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Work Animal Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and ... As a Companion Animal Supervisor , you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the ...

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and ... As a Companion Animal Supervisor , you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the ...

Animal Control Officer 1

Portland, OR · On-site

$26.07 - $32.06/hr

Communicate, coordinate, and work alongside community partners, including law enforcement, emergency services, and other animal welfare agencies If you would like to take part in this exciting ...

Animal Control Officer 1

Portland, OR · On-site

$26.07 - $32.06/hr

Communicate, coordinate, and work alongside community partners, including law enforcement, emergency services, and other animal welfare agencies If you would like to take part in this exciting ...

Animal Control Officer 1

Portland, OR · On-site

$26.07 - $32.06/hr

Communicate, coordinate, and work alongside community partners, including law enforcement, emergency services, and other animal welfare agencies If you would like to take part in this exciting ...

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Work Animal information

See Portland, OR salary details

$10

$22

$29

How much do work animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for work animal in Portland, OR is $22.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.37 and $26.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a work animal?

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 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 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 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 job categories do people searching Work Animal jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Work Animal jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Work Animal jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Work Animal job openings:

Infographic showing various Work Animal job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,432 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Animal Care Supervisor

Petco

Beaverton, OR • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Petco rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 639 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

458th of 734 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 Supervisor, you are a trusted subject-matter leader responsible for the health, care, and presentation of our live animals while driving sales, customer experience, and operational excellence within the Companion Animal and Aquatics departments.
You lead through expertise and influence, coaching partners to deliver exceptional animal care and knowledgeable service. You combine a deep commitment to pet welfare with strong operational discipline and business acumen to achieve sales, margin, and shrink goals, all while modeling Petco's leadership expectations.
What You'll Do
Pet First
  • Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all live animals through strict adherence to Petco standards, policies, and veterinary protocols.
  • Complete and oversee hourly animal health checks, wellness cards, and required documentation.
  • Ensure proper handling, care, and documentation of adoption animals.
  • Act immediately and appropriately for sick or injured animals in alignment with veterinary protocols.

Foster the Fun
  • Coach and mentor partners to deliver confident, compassionate, and knowledgeable customer interactions.
  • Create a welcoming, engaging environment in the Companion Animal and Aquatics areas through high presentation standards.
  • Promote a positive culture of teamwork, inclusion, and collaboration.
  • Lead by example modeling Petco's selling behaviors and customer service expectations.

Let's Go!
  • Drive Companion Animal and Aquatics sales, margin, and shrink performance through disciplined execution.
  • Utilize business insights to analyze trends, identify opportunities, and implement improvement plans.
  • Efficiently order live animals to balance animal welfare, inventory levels, sales, and margin goals.
  • Support Omni-Channel execution, including BOPUS, ship-from-store, curbside, and endless aisle.
  • Serve as Leader on Duty, supporting Pet Care Center operations, communication, safety, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities
Animal Care & Operations
  • Execute Companion Animal and Aquatics operations including animal care, maintenance, ordering, regulatory compliance, CAPI, HAHC, CAPC, and veterinary partnerships.
  • Ensure all animal maintenance tasks are completed according to the Maintenance Task List.
  • Maintain operational, safety, and regulatory standards at all times.
  • Achieve high standards of cleanliness, care, and visual presentation in all animal areas.

Business & Customer Experience
  • Process transactions efficiently while delivering a great customer experience.
  • Monitor sales, margin, and inventory reports to support department performance.
  • Share product and animal care knowledge to help customers make informed decisions using Petco's selling strategy.
  • Assist with additional duties as needed to support business needs.

People Leadership
  • Train, coach, and develop partners in animal care, selling behaviors, and operational routines.
  • Provide ongoing feedback and support to strengthen partner performance and 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.
  • The Companion Animal department meets or exceeds sales, margin, and shrink goals
  • Partners are confident, well-trained, and proud of the care they provide.

What You Bring
Experience & Skills
  • High school Diploma or GED preferred.
  • 1+ year of supervisory experience, preferably in a pet retail environment.
  • Strong knowledge of companion animals, aquatics, and animal care practices.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • High focus on customer service and people development.

Essential Functions & Work Environment
This role is primarily performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment. The Companion Animal Supervisor is expected to be regularly present on the sales floor, leading by example and engaging with partners, customers, and pets.
  • Majority of work is conducted indoors; however, occasional duties may require leaving the Pet Care Center for tasks such as bank deposits, merchandise transport, or community events.
  • 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.
  • This is a full-time position. Eligibility for full-time status is based on average hours worked, as defined by company policy and applicable law.
  • A limited amount of travel may be required for training, meetings, or community engagement.

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.
  • Hands-on leadership experience and career growth opportunities.
  • A supportive, inclusive culture built on teamwork and authenticity.
  • The chance to grow your leadership skills while having fun doing meaningful work

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.
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