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Part Time Animal Rescue Jobs in Des Moines, IA (NOW HIRING)

All JobsAnimal Rescue JobsPart Time Animal Rescue JobsPart Time Animal Rescue Jobs in Des Moines, IA

Part Time Animal Rescue information

See Des Moines, IA salary details

$9

$20

$27

How much do part time animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for part time animal rescue in Des Moines, IA is $20.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.88 and $24.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by part-time animal rescue workers, and how can they be managed?

Part-time animal rescue workers often encounter challenges such as balancing rescue shifts with other commitments, handling emotionally difficult situations, and adapting to unpredictable animal behavior. Effective time management and clear communication with team members can help ensure coverage and prevent burnout. Additionally, ongoing training and support from experienced staff are available to help part-time workers develop skills in animal care and safely respond to emergencies. Collaborating closely with both volunteers and full-time staff fosters a supportive environment where everyone can learn and contribute effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Part Time Animal Rescue Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Part Time Animal Rescue Worker, you generally need experience with animal handling, basic animal care knowledge, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal shelter software, basic medical equipment, and sometimes certifications in animal first aid or CPR are valuable. Compassion, strong communication, and the ability to remain calm under stress are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring the well-being of animals, effective teamwork, and safe, efficient rescue operations.

What are part time animal rescue jobs?

Part time animal rescue jobs involve working with organizations or shelters to help rescue, care for, and rehome animals in need, but on a part-time schedule. Duties may include feeding and cleaning animals, assisting with adoptions, administering basic medical care, and supporting fundraising or outreach activities. These positions are ideal for people who are passionate about animal welfare but may only be available to work a limited number of hours per week. Part time roles can also be a good way to gain experience in animal care or nonprofit work.

What is the difference between Part Time Animal Rescue vs Part Time Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectPart Time Animal RescuePart Time Animal Shelter Worker
ResponsibilitiesRescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in needAssisting with daily shelter operations, caring for animals, and adoption support
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor rescues, community eventsIndoor shelter facilities, administrative tasks
CredentialsBasic animal care knowledge, sometimes certifications in animal handlingAnimal care experience, sometimes certifications in shelter operations

While both roles involve caring for animals, Part Time Animal Rescue focuses on rescuing animals from dangerous situations and rehoming them, often in outdoor or community settings. In contrast, Part Time Animal Shelter Worker primarily supports shelter operations, caring for animals within a shelter environment. Both roles require compassion and animal care skills but differ in work setting and specific duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Des Moines, IA? The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Des Moines, IA are:
What are popular job titles related to Part Time Animal Rescue jobs in Des Moines, IA? For Part Time Animal Rescue jobs in Des Moines, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Part Time Animal Rescue jobs in Des Moines, IA look for? The top searched job categories for Part Time Animal Rescue jobs in Des Moines, IA are:
What cities near Des Moines, IA are hiring for Part Time Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Des Moines, IA with the most Part Time Animal Rescue job openings:
Part Time Animal Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Part Time Animal Rescue job openings in Des Moines, IA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,728 per year, or $20.5 per hour.
Animal Adoption Counselor

Animal Adoption Counselor

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 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

754th of 759 rated non-profit organizations

Job description

Animal Adoption Counselor

Help pets meet their perfect match.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking compassionate, customer-focused individuals to join our team as an Animal Adoption Counselor. This role helps connect homeless pets with loving families while creating a welcoming and positive experience for adopters, visitors, volunteers, and community partners. This is a great opportunity for someone with customer service, retail, hospitality, and animal handling experience who enjoys helping people, working with animals, and being part of a mission-driven team.

Schedule

We are currently hiring for both full-time and part-time opportunities.

Part-time:

  • Up to 30 hours per week
  • Hours are typically scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday or Sunday availability is required

Before You Apply: See the Role in Action

Watch Adoption Supervisor, Brian Madison, share what makes this position rewarding, what a typical day looks like, and the qualities that help team members succeed on the Adoption team.

Animal Adoption Counselor Career Spotlight Video

This short video offers an inside look at the team, the work, and the impact you will have helping pets find loving homes.

About the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources. Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.

What You’ll Do
  • Welcome visitors and guide potential adopters through the adoption process.
  • Answer questions, review adoption applications, and help facilitate successful matches between people and pets.
  • Provide basic information about animal behavior, medical needs, and adoption expectations.
  • Assist with retail purchases, transactions, and cash drawer balancing.
  • Help maintain clean, organized, and welcoming adoption lobby and work areas.
  • Support off-site adoption events and community outreach opportunities.
  • Work closely with staff and volunteers while using low-stress, compassionate animal handling techniques.
What We’re Looking For
  • High school diploma or GED, required.
  • Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.
  • Previous customer service, retail, hospitality, animal handling, animal welfare, veterinary clinic, shelter, or community event experience preferred.
  • Strong communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to stay professional and compassionate in a fast-paced environment.
  • Dependable, organized, adaptable, and comfortable working with people and animals.
  • Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
Benefits for Full-Time Employees

The ARL is proud to offer competitive, market-driven compensation and a mission-focused culture. In addition, a variety of benefits are available to full-time employees including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance
  • Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
  • Veterinary benefits
  • Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies
Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position works in an active animal shelter and adoption environment and may require standing, walking, bending, cleaning, safely handling animals, transporting animals, supporting events, and lifting up to 50 pounds. The role may involve exposure to moderate noise, animal waste, cleaning chemicals, zoonotic diseases, and the possibility of bites or scratches while following established safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join the ARL?

As an Animal Adoption Counselor, your work helps pets find loving homes while supporting adopters through an important and exciting decision. You will play a meaningful role in creating positive adoption experiences for people and animals.

If you are compassionate, customer-focused, and excited to help pets and people connect, we would love to have you join our team.

Employment in this position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.

What Animal Rescue League of Iowa employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom