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Humane Society Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

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Humane Society information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$12

$19

$29

How much do humane society jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for humane society in Raleigh, NC is $19.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $21.49 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 popular job titles related to Humane Society jobs in Raleigh, NC?

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

What job categories do people searching Humane Society jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Humane Society jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Humane Society jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Humane Society job openings:

Humane Society jobs near you
Infographic showing various Humane Society job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,822 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Animal Care Specialist - SPCA Wake (Full-Time)

Washington County SPCA

Raleigh, NC

$21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Animal Care Specialist
If you have a passion for working with animals and enjoy seeing goals met through daily scheduled activities, the Animal Care Specialist may be the most rewarding career journey of your life.


Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $21.00 per hour with scheduled salary increases at anniversary of hire date


Who We Are - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Wake County (SPCA Wake)
Founded in 1967 in Raleigh, NC, SPCA Wake is a progressive and innovative private, non-profit animal welfare and sheltering organization. Our organizational core values are the foundation of a positive work culture that values employees just as much as our mission. We are committed to creating a better future for pets and people and we work hard to achieve our goals and offer a rewarding workplace. SPCA Wake provides competitive pay and excellent benefits (see below). Working at SPCA Wake is about more than just a paycheck, it's about making a difference every day in the lives of pets and people.

With locations in Raleigh and Garner, SPCA Wake rescues, heals and adopts more than 4,000 pets annually and provides assistance to more than 30,000 families and individuals each year. We never place a time limit on how long cats, dogs and other pets stay at our shelter. Our vision is to create a humane community for pets and people. If you are looking to make an impact and to save lives, SPCA Wake is the perfect place for you.


Our Core Values:
1- Hell, Yeah!
2- Be Kind
3- Do What You Say
4- Forward Focused
5- Loose & Wiggly
6- Drop the Mic


Position Overview
As an Animal Care Specialist you (and your teammates) are responsible for the daily care and enrichment for shelter animals who are just entering our care or are waiting to be adopted. You will work with a dynamic assortment of volunteers and customers. The Animal Care Specialist improves the quality of life for homeless pets at SPCA Wake with training, feeding, exercise and socialization. The job is so much more than cleaning kennels, although there is a fair amount of that, to be honest. We practice fear-free animal handling at all times. Training is provided. While this is a front-line position, we don't consider it an "entry level" position, as it takes some time to build the skills needed to excel for the betterment of the animals. One more thing -- you must be comfortable kneeling, crouching, reaching overhead and lifting, carrying, and pulling up to 50 lbs.


You might be a born Animal Care Specialist if:
You're equally comfortable talking to pets or people - you can communicate with either!
You consider yourself to be a bit of a time management freak - you love nothing more than thinking about the most effective way to get your work done.
You're the first to notice when one of your, or your family's, pets isn't acting right and do something about it.
You've never considered yourself only a "dog person" or a "cat person"; you'd snuggle up to any critter that would let you.


Required:

Must love animals and care about people

Previous professional animal handling experience

Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including Saturdays and Sundays, some holidays

Valid driver's license (some animal transport van driving required)

A high school diploma or equivalent

Must be comfortable kneeling, crouching, reaching overhead and lifting, carrying, and pulling up to 50 lbs.

Previous customer service experience

Previous animal handling experience


Benefits:

  • Medical and Dental: Employer pays 90% of employee coverage (full-time)
  • Insurance includes wellness, dental, vision, life, mental health care, prescriptions, emergency & urgent care, chiropractic care, and physical therapy
  • Telemedicine options, 24/7 access to virtual health & wellness care and virtual behavioral health care

PAID TIME OFF -

  • All part-time and full-time staff receive paid time off.
  • Paid Holidays - 9 paid holidays per year (full-time)
  • Vacation Time - 10 paid vacation days per year (full-time) with scheduled increases at milestone anniversaries of hire date
  • Sick Time - 6.5 paid sick days per year (full-time)

FINANCIAL -

  • Healthcare: Flexible Spending Account
  • 401k Plan
  • Coastal Federal Credit Union Membership
  • 20% discount on pet adoptions and in SPCA Wake retail store

OTHER -

  • Bereavement time off
  • Federal & State Leave of Absence options

Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. No phone calls or emails, please - we'll have our people call your people!

Apply