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Cat Rescue Jobs in San Diego, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Cat Rescue information

See San Diego, CA salary details

$8

$14

$19

How much do cat rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for cat rescue in San Diego, CA is $14.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is cat rescue?

Cat rescue refers to the process of saving abandoned, stray, or at-risk cats from dangerous or unhealthy situations. Cat rescue organizations and volunteers provide medical care, shelter, and foster homes for these cats until they can be adopted into permanent, loving homes. They also work to educate the public about responsible pet ownership and may offer services like trap-neuter-return (TNR) to help control feral cat populations. The goal is to improve the welfare of cats and reduce the number of homeless cats in the community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cat rescue worker, and why are they important?

To excel as a Cat Rescue Worker, you need knowledge of animal handling, basic veterinary care, and often a background in animal science or shelter work. Familiarity with animal shelter management software, animal transport equipment, and certifications in animal first aid are typically valuable. Compassion, patience, and strong communication skills help build trust with both animals and adopters. These skills ensure the well-being of rescued cats, promote successful adoptions, and support effective teamwork in animal rescue operations.

What are the most common challenges faced by cat rescue workers and how can they be managed?

Cat rescue workers often deal with challenges such as managing a high volume of cats, some with medical or behavioral issues, and working in emotionally demanding situations. Time management and self-care are essential, as the work can involve long hours, emergency responses, and collaboration with veterinarians, volunteers, and local shelters. Many rescues implement support systems and training to help staff handle compassion fatigue and ensure the well-being of both cats and caregivers. Communication and teamwork are key to managing these challenges effectively and ensuring the best outcomes for the animals.

What is the difference between Cat Rescue vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectCat RescueAnimal Shelter Worker
CertificationsMay include animal care, rescue certificationsOften requires animal care or shelter management certifications
Work EnvironmentRescue missions, outdoor and indoor settings, variable locationsAnimal shelters, indoor facilities, consistent environment
Employer & IndustryRescue organizations, NGOs, animal welfare groupsShelters, municipal agencies, non-profits
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on rescue operations, outdoor work, urgent careFocus on daily shelter operations, animal care, adoption processes

While both roles involve caring for animals, Cat Rescue primarily focuses on rescuing stray or injured cats in various environments, often requiring outdoor work and emergency response skills. Animal Shelter Workers typically manage daily operations within shelters, caring for animals, and facilitating adoptions. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find roles aligned with their skills and interests in animal welfare.

What are popular job titles related to Cat Rescue jobs in San Diego, CA?

For Cat Rescue jobs in San Diego, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cat Rescue jobs in San Diego, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Cat Rescue jobs in San Diego, CA are:

What cities near San Diego, CA are hiring for Cat Rescue jobs?

Cities near San Diego, CA with the most Cat Rescue job openings:

Cat Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cat Rescue job openings in San Diego, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,472 per year, or $14.7 per hour.

Shelter Medicine Associate (Bilingual-Spanish Required)

San Diego Humane Society

San Diego, CA • On-site

$20 - $22.25/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

San Diego Humane Society rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

San Diego Humane Society is hiring full-time Shelter Medicine Associates for our San Diego Campus!

 

How you’ll impact our mission:

At San Diego Humane Society, we’re united by our mission to Inspire Compassion. The Shelter Medicine Associate supports our Community Cat Program (CCP) and Medical department by providing exemplary customer service and removing barriers to accessing medical services for animals in our community.

Primary duties include administrative support, animal handling and championing the cause of community-driven shelter medicine programs, such as the Community Cat Program, Vaccine Clinics and Community Spay and Neuter (CSN). 

This role delivers service at the gold standard level in alignment with the SDHS Way, to meet the needs of animals and the people who love them by leading with compassion, finding creative solutions, providing personalized care and building connections. If you’re passionate about making an impact in the animal welfare movement, we’d love to talk to you.

What’s in it for you?

At SDHS, we’re proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and commit to being a place where every person – staff, volunteer, and guest – can feel a sense of belonging. We support and invest in employees through conscious delivery of benefits and a workplace environment based on our Core Values. 

As an employee you’ll enjoy:

  • Competitive pay and paid time-off (including your Birthday Day Off!)
  • Comprehensive benefits package, training and well-being programs
  • 403(b) retirement plan with 5% match after 1 year
  • Free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and spay/neuter services
  • …and so much more!

What you’ll do: 

  • Support the CCP, including but not limited to, completing CCP paperwork and discussing the program with guests, scheduling appointments, checking patients in and patient discharge, coordinating CCP trap rentals, assist with return to field of CCP cats, safely handle and transport community cats in traps, provide daily husbandry of CCP cats
  • Provide support to shelter programs, including but not limited to foster, rescue, CSN, post-adopts, and SNIPs. Support includes scheduling appointments, checking in and out guests, coordinating with shelter medical team to answer medical questions, ensuring all paperwork is completed and accurate
  • Provide exemplary customer service and be able to speak on all programs and de-escalate guest concerns
  • Process vouchers for veterinary assistance, transport and spay/neuter

What we’re looking for:

  • High School graduate or equivalent required
  • One (1) year experience in customer services/guest relations required.
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish required
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and be approved by SDHS insurance carrier to drive a company or personal vehicle for work purposes.

Location & Hours: Based at our San Diego Campus. This position works a 4/10 Alternative Work Schedule. 


Pay: Starting range is between $20.00 – $22.25 per hour. 

The listed hiring range for this position depicts the target range of pay rates for candidates. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. Compensation for internal candidates may increase beyond the listed range based on performance over time.
For all candidates, the actual starting pay rate is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to your years of related education and experience, internal pay equity, and position location.
To learn more about our benefits and perks, click here.


 

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