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Humane Society Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

San Diego Humane Society

Foster Supervisor

San Diego, CA · On-site

$26.60 - $29.61/hr

San Diego Humane Society is hiring a Full-Time Foster Supervisor for our San Diego and El Cajon Foster team! How you'll impact our mission: At San Diego Humane Society, we're united by our mission to ...

San Diego Humane Society

Foster Supervisor

San Diego, CA · On-site

$26.60 - $29.61/hr

San Diego Humane Society is hiring a Full-Time Foster Supervisor for our San Diego and El Cajon Foster team! How you'll impact our mission: At San Diego Humane Society, we're united by our mission to ...

Valleyhumane

Surgery Center Manager

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Valley Humane Society is looking for an experienced Surgery Center Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our Phil Scholz Veterinary Surgery Center in Pleasanton, California. This is a hands-on ...

Peninsula Humane Society

REG VET TECH

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) is a local, private, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to animal welfare. It is our mission is to build healthy relationships between people and ...

Peninsula Humane Society

REG VET TECH

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) is a local, private, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to animal welfare. It is our mission is to build healthy relationships between people and ...

Peninsula Humane Society

Staff Veterinarian

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

PHS/SPCA is a successful, well-established non-profit humane society committed to serving the animals and people of our community. Among our major programs, PHS/SPCA adopts fully 100% of healthy ...

Peninsula Humane Society

Lead Veterinarian

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

PHS/SPCA is a successful, well-established non-profit humane society committed to serving the animals and people of our community. Among our major programs, PHS/SPCA adopts fully 100% of healthy ...

Marin Humane Society

Shelter Veterinarian

Novato, CA · On-site

$168K - $186K/yr

At Marin Humane , we don't just care for animals-we transform lives through exceptional care, humane education, and advocacy. If you're passionate about shelter medicine, collaborative teamwork, and ...

Marin Humane Society

Feline Behavior Associate

Novato, CA · On-site

$23.43 - $26.03/hr

At Marin Humane, our work goes far beyond caring for animals. Every member of our team plays an important role in strengthening the bond between people and pets and creating more compassionate ...

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Humane Society information

See California salary details

$13

$19

$29

How much do humane society jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for humane society in California is $19.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the Humane Society?

The Humane Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare and preventing cruelty to animals. It operates animal shelters, provides rescue and adoption services, advocates for stronger animal protection laws, and educates the public about responsible pet ownership. Humane Societies may also offer spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, and disaster response for animals in need. Their goal is to ensure the well-being and humane treatment of all animals.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work at the Humane Society?

To thrive as a Humane Society worker, you need a background in animal care, knowledge of animal welfare laws, and often a relevant degree or certification in veterinary technology, animal science, or a related field. Familiarity with shelter management software, basic medical equipment for animals, and animal handling tools is typically required. Compassion, strong communication, and problem-solving skills are vital for interacting with animals, colleagues, and the public. These abilities ensure the well-being of the animals, effective community outreach, and smooth shelter operations.

What challenges do Humane Society workers face and how can they manage them?

Employees at a Humane Society often encounter emotionally challenging situations, such as caring for neglected or abused animals and interacting with distressed pet owners. Managing compassion fatigue while maintaining a high standard of animal care can be demanding. Building strong teamwork, accessing support resources, and practicing self-care are essential strategies for coping with these challenges. Many organizations offer training and counseling to help staff develop resilience and maintain a positive work environment.

What is the difference between Humane Society vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectHumane SocietyAnimal Shelter Worker
CredentialsMay require animal care certifications, background checksHigh school diploma, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organization, community outreach, administrative tasksAnimal care facilities, hands-on animal handling
Employer & IndustryNonprofits focused on animal welfareMunicipal or private shelters

Humane Society organizations often focus on broader animal welfare initiatives, advocacy, and community education, while Animal Shelter Workers primarily handle daily care and intake of animals in shelters. Both roles involve caring for animals, but the Humane Society may also engage in outreach and policy work, whereas Shelter Workers focus on direct animal care and shelter operations.

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

The most popular types of Humane Society jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Humane Society jobs in California?

For Humane Society jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Humane Society jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Humane Society jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Humane Society jobs?

Cities in California with the most Humane Society job openings:

Humane Society jobs near you
Infographic showing various Humane Society job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,447 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Foster Supervisor

San Diego Humane Society

San Diego, CA • On-site

$26.60 - $29.61/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Supervise the day-to-day operations of the Foster program at the Escondido and Oceanside Campuses.

  • Supervise Foster Specialist staff, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and scheduling.

  • Ensure the highest quality care and husbandry of foster animals in accordance with SDHS policies and procedures.

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 a Full-Time Foster Supervisor for our San Diego and El Cajon Foster team!
How you'll impact our mission:
At San Diego Humane Society, we're united by our mission to Inspire Compassion, providing hope and advancing the welfare of animals and people. In this role, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day operations and supervision of the Foster program at the Escondido and Oceanside Campuses. You'll supervise Foster Specialist staff and give hands-on care for animals as needed for proper coverage.
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:
  • Ensure the highest quality care and husbandry of foster animals in accordance with SDHS policies and procedures. Ensure that all assigned areas are maintained in a clean, organized and professional manner, as scheduled and in compliance with SDHS policies and procedures.
  • Supervise Foster Specialists including making recommendations for hiring, corrective action and termination. In conjunction with Nursery & Foster Manager, coach staff for development and performance improvement and document appropriately when performance standards are not met. Complete Annual Career Development for direct reports.
  • Create and manage Foster Specialist staff schedules, including coverage during holiday closures and on-call Foster scheduling.
  • Network, establish and maintain positive working relationships with fosters to maximize lifesaving pathways for in-shelter populations across all SDHS campuses.
  • Monitor animals who are not developing properly or are showing medical decline; participate in case discussions to determine best pathway for each individual animal; make euthanasia recommendations as appropriate.
  • Work side by side with staff and provide hands-on training as needed to ensure performance standards and department objectives are met and maintained.

Learn more about our Kitten Program here.
What we're looking for:
  • Requires an associate's degree in related field or completion of sufficient coursework to successfully perform the required duties of the position, and three (3) years of full time progressively responsible related experience working with animals in a kennel, shelter, or veterinary hospital, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • One-year experience as a supervisor highly preferred. Advanced training and/or instruction in care of neonate, transitional, and socialization stage kittens preferred.
  • Must be able to handle the physical and emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of humane euthanasia.
  • Must obtain Vet Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) after employment.
  • 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 with expected travel to the El Cajon Campus. This position works 40 hours per week.
Pay: Starting range is between $26.60 - $29.61 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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