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Live In Animal Care Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Lead

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$18.50 - $20/hr

This position plays a key role in modeling tasks for fellow animal care staff, ensuring that all animals receive high-quality, compassionate care, and that the shelter environment remains clean, safe ...

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Animal Care Provider

Mason, OH · On-site

$12 - $16/hr

The Animal Care Provider plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of dogs through attentive feeding, health monitoring, and behavior observation. Working within a small team, this role requires ...

Animal Care Attendant

Canton, CT · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

The Animal Care Attendant will be responsible for routine care and maintenance of domestic pets in a supportive team environment. This role ensures animals are properly fed and their habitats are ...

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Live In Animal Care information

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How much do live in animal care jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for live in animal care in the United States is $18.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by live-in animal care professionals, and how can they be managed?

Live-in animal care professionals often face challenges such as maintaining work-life balance, managing unpredictable schedules, and handling emergency situations. Since the role typically requires being on-call and living on-site, it can blur boundaries between personal and professional time. Building a clear routine, establishing open communication with animal owners or facility managers, and ensuring self-care practices are crucial to staying healthy and effective. Additionally, knowing protocols for emergencies and having support systems in place can help manage high-stress situations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Live In Animal Care professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Live In Animal Care professional, you need hands-on experience with animal handling, basic veterinary knowledge, and often a background in animal science or a related field. Familiarity with animal care management software, feeding schedules, and first aid for animals is typically required. Strong observational skills, patience, and reliability help you build trust with animals and communicate effectively with owners or veterinary staff. These skills are crucial for ensuring animal well-being, maintaining a safe environment, and providing consistent, high-quality care.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A live-in animal care professional can potentially earn $10,000 a month through private clients or high-end facilities, especially with specialized skills in animal training, behavior, or veterinary assistance. Such roles often require experience, certifications, and the ability to work long hours in a residential or farm setting.

What is the difference between Live In Animal Care vs Pet Sitter?

AspectLive In Animal CarePet Sitter
CredentialsBasic animal care knowledge, certifications varyOften no formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentLive-in setting, often private homes or farmsVisiting multiple clients, short-term stays
Employer & Industry UsagePet owners, farms, animal sheltersPet owners, pet care services
Search & Comparison IntentLong-term, full-time careShort-term, occasional care

Live In Animal Care involves providing continuous, long-term care for animals in a live-in setting, often requiring basic certifications and a commitment to a specific location. Pet Sitters typically offer short-term, occasional services without the need for extensive credentials, visiting multiple clients. The key difference lies in the duration and setting of care, with Live In Animal Care suited for ongoing, dedicated support, while Pet Sitting is more flexible and temporary.

What is the highest paying job in animal care?

The highest paying jobs in animal care typically include specialized roles such as veterinary surgeons, zoo directors, or animal research scientists, which require advanced education and certifications. These positions often involve managing large teams, complex medical procedures, or research projects, leading to higher salaries compared to entry-level animal care roles like pet sitters or kennel attendants.

How can I make a living working with animals?

A live-in animal care job involves providing daily care, feeding, and monitoring animals such as pets, farm animals, or exotic species. Success in this field often requires relevant experience, good communication skills, and sometimes certifications like pet first aid or animal handling. These roles typically offer a combination of salary, room, and board as compensation.

What are live-in animal care jobs?

Live-in animal care jobs involve residing at a client's home or a facility to provide dedicated care for animals. Responsibilities typically include feeding, exercising, grooming, administering medication, and ensuring the overall well-being of pets or livestock. These roles are popular with pet owners who travel frequently or require round-the-clock supervision for their animals. Live-in caregivers may also handle light household tasks and are expected to respond to emergencies quickly. The arrangement often includes free accommodation and sometimes meals as part of the compensation.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Live-in animal care jobs typically do not pay $2000 a day; they usually offer weekly or monthly compensation. High-paying roles in specialized fields such as consulting, executive management, or certain medical professions may reach or exceed this daily rate, but they often require advanced skills, certifications, or significant experience. Most animal care positions focus on providing daily care and do not offer such high daily earnings.
More about Live In Animal Care jobs
What cities are hiring for Live In Animal Care jobs? Cities with the most Live In Animal Care job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Care jobs? The most popular types of Animal Care jobs are:
What states have the most Live In Animal Care jobs? States with the most job openings for Live In Animal Care jobs include:
Infographic showing various Live In Animal Care job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Locum Tenens, 16% As Needed, 11% Full Time, and 68% Part Time. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,056 per year, or $18.3 per hour.
Animal Care Internship

Animal Care Internship

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$15.25 - $20.75/hr

Other

Posted 16 days ago


Animal Rescue League of Iowa rating

3.3

Company rating: 3.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

676th of 682 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

Animal Care Internship (Unpaid) - Summer 2026

Your Mission:
To advance the mission and programs of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) by volunteering time and effort to support the Animal Care teams while gaining valuable hands-on knowledge and experience in animal welfare and care practices in a shelter environment.

What You’ll Do:
As an Animal Care Intern, you’ll play an important role in supporting the daily care, enrichment, and wellbeing of animals at ARL Main, ARL Animal Services, and the Second Chance Ranch. You’ll assist with cleaning and maintaining animal housing areas, help monitor animal health and behavior, and immediately report any concerns to staff. You’ll learn to operate laundry, cleaning, and dishwashing equipment, help ensure all supplies and spaces are well maintained, and contribute to keeping the shelter environment clean, safe, and welcoming.

Throughout the internship, you’ll complete rotations with the leaders at ARL Main, ARL Animal Services, and the Second Chance Ranch to gain a comprehensive understanding of the ARL’s shelter operations. You’ll also complete a research-based educational project designed to deepen your understanding of animal welfare and the ARL’s mission, which you’ll present at the conclusion of your internship. In all aspects of your work, you’ll support efforts to reduce stress and disease through compassionate and purposeful handling of animals while adhering to ARL policies and safety protocols.

What You Bring:
You have a genuine interest in animal care and a desire to make a difference for animals in need. Previous experience working with animals or in a customer service environment is preferred, but not required. You are dependable, self-motivated, and eager to learn in a hands-on environment. The ability to work in a fast-paced setting, perform basic mathematical skills, and stay positive under pressure will serve you well in this role. A commitment of 90 days is required, with a minimum of four hours on-site at least five days a week.

Working Conditions:
This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and to stand or sit for extended periods of time. Work may involve exposure to animal waste, odors, contagious diseases, bites, scratches, and a moderate noise level. You’ll be part of a supportive, mission-driven team where every day offers new opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact in the lives of animals.

Why This Internship Matters:
This internship is an opportunity to gain meaningful, real-world experience in animal welfare, build professional skills, and contribute to the care and comfort of hundreds of animals each day. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of shelter operations, animal behavior, and the role compassion plays in every aspect of our work while helping to further the ARL’s mission to change lives, one animal at a time.