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Entry Level Animal Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Part-Time Kennel Technician

Sanger, CA · On-site

$12 - $15.75/hr

Supports Animal Control Officers and shelter operations. Distinguishing Characteristics: The Kennel Technician is an entry-level classification responsible for providing routine daily care and ...

Supports Animal Control Officers and shelter operations. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Kennel Technician is an entry-level classification responsible for providing routine daily care and ...

This is the entry level class in the Police series. Position allocated to the class of Police ... of animal control and related duties. D. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job ...

Kennel Assistant

Tustin, CA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

This is an entry-level position on the patient care team and an excellent starting point for ... ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ANIMAL CARE AND HUSBANDRY * Feed, water and exercise ...

New

Kennel Tech

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Animal Care Attendant - Elite K9 Club! Elite K9 Club is looking for a dedicated and reliable Animal ... Position Overview: * Experience is not required - this is an entry-level position with ...

Zookeeper I

Atascadero, CA · On-site

$49K - $59K/yr

To perform routine animal husbandry work in support of the activities and operations of Central ... This job class functions at an entry-level of classification. As knowledge, background, and skills ...

Showing results 21-40

Entry Level Animal information

How do I start to work with animals?

To start working with animals as an entry-level animal worker, gain experience through volunteering or internships at shelters, farms, or veterinary clinics. Obtain basic knowledge of animal care, safety, and handling, and consider earning certifications such as pet first aid to improve your qualifications.

What is an entry level animal?

An Entry Level Animal job typically involves working with animals in roles that require little to no prior experience. These jobs may include positions such as animal care technician, kennel assistant, or veterinary assistant. Responsibilities often include feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and assisting with basic care. Many positions provide on-the-job training, making them a great starting point for those interested in animal-related careers.

What are some typical daily tasks for an entry level animal care technician?

Entry Level Animal Care Technicians are typically responsible for feeding and watering animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, and assisting more experienced staff with treatments or medication. You may also be expected to keep detailed logs of animal behavior, report any health concerns, and help maintain a clean and safe environment. Most roles require collaboration with veterinarians, animal handlers, and other technicians. This hands-on work provides a solid foundation in animal husbandry and offers a gateway to more advanced positions within the animal care or veterinary field.

How to start a career with animals?

To start a career as an entry-level animal worker, gain relevant experience through volunteering or internships at shelters, zoos, or veterinary clinics. Obtain basic certifications such as animal care or safety training, and develop skills in handling and caring for animals. Entry-level positions often require a high school diploma and a passion for animal welfare.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level animal position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Animal Care Technician, you need a basic understanding of animal handling, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal care protocols, record-keeping systems, and, in some settings, certification in animal care or laboratory safety, can be beneficial. Compassion, patience, and strong communication skills help you stand out when interacting with animals and supporting team members. These skills are critical for ensuring animals' well-being, maintaining safety standards, and working effectively as part of a care team.

What jobs can I do if I love animals?

Entry-level animal jobs include positions such as veterinary assistant, pet groomer, animal shelter worker, and pet care technician. These roles often require basic animal handling skills, patience, and sometimes certification or training in animal care or first aid.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in California?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Animal jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Animal job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Animal job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Receptionist Animal Hospital/ Veterinary Administrative Assistant

The Newport Beach Veterinary Hospital

Newport Beach, CA • On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

NEW job posting beginning 10/2/2025. One additional job now available.
Wow. We are busy and wish to hire another fabulous person right away! No veterinary experience is needed. 
We train!
Ready to make a change to something new and fascinating? Are you perfectly suited for this challenging job?
Please read this entire posting as most questions will be answered.
We are hiring right now! We will hire someone immediately when we find the right person. We are pleased with our last new hire and plan to hire additional front-office employees. Please consider applying if you're "the right person" (read below). We will continue to take applications with second interviews scheduled as qualified candidates appear.
We are excited to add another new amazing individual to our Front Office Staff. Our Veterinary practice continues to grow and we are in need of great new people. Our doctor, Dr. Jeffrey S. Cohen, D.V.M. is a Board Certified Specialist in Veterinary Internal Medicine and is regarded as one of the finest, most intelligent, and most dedicated veterinarians in Orange County. This is an invitation to join his amazing team of animal caregivers. This is the perfect opportunity for intelligent, honest, high-energy, disciplined persons (man or woman) for our extremely busy General Veterinary and Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialty Hospital in Newport Beach. If you are exceptional, we are waiting for you.
Job Details: Veterinary Animal Hospital Front Office Customer Service Staff (FT)

Requirements:
  • You absolutely must have great people skills and be positively oriented.
  • You must be bright, intuitive, and self-motivated to provide the ultimate in customer service for our people who Love Love Love their pets and are often in serious need & distress.
  • Veterinary-specific experience is not required but you do need skills.
  • High School diploma or equivalent required.
  • A college education is always good but not required.
  • You must speak and write English well.
  • You must be able to work with and around dogs and cats.
  • Veterinary-specific experience is NOT required but you do need excellent customer service abilities with good general office and phone skills.

We WANT to train you but we are very picky about having people with a strong disciplined work ethic with a caregiver and people skills. If you are a pet owner or pet lover, you can understand why we want our animal hospital staff to provide empathy with super-competent pet care combined with the very best in customer service. Nothing less can ever be acceptable. Please do not apply if you don't expect to work very hard for an equally rewarding personal return. These jobs require a talented individual and we don't ask our clients or their pets to settle for less than a caring & intelligent staff. This is an extremely fast-paced, non-boring job and oh, so rewarding! You will be important to us as a staff member and in the life of every pet owner who you help. We all work extremely hard and care about the quality of the job we do.

Job Details:
  • We are ONLY looking for full-time, long-term employees to fulfill these jobs.
  • These are not temporary jobs so please do not apply if not truly serious and cannot commit to long-term employment.
  • This is NOT a job for part-time workers or students.
  • We only have Full time, 4-day-Work-Week positions at an entry-level wage of $20/ hr during intense training for 6-months with wage increases plus various benefits over time for the proven capable including fully paid Medical & Dental Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick days, Uniforms, Meals, etc. You MUST be able to work any weekday and including Saturdays. Schedules to be determined after hire.
  • Applications are ONLY taken in-person at The Newport Beach Veterinary Hospital, 1610 W. Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663, Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm.
  • We are also very Veteran-friendly, too! We would like Military Veterans to consider this job as we support Veterans and their families in our work with Service Dogs.
  • ALL Applications MUST be filled out in person to be considered with resumes only collected at that time. Please Do Not Fax or email your resume, it will be discarded.

Please Do Not Call for directions (Consider Google Maps) or to ask questions about the job that you can ask in person when applying because our front office staff is extremely busy. From the moment you arrive in our office, you are evaluated by the staff so please present yourself as a professional.