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Director Animal Welfare Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Sand Springs

Animal Welfare Officer

Sand Springs, OK · On-site

$17.45/hr

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Orders and maintains supplies and equipment as directed for the animal welfare facility. * Encourages adoption or other favorable outcomes for unclaimed animals, or euthanizes those not adopted or ...

City of Sand Springs

Animal Welfare Officer

Sand Springs, OK · On-site

$17.45/hr

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Orders and maintains supplies and equipment as directed for the animal welfare facility. * Encourages adoption or other favorable outcomes for unclaimed animals, or euthanizes those not adopted or ...

Tamus

Animal Welfare, Project Manager

Dallas, TX

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Animal Welfare, Project Manager is responsible for managing and directing projects and programs aimed at research animal welfare and research excellence, contributing to an overall strategic ...

Frost PLLC

Animal Welfare Auditor II

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$65K/yr

Able to work independently in a timely manner without direct oversight. * Exhibit foundational ... Animal welfare or animal husbandry exposure required. * Computer proficiency required. * Possess ...

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All JobsAnimal Welfare JobsDirector Animal Welfare Jobs

Director Animal Welfare information

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$11K

$63.2K

$155K

How much do director animal welfare jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for director animal welfare in the United States is $63,209.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Animal Welfare vs Animal Care Manager?

AspectDirector Animal WelfareAnimal Care Manager
CredentialsRelevant certifications, advanced degrees in animal science or welfareCertifications in animal care, experience in animal handling
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, policy development, overseeing multiple programsHands-on animal care, supervising staff, daily animal management
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, shelters, research institutions focused on animal welfareShelters, zoos, veterinary clinics involved in animal care

The main difference is that the Director Animal Welfare focuses on strategic leadership, policy, and program oversight, while the Animal Care Manager handles daily animal care operations and staff supervision. Both roles require relevant certifications and experience, but the Director role is more strategic and administrative, whereas the Animal Care Manager is more hands-on and operational.

More about Director Animal Welfare jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Animal Welfare jobs? Cities with the most Director 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 Director Animal Welfare jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Animal Welfare jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Animal Welfare jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Animal Welfare jobs are:
Director Animal Welfare jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Animal Welfare job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,209 per year, or $30.4 per hour.

Director of Animal Welfare

Alaqua Animal Refuge, Inc.

Freeport, FL • On-site

$14.25 - $19.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Director of Animal WelfareFull Time/ ExemptAlaqua Animal Refuge | Freeport, FLLead with Compassion. Advocate with Integrity. Change Lives.At Alaqua Animal Refuge, we believe every animal deserves safety, dignity, and a chance at a better life. As one of the Southeast's premier no-kill animal welfare organizations, we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome thousands of animals each year while serving as a leader in animal cruelty response and advocacy.We're seeking an experienced and passionate Director of Animal Welfare to help shape the future of animal care at Alaqua. This is more than a management position—it's an opportunity to protect vulnerable animals, guide ethical decision-making, and lead a dedicated team committed to making a lasting impact.If you're an experienced animal welfare professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and believes compassion and accountability go hand in hand, we'd love to hear from you.What You'll DoAs the Director of Animal Welfare, you'll serve as the ethical and operational leader for animal care across the organization. Working closely with our veterinary team, operations staff, and leadership, you'll ensure that every animal receives exceptional care while helping Alaqua responsibly expand its lifesaving impact.Key ResponsibilitiesChampion Animal Welfare
  • Oversee and uphold humane care standards for all species.
  • Ensure proper housing, enrichment, handling, and daily care practices.
  • Monitor and continuously improve animal welfare programs.
Guide Intake and Capacity Planning
  • Partner with veterinary and intake teams to make thoughtful, mission-driven intake decisions.
  • Balance animal needs, medical resources, staffing, and facility capacity.
  • Help maximize Alaqua's ability to save lives responsibly.
Lead Cruelty and Large-Scale Rescue Cases
  • Coordinate and oversee animal cruelty, neglect, and large-scale seizure cases.
  • Maintain accurate documentation for medical treatment, expenses, and legal proceedings.
  • Work alongside law enforcement and internal teams to ensure accountability and transparency.
Collaborate with Veterinary Leadership
  • Support treatment plans and welfare decisions with the Medical Director.
  • Help implement medical protocols across animal care teams.
  • Ensure daily care aligns with veterinary best practices.
Develop and Inspire Teams
  • Lead, mentor, and support animal care supervisors and staff.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, compassion, and continuous learning.
  • Address animal welfare concerns promptly and professionally.
Support the Mission Beyond Daily Care
  • Assist with grants and reporting related to animal care and cruelty response.
  • Develop and maintain policies and standard operating procedures.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry best practices.
What We're Looking ForRequired Qualifications
  • Significant experience in animal welfare, sheltering, rescue, sanctuary, veterinary medicine, or a related field.
  • Experience managing cruelty, neglect, or large-scale animal rescue cases.
  • Strong knowledge of humane care standards across multiple species.
  • Experience with documentation, case management, and reporting.
  • Proven leadership and team management skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
The Ideal Candidate Is:
  • Passionate about animal welfare and the human-animal bond.
  • A calm and confident leader during high-stress situations.
  • Ethical, compassionate, and willing to advocate for animals.
  • Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Collaborative and committed to building strong relationships across departments.
Why You'll Love Working at AlaquaAt Alaqua Animal Refuge, you'll join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference every single day. This role offers the opportunity to:
  • Lead meaningful, lifesaving work.
  • Shape the future of animal welfare programs.
  • Play a critical role in animal cruelty investigations and rescue efforts.
  • Collaborate with an exceptional team of veterinary and animal care professionals.
  • Make a lasting impact on thousands of animals and the people who love them.
Working ConditionsThis position requires flexibility and the ability to work in a fast-paced animal welfare environment. Candidates should be comfortable working around a wide variety of animal species and responding to emergency or large-scale animal rescue situations when needed.Join Our MissionAt Alaqua Animal Refuge, we don't just care for animals—we advocate for them, protect them, and give them a second chance. If you're ready to lead with compassion, integrity, and purpose, we encourage you to apply and become part of a team that's changing lives every day.Come help us give every animal the future they deserve.