain valuable hands-on clinical experience. Although every NVA hospital is unique, we all have some things in common: an environment that is supportive, committed to excellent medicine, and provides exceptional service to animals and the people who love them.
Students will work closely with the supervising Associate Veterinarians to gain experience in gathering patient histories, performing physical exams, creation of treatment plans, diagnostics, dentistry services, observing/assisting or performing surgical procedures, and medical management of patients. In addition to practicing their clinical skills, student externs will have the opportunity to practice their communication skills with the medical team, support staff, and clients.
Most externship experiences at Hawthorne Park Animal Care Center range from two to eight weeks depending on student and hospital schedules. All veterinary students (regardless of class year) are encouraged to participate in NVA externships.
Veterinary students who are in the clinical portion of their education are eligible for a travel/living expense stipend. Click HERE to view list of stipend amounts and HERE for details on the stipend program. The stipend amount for Hawthorne Park Animal Care Center is $1,000.
National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.
At NVA, we're on a mission to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. That starts by empowering our care teams. We nurture their growth with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects them to a community of professionals who share their passion so they can learn and grow together. Our national presence enables us to deliver technology and innovations that simplify work and expand care for all. At NVA, we're committed to your professional growth. We support your entire career journey, offering opportunities ranging from mentorship to ownership.
At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here's what to expect when interacting with us:
โ€ข We'll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com
โ€ข We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication
โ€ข All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com
โ€ข There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position
If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at hiringhub@nva.com. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!
NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.

NVA logo

About NVA

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Nashville Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency (NVS) is a veterinary specialty and emergency hospital group with two locations in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee. Our Mission and primary focus is to honor the human-animal bond in all we do, focusing on patient care, client experience, and the health of our team. We believe we can never stop improving and strive to improve in all we do. Not only do we focus on patient care, but core to our hospital culture is also a focus on the health of our team, our community, and the environment. We are committed to sustainable environmental practices. NVS works in partnership with National Veterinary Associates-Compassion-First (NVA C-F). NVA-CF is the largest private owner of freestanding veterinary hospitals in North America with over 1400 locations worldwide.

Headquarters location

Agoura Hills, CA, US