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Live In Animal Care Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Augusta, ME · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Grass Valley, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Rochester, MN · On-site

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Wauwatosa, WI · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Bowie, MD · On-site

$14.75 - $19.25/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Fresno, CA · On-site

$15.25 - $19.75/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Odessa, TX · On-site

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Frisco, TX · On-site

$14.25 - $18.75/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Marinette, WI · On-site

$14 - $18.25/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Fairbanks, AK · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Kent, WA · On-site

$17.25 - $22.50/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Mount Vernon, NY · On-site

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Brentwood, CA · On-site

$16.75 - $22/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Portage, MI · On-site

$14.25 - $18.75/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Grandview, MO · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales ... Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.

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Live In Animal Care information

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$10

$18

$26

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

As of Jun 15, 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:
Live In Animal Care jobs near you
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 Specialist

Animal Care Specialist

Petco

Augusta, ME • On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Part-time

Posted 24 days ago

Petco rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 627 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

453rd of 714 rated retailers

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?
We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.
Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and people.
  • Pet First - Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

  • Foster the Fun - Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.

  • Let's Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

About Petco:
We're proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years - from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood - the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we're here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
As a Companion Animal Specialist, you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC).
You ensure exceptional animal care and habitat maintenance while supporting sales, merchandising, and inventory execution. In close partnership with the sales team, you help deliver outstanding customer experience by combining deep animal-care knowledge with strong operational discipline. This role is ideal for someone passionate about animal welfare who enjoys teaching others and contributing to a collaborative team environment.
What You'll Do
Pet First
  • Ensure the health, safety, and proper care of all companion animals and aquatic life in accordance with Petco standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Complete and verify required animal care tasks, including hourly animal health checks, wellness documentation, maintenance logs, and incident reports.
  • Ensure proper handling, documentation, and care of relinquished and adoption animals.
  • Serve as the primary resource for animal care education for customers and PCC partners.
  • Adhere to and promote all safety, animal welfare, and loss prevention procedures.

Foster the Fun
  • Deliver knowledgeable, compassionate, and solution-focused service to customers.
  • Actively support customer interactions using Petco's selling model.
  • Promote a culture of teamwork, inclusion, and collaboration across the PCC.
  • Mentor and educate partners on animal care standards, maintenance routines, and best practices.
  • Maintain professional, clean, and well-presented animal habitats and aquatic areas.

Let's Go!
  • Support the achievement of department sales, margin, and shrink goals.
  • Ensure merchandise is stocked, priced, and displayed to Petco standards, with a primary focus on companion animals and aquatics.
  • Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales team to support inventory integrity and business goals.
  • Analyze inventory data and identify opportunities to improve in-stock levels, shrink, and operational efficiency.
  • Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts.
  • Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned.
  • Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support Pet Care Center operations.

Key Responsibilities
Animal Care & Maintenance
  • Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.
  • Perform routine housekeeping duties, including cleaning habitats and tanks, sweeping and mopping floors, dusting, and facing merchandise.
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory, operational, and safety standards.

Customer Experience & Sales Support
  • Process register transactions accurately and efficiently.
  • Evaluate customer needs and escalate concerns to the Leader on Duty when appropriate.
  • Support Omni-channel and in-store initiatives through consistent execution and customer engagement.

What Success Looks Like
  • Animals are healthy, safe, and cared for to Petco's highest standards.
  • Customers trust the team's expertise and return for guidance and solutions.
  • Animal habitats and aquatic areas are clean, compliant, and visually appealing.
  • Inventory and merchandising support sales while minimizing shrink.
  • Partners feel supported and informed through shared animal-care knowledge.

What You Bring
Experience & Skills
  • Minimum of 1 year of experience working with or caring for companion animals and aquatic life.
  • Strong knowledge of animal care, husbandry, and maintenance practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to educate others and communicate effectively.
  • Strong customer service mindset with an aptitude for selling behaviors.
  • Basic business, math, and inventory management skills.
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • High school diploma or GED preferred.
  • Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program required.

Essential Functions & Work Environment
This role is performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment and requires active engagement on the sales floor.
  • The role requires frequent standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.
  • Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Regular engagement with customers on the sales floor, including providing customer assistance and performing cashiering and point-of-sale transactions.
  • Must be able to work in proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.
  • Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
Why You'll Love It Here
  • Purpose-driven work that makes a difference for pets and people.
  • A welcoming, inclusive team environment.
  • Opportunities to learn, grow, and explore career paths.
  • A fun, fast-paced role where no two days are the same.

Starting Rate:
$16.10
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