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Work Animal Jobs in Appleton, WI (NOW HIRING)

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Oshkosh, WI · On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and ... As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare ...

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Oshkosh, WI

$15 - $19.50/hr

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and ... As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare ...

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All JobsWork Animal JobsWork Animal Jobs in Appleton, WI

Work Animal information

See Appleton, WI salary details

$9

$20

$27

How much do work animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for work animal in Appleton, WI 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 work animals?

Work animals, also known as draft or working animals, are animals that are trained to perform tasks for humans, such as carrying loads, plowing fields, herding livestock, or providing transportation. Common work animals include horses, donkeys, oxen, dogs, camels, and elephants. These animals have been essential in agriculture, transportation, and other industries throughout human history, especially before the advent of modern machinery. Today, work animals are still used in many parts of the world, particularly in rural or developing areas.

What jobs can I do with animals?

Work animals are used in various roles such as police work, search and rescue, therapy, farming, and entertainment. These jobs often require specific training, certifications, and knowledge of animal behavior and safety protocols. Common environments include farms, zoos, rescue organizations, and service settings.

What are some of the key challenges faced by work animal caretakers, and how can they be addressed to ensure animal welfare and productivity?

Caretakers of work animals often encounter challenges such as preventing overwork, managing injuries, and providing proper nutrition and rest. Balancing workload with the animal's physical capabilities is critical to maintaining health and productivity. Effective communication with veterinarians and regular health assessments help in early detection of issues, while ongoing training ensures animals are handled safely and humanely. Building strong relationships with the animals and understanding their behavior also contributes to a safer and more productive work environment.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

For a work animal or related roles, high-paying jobs that can reach $4,000 weekly without a degree are rare and typically involve specialized skills or experience. Examples include certain freelance or contract positions such as animal trainers, equine specialists, or working in the entertainment industry, where income depends on skill level, reputation, and workload. Most high-paying roles in this field require hands-on experience, certifications, or licensing rather than formal degrees.

What are good careers that work with animals?

Careers that work with animals include roles such as animal trainer, veterinarian, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, and pet groomer. These jobs often require specific skills, certifications, or degrees, and involve working in environments like clinics, zoos, farms, or shelters.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Work Animal, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Work Animal, essential traits include physical strength, stamina, trainability, and a temperament suited to working closely with humans, with selection often based on breed and health. Training typically involves learning to use harnesses, respond to commands, and operate within specific environments or alongside machinery. Patience, reliability, and responsiveness are crucial soft attributes that make a work animal excel in tasks such as farming, transport, or service work. These qualities ensure safety, efficiency, and harmonious collaboration between animals and their handlers in demanding work settings.

What is the best paying job that involves animals?

The highest paying jobs involving animals include specialized roles such as veterinary surgeons, animal researchers, and zoo directors, with veterinary surgeons often earning the most due to required advanced degrees and certifications. These positions typically require extensive education, clinical experience, and sometimes management responsibilities, and they often involve working in clinical, research, or institutional environments.

What is the difference between Work Animal vs Service Animal?

AspectWork AnimalService Animal
Credentials/CertificationsTypically no formal certification, but may require trainingMust be trained and certified according to ADA standards
Work EnvironmentRural, agricultural, or specialized settingsPublic spaces, indoor and outdoor environments
Employer/Industry UsageUsed in farming, transportation, or entertainment industriesAssists individuals with disabilities in daily activities
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles of working animalsAssistance for disabled individuals

Work animals are trained to perform tasks in agricultural or specialized settings, often without formal certification. Service animals are specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities and must meet strict certification standards. While work animals are used in industries like farming, service animals are permitted in public spaces to aid their handlers. Both play vital roles but serve different purposes and environments.

What are popular job titles related to Work Animal jobs in Appleton, WI? For Work Animal jobs in Appleton, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Work Animal jobs in Appleton, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Work Animal jobs in Appleton, WI are:
What cities near Appleton, WI are hiring for Work Animal jobs? Cities near Appleton, WI with the most Work Animal job openings:
Work Animal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Work Animal job openings in Appleton, WI as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,720 per year, or $20.5 per hour.
Animal Care Specialist

Animal Care Specialist

Petco

Oshkosh, WI • On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

Part-time

Posted 14 days ago

Petco rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 634 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

426th of 728 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 distinct 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:
$15.00
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