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Humane Shelter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

County of Yolo

Animal Care Attendant

Woodland, CA

$37K - $45K/yr

The ideal candidate is compassionate, dependable, and committed to the humane care and treatment of animals. They possess experience working with animals in a shelter, veterinary, agricultural ...

County of Yolo, CA

Animal Care Attendant

Woodland, CA · On-site

$37K - $45K/yr

The ideal candidate is compassionate, dependable, and committed to the humane care and treatment of animals. They possess experience working with animals in a shelter, veterinary, agricultural ...

the City of Azle, TX

Animal Shelter Manager

Azle, TX

$67K - $92K/yr

... humane animal care and safe shelter practices • Overseeing intake, adoptions, and related shelter functions • Coordinating with rescue organizations and veterinary providers • Maintaining ...

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$27K

$56K

$92K

How much do humane shelter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for humane shelter in the United States is $55,973.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,000.00 and $63,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by staff working in a humane shelter, and how are they typically addressed?

Staff at humane shelters often encounter emotional challenges, such as caring for animals that have experienced neglect or abuse, and making difficult decisions regarding animal welfare. High animal intake and limited resources can create fast-paced, high-pressure environments. To address these challenges, shelters often provide staff with training in animal handling, compassion fatigue management, and teamwork. Regular communication and support from colleagues are vital, and many shelters encourage open dialogue and offer resources for emotional well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Humane Shelter Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Humane Shelter Worker, you need a solid understanding of animal care, basic veterinary knowledge, and usually a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal management software, cleaning equipment, and sometimes animal first aid certification is often required. Compassion, patience, and strong interpersonal communication are essential soft skills for interacting with both animals and the public. These skills ensure the well-being of shelter animals, effective adoption processes, and positive community relations.

What is the difference between Humane Shelter vs Animal Care Technician?

AspectHumane ShelterAnimal Care Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require animal handling certificationsHigh school diploma; certifications in animal care or handling often preferred
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, rescue centers, non-profit organizationsVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, research facilities
Job DutiesRescuing, caring for, and rehoming animals; administrative tasksFeeding, cleaning, administering medication, monitoring animal health

Both roles involve caring for animals in shelter settings, but Humane Shelter workers focus on overall shelter operations and rehoming, while Animal Care Technicians often work in veterinary or research environments with more medical responsibilities.

What are humane shelters?

Humane shelters are facilities dedicated to the care, protection, and rehoming of stray, abandoned, or surrendered animals. They provide food, shelter, medical care, and socialization for animals in need, and work to find them permanent, loving homes. Humane shelters also often promote responsible pet ownership, offer spay/neuter services, and engage in community education to prevent animal cruelty. Their primary mission is to ensure the well-being and humane treatment of all animals under their care.
What cities are hiring for Humane Shelter jobs? Cities with the most Humane Shelter job openings:
What states have the most Humane Shelter jobs? States with the most job openings for Humane Shelter jobs include:
Humane Shelter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Humane Shelter job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,973 per year, or $26.9 per hour.
Shelter Animal Care Technician

Shelter Animal Care Technician

Animal Humane Society

Golden Valley, MN • On-site

$16.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Animal Humane Society rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

391st of 679 rated non-profit organizations

Job description

Do you have a passion for the care of animals? Do you enjoy interacting with all animals, including dogs, cats, critters, and birds? Come work as a part-time Animal Care Technician for Animal Humane Society, where caring for animals isn't just a job - it's our passion. We are on a mission to compassionately and responsibly create a more humane world for animals and their people.
Purpose: The Animal Technician is responsible for providing humane and compassionate care to all types of shelter animals, ensuring that animals have a safe and clean environment, drinking water, and food.
Pay Rate: $16.75/hour
Benefits (see additional benefits below):
  • Paid Time Off
  • 4 Floating Holidays (per full calendar year)
  • 401k Retirement Plan with a 4% company match

Schedule: Part-time; up to 29 hours/week
  • Weekend availability required (Saturday and/or Sunday)
  • Shifts will between the hours of 7am-8pm Tuesday-Friday and 7am-6pm Saturdays-Mondays

Location: Golden Valley, MN
Essential Functions
Animal Care:
  • Prepare and distribute food and water to all animals per dietary needs
  • Perform daily cleaning and sanitization of transfer cages, litter boxes, kennels and animal areas including cleaning up animal feces, urine, vomit and other debris.
  • Monitor animals' wellbeing, including appearance, appetite, hydration, stools, vomit and activity, reporting any health concerns or behavioral changes.
  • Safely handle animals of varying sociability in a variety of ways including walking, restraining, placing in transport crates, etc. using appropriate PPE procedures.
  • Handle animals who may have transmittable illnesses to other animals and humans, following proper handling, quarantine and PPE procedures.
  • Move animals throughout the shelter as needed.
  • Interpret animal body language, read animal cage cards and communication boards.
  • Escalate animal concerns and communicate directly with appropriate department regarding concerning animal appearance or behavior in a timely manner.

Shelter Support:
  • Assist in enrichment programs for animals in shelter.
  • Assist Veterinary Services with fecal/urine collection of animals.
  • Assist with animal restraint for transportation, medical procedures, collection of animal waste and euthanasia as required.
  • Collaborate with other departments and assist as needed.

General Cleaning:
  • Utilize approved chemicals to clean animal and non-animal areas.
  • Operate dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.
  • Remove garbage and recycling as needed.
  • Sweep and mop animal areas.

Communication and Culture:
  • Communicate in a positive and professional manner with customers, other employees, and volunteers.
  • Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to make AHS a more welcoming environment for employees, volunteers, customers, and the community.

Technology:
  • Accurately update animal records in PetPoint.
  • Manage and view work schedule in Makeshift.
  • Clock in and out of shifts using ADP.
  • Monitor AHS email and other messaging software.

Other duties as assigned.
Additional Information:
Schedule and Attendance
  • Required to be on time to scheduled shifts during operational hours which may include evenings, weekends and holidays.
  • May be required to work at a different site based on department needs.
  • May be required to attend occasional off-site meetings and events.
  • Attend and participate in regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with direct leader.

Work Environment
  • Environment can be dirty, wet, warm and humid.
  • Exposure to zoonotic diseases and pests such as fleas and ticks.
  • Possibility of being bitten or scratched.
  • Exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals and noises, including barking.
  • May be exposed to extreme weather conditions including but not limited to cold, heat, rain and snow when outside.

Requirements
Experience:
  • Animal handling experience preferred.

Skills:
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong attention to detail, multi-tasking and time-management skills.
  • Proficient with computers, specifically a working knowledge of Microsoft products.

Physical Demands:
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. unassisted and 100+ lbs. assisted.
  • Prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Emotional Demands:
  • Ability to be emotionally resilient while working in a shelter setting.
  • Must be comfortable handling a variety of animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including the use of humane euthanasia.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this role. Duties, responsibilities and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
About AHS
Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help thousands of animals in need across Minnesota.
As one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we're advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.
Why Work Here
  • Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
  • Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
  • Work-life balance
  • Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care and pet supplies
  • Health insurance coverage for full time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance; critical illness insurance; hospital indemnity insurance; employee- paid supplemental life; employee-paid accidental death & dismemberment; and long term disability insurance.
  • Employer-paid benefits for full time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
  • Support for student loans: we are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer
  • Mental Health and Counseling Support: all employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program with 3 free counseling sessions per year
  • 401k with 4% company match for part-time and full-time staff
  • Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
  • Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
  • Paid Time Off for part time and full time staff (amount is based on hours worked and FTE status)
  • Paid parent leave for full-time staff

Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.
At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota, and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.

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