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Local Animal Rescue Jobs in Atlanta, GA (NOW HIRING)

NVA

Veterinarian

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

Hamby Road Animal Hospital in Alpharetta, Georgia is seeking an Associate Veterinarian to join our ... Partnership with Basset Hound Rescue and a team that genuinely cares about the community Our ...

New

NVA

Veterinarian

Alpharetta, GA

Hamby Road Animal Hospital in Alpharetta, Georgia is seeking an Associate Veterinarian to join our ... Partnership with Basset Hound Rescue and a team that genuinely cares about the community Our ...

New

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Local Animal Rescue information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$9

$20

$26

How much do local animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for local animal rescue in Atlanta, GA is $20.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.63 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Local Animal Rescue role, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Local Animal Rescue role, you need a solid understanding of animal care, handling techniques, and basic veterinary knowledge, often supported by relevant training or certifications in animal welfare. Familiarity with animal shelter management software, animal first aid, and rescue equipment is typically required. Compassion, resilience, and strong communication skills help you work effectively with animals, the public, and fellow team members. These abilities are crucial for ensuring animal safety, facilitating successful adoptions, and maintaining positive community relations.

What are the most common challenges faced by team members in a local animal rescue organization?

Team members in local animal rescue organizations often encounter challenges such as managing the emotional aspects of caring for neglected or abused animals, handling unpredictable situations during rescues, and balancing a high workload with limited resources. Collaboration with veterinarians, volunteers, and local authorities is crucial to ensure animal welfare and successful rehoming. Additionally, adapting to fast-changing priorities and maintaining effective communication within the team are key to providing the best possible care for animals in need.

What are local animal rescues?

Local animal rescues are organizations or groups dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray, abandoned, or abused animals within a specific community or region. They often work with shelters, foster volunteers, and veterinarians to provide medical care, foster homes, and adoption services. Unlike large national organizations, local rescues focus on the needs of animals in their immediate area, helping to reduce overpopulation and improve animal welfare at the community level.

What is the difference between Local Animal Rescue vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectLocal Animal RescueAnimal Shelter Worker
CredentialsMay require animal care certifications, CPR, first aidOften requires similar certifications, experience in animal handling
Work EnvironmentVaries from outdoor rescues to shelter settings, often on-callPrimarily shelter facilities, consistent indoor environment
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, rescue groups, community organizationsMunicipal shelters, private shelters, animal welfare organizations
Search & Comparison IntentRescue operations, emergency response, volunteer opportunitiesShelter operations, daily animal care, adoption processes

Both roles involve caring for animals, but Local Animal Rescue focuses on emergency and outdoor rescues, while Animal Shelter Workers primarily handle daily shelter operations. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right fit based on environment and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Atlanta, GA? The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Atlanta, GA are:
What are popular job titles related to Local Animal Rescue jobs in Atlanta, GA? For Local Animal Rescue jobs in Atlanta, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Local Animal Rescue jobs in Atlanta, GA look for? The top searched job categories for Local Animal Rescue jobs in Atlanta, GA are:
Local Animal Rescue jobs near you
Animal Services - Join RCAS

Animal Services - Join RCAS

Rockdale County, Georgia

Conyers, GA • On-site

$16.86 - $26.85/hr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Rockdale County Animal Services (RCAS)

We are building a talent pool of qualified individuals with a background in animal care, control, or shelter operations to support our growing team. Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience in animal services and a passion for serving both animals and the community. Positions may include Animal Services Officers, Kennel Assistants, and administrative support roles. Join us in making a meaningful impact—where compassion, professionalism, and public service come together.

Our Vision

A future where our citizens and government work together so that every creature is compassionately cared for and has a safe place to call home.

Our Mission

Rockdale County Animal Services division educates, enforces, and assists Rockdale County citizens and visitors with animal needs through a tactful, dignified, discreet, caring, and protective manner. As part of the mission of RCAS, the division will strive to become a “no-kill” agency.

Our Core Values
  • Health of Animals: RCAS values the welfare of the animals in our care and those in the community and will act in a caring and kind way.
  • Quality of Life: RCAS desires a high quality of life for Rockdale County citizens and pets and will work to create an enjoyable and positive environment for the community.
  • Cooperative accountability: RCAS will be accountable to each other and to serve Rockdale Citizens, and will seek accountability from those who serve with us, so that we can reach the goals we set.
  • Care, Cleanliness, professionalism: We want to run an operation that is organized, clean, professional, and focused on care.
  • Efficient use of tax dollars: We will analyze new ideas and programs to ensure that they align with the county’s financial goals. But we will also fight hard for additional financial resources when we believe there is a strong need.
About Us

RCAS responds to about 3,800 animal-related complaints per year. This number continues to grow as our service hours have increased. We house around 1,500 animals a year. These animals include dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, pigs, rabbits, bearded dragons, snakes, cows, horses, and many more species.

Our fully staffed team consists of 15 dedicated professionals:

  • 1 Deputy Director

  • 1 Field Supervisor

  • 1 Kennel Supervisor

  • 1 Administrative Coordinator

  • 2 Kennel Assistants

  • 9 Field Officers

Most staff work 4–10-hour days, with day and night shifts available. We are open to the public and respond to routine complaints 7 days a week.

Animal Control Officers (soon to be titled Animal Services Officers)

Role Overview:
A professional who ensures the safety and well-being of both humans and animals. Officers are responsible for responding to stray, injured, or aggressive animals. They investigate reports of animal cruelty, animal fighting, and often deal with concerns of animal hoarding. They focus on educating the public on proper and responsible animal ownership while enforcing local ordinances and state laws. They handle bite cases, rabies exposures to humans and domesticated animals, and set up testing or quarantines for these incidents.

Ideal Candidates:
Caring and compassionate towards animals and people. Able to communicate with the public and help build a positive relationship between the division and the community. Wanting to make a difference in not only the lives of animals but also the way the community views the animal shelter.

Kennel Assistants

Role Overview:
A professional who is responsible for the daily care and maintenance of the animals housed at the animal shelter. The responsibilities include feeding, watering, cleaning, vaccinating, medicating, taking pictures, posting to social media and other websites, offering animal enrichment, working with potential adopters, working with owners on reclaiming their pets, working with rescue groups and humane societies to “pull” animals from the shelter. Attending off-site adoption events in the community as well as attending educational events at schools, senior centers, businesses, and other locations. Often giving tours of the shelter and speaking with visitors about what we do. The focus of the Kennel Assistant is to ensure the animals are clean, happy, and cared for while at our shelter.

Ideal Candidates:
Caring and compassionate towards animals and people. Able to communicate with the public. Knowledge of animal behavior and handling. A person who wants to make a difference in animals' and people's lives, but that is realistic that “they cannot save them all”.