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Local Animal Rescue Jobs in Durham, NC (NOW HIRING)

Chatham County, NC

Animal Resources Shelter Attendant

Pittsboro, NC · On-site

$36K - $46K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Become a part of the best local government in North Carolina click "Apply" in the top right corner ... Return to the Are you an animal lover with a heart for rescue and a drive to make a real difference ...

All JobsLocal Animal Rescue JobsLocal Animal Rescue Jobs in Durham, NC

Local Animal Rescue information

See Durham, NC salary details

$9

$20

$26

How much do local animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for local animal rescue in Durham, NC is $20.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $24.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can I do if I love animals?

Jobs for those who love animals include animal care technician, veterinary assistant, pet groomer, shelter worker, and wildlife rehabilitator. These roles often require compassion, basic animal handling skills, and sometimes certifications or training in animal care or first aid.

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 skills and qualifications are needed to thrive in a local animal rescue role?

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 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 is a local animal rescue?

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 do I need to work at a local animal rescue?

To work at a local animal rescue, you typically need a genuine love for animals, good communication skills, and the ability to handle physically demanding tasks. Many positions require background checks, animal care training, and sometimes certifications such as pet first aid or CPR. Volunteering experience can also be beneficial for gaining relevant skills and understanding the rescue environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Durham, NC?

The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Durham, NC are:

What cities near Durham, NC are hiring for Local Animal Rescue jobs?

Cities near Durham, NC with the most Local Animal Rescue job openings:

Local Animal Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Local Animal Rescue job openings in Durham, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,307 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

Animal Resources Shelter Attendant

Chatham County, NC

Pittsboro, NC • On-site

$36K - $46K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Salary : $36,480.00 - $46,512.00 Annually
Location : Pittsboro, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600441
Department: Animal Services
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 10/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
WELCOME TO CHATHAM COUNTY'S APPLICATION PROCESS.
To Apply: Become a part of the best local government in North Carolina click "Apply" in the top right corner.
All sections of the application, including work experience, MUST be completed. Please include the last ten (10) years of employment history. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applications are stored on a secure site accessible only by authorized personnel. Your application can be saved and used to apply for more than one (1) job opening.
Chatham County is an equal opportunity employer and will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law. Chatham County participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Chatham County does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization for our positions at this time.
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Job Description
Are you an animal lover with a heart for rescue and a drive to make a real difference? We're looking for a passionate, hardworking, and compassionate Animal Resources Attendantto join our dedicated team at the shelter! Every day, you'll play a hands-on role in providing comfort, care, and a fresh start for animals in need. From feeding and cleaning to cuddles and enrichment, your work will help transform lives, both animal and human. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves, get a little dirty, and help create a safe, loving environment for pets on their journey to forever homes, we'd love to meet you!
Performs intermediate skilled administrative and technical support work assisting with a variety of administrative, custodial, and medical tasks including call dispatch, records maintenance, daily cleaning, and animal care facilitation, assisting the public and performing related work as apparent or assigned. This position requires a Certified Euthanasia Technician and Certified Rabies status. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Animal Shelter Manager and serves at the pleasure of the Chatham County Sheriff.
Essential Functions
The following essential functions serve as a general guide for this position. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.
  • Acts as a receptionist by greeting visitors, providing information, answering questions, and responding to inquiries and/or complaints over a wide variety of issues including animals available for adoption, animal reclamations/transfers, shelter policies and services, referrals, etc.;
  • Facilitates animal care daily by feeding, watering, bathing, grooming, and administering medications and vaccines as needed;
  • Dispatches calls to Animal Resource Officers;
  • Assists the public with the completion of adoption documentation and other applicable paperwork and applicable counseling;
  • Assists with rabies clinics as well as the preparation and packaging of any rabies specimens as needed;
  • Assists with the daily cleaning and disinfection of facilities, including spot cleaning of kennels as necessary;
  • Maintains documentation of all veterinary/medical routine health and disease assessments;
  • Schedules spay/neuter appointments for shelter-owned animals;
  • Assists with euthanasia as needed;
  • Transports and stocks animal shelter food and supplies;
  • Enters a variety of data into the computer, checks and reviews data for accuracy, completeness, and conformance to established standards and procedures, and enters and retrieves sensitive and restricted information into the computer system including records of all animals and financial transactions;
  • Works with the contract veterinarian to ensure animals are given the proper medical treatment;
  • Keeps inventory of all Animal Resource Center supplies;
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or GED, moderate experience working with the public, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a basic knowledge of animal species, common animal diseases, and basic animal handling techniques.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Thorough knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and administrative techniques;
  • Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic;
  • Thorough knowledge of the organization and functions of the department and general administrative policies and practices;
  • Basic knowledge of species and breed identification of a variety of domestic and common wild animals as well as the symptoms and behavior associated with common animal diseases;
  • Basic knowledge of animal behavior and handling of common domestic and wild animals; methods and equipment used in the care and handling of common domestic and wild animals;
  • Basic knowledge of proper cleaning methods and the safe usage of cleaning materials, disinfectants, janitorial tools, and equipment;
  • Ability to keep office records and to prepare accurate reports from file sources;
  • Ability to handle and control animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency conditions;
  • Ability to operate and maintain a wide variety of animal control tools and equipment;
  • Ability to perform and organize work independently;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, handling or feeling and repetitive motions, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas orally; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
Special Requirements
Must possess or obtain Euthanasia Technician certification upon employment.
Must possess or obtain Rabies Vaccinator certification upon employment.
Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
Chatham County is fully committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) principles and issues this anti-discrimination/EEO compliance clause to support and maintain employee's rights and responsibilities relating to equal employment. The core of equal employment opportunity is the right to work and advance on the basis of merit, ability, and potential, free from prejudice or discrimination. In accordance with the applicable anti-discrimination statutes, executive orders, and other authorities, Chatham County protects employees against discrimination, to the fullest extent of law, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, whistleblower activity, parental status, and military service (past, present, or future), and against retaliation for participation in EEO activity or opposition to discrimination.
Chatham County has over 600 employees who play an important role in planning, designing, and maintaining government programs while delivering good customer service and maintaining fiscal responsibility. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we place a high value on training, so employees are well-educated and well-trained. Sure, while various career opportunities exist, none are as rewarding as working for Chatham County.
We offer a competitive benefits package to full-time employees (working 30+ hours per week) including health care, dental, vision, retirement, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and paid leave.
To learn more details, visit the on our website.
01
Do you possess or are willing to obtain Euthanasia Technician certification upon employment?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you possess or are willing to obtain Rabies Vaccinator certification upon employment?
  • Yes
  • No

03
I understand that offers for this position are contingent upon successful completion and passing of fingerprinting and a criminal history record check to be processed by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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