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Working Animals Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AAVMP

Veterinarian

Westbrook, ME · On-site

$105 - $150/hr

We are also proud to serve the Westbrook Police Department and support the working animals that serve our community. If you're looking for a positive workplace where your skills and contributions ...

VCA Seaside Animal Hospital

Veterinarian

Westbrook, ME · On-site

$105 - $150/hr

We are also proud to serve the Westbrook Police Department and support the working animals that serve our community. If you're looking for a positive workplace where your skills and contributions ...

Mercy For Animals

US/CAN Prospects

OR · On-site +1

Thank you for your interest in working at Mercy For Animals! Please follow the process below to submit a general application of interest, and we will keep your resume and cover letter in our database ...

Mercy For Animals

US/CAN Prospects

Thank you for your interest in working at Mercy For Animals! Please follow the process below to submit a general application of interest, and we will keep your resume and cover letter in our database ...

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Working Animals information

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$8

$13

$18

How much do working animals jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for working animals in the United States is $13.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.78 and $15.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a working animal?

Working animals are animals that have been trained to perform specific tasks or services for humans. These roles can include herding livestock, pulling carts or plows, providing transportation, assisting people with disabilities, performing search and rescue, or even detecting drugs and explosives. Common examples include horses, dogs, donkeys, and oxen. Working animals have played a significant role in human societies throughout history and continue to be important in many industries and communities today.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to work with working animals?

To excel as an animal trainer for working animals, you need a strong understanding of animal behavior, training techniques, and relevant animal care practices, often supported by a high school diploma or animal science coursework. Familiarity with positive reinforcement tools, clicker training systems, and animal handling equipment is typically required. Patience, clear communication, and observational skills are crucial soft skills that help build trust and ensure effective training. These competencies are vital for ensuring the safety, well-being, and optimal performance of working animals in professional settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with service or therapy animals, and how can these be managed?

Professionals who work with service or therapy animals often encounter challenges such as maintaining the animals’ training and behavior standards, ensuring their health and well-being, and fostering effective communication between the animal and handler. It’s also common to navigate public misconceptions and access issues when bringing animals into various environments. Managing these challenges involves ongoing education, regular health check-ups for the animals, and strong teamwork with both human and animal partners. Support from experienced colleagues and continuing professional development are also valuable in overcoming these daily obstacles.

What is the difference between Working Animals vs Search and Rescue Dogs?

AspectWorking AnimalsSearch and Rescue Dogs
Required CredentialsBasic training, certifications vary by taskAdvanced training, certifications in search and rescue techniques
Work EnvironmentFarms, farms, urban areas, specialized environmentsDisaster sites, wilderness, urban search zones
Employer & IndustryAgriculture, transportation, service industriesEmergency services, rescue organizations

Working Animals encompass a broad range of animals trained for various tasks across industries, while Search and Rescue Dogs are specifically trained to locate missing persons in disaster or wilderness scenarios. Both roles require specialized training, but Search and Rescue Dogs undergo more intensive certification processes and operate primarily in emergency environments. Understanding these differences helps clarify their unique functions and training requirements.

What careers let you work with working animals?

Careers involving working animals include roles such as animal trainer, equine veterinarian, livestock handler, search and rescue dog handler, and zoo keeper. These jobs often require specialized training, certifications, and hands-on experience working directly with animals in various environments like farms, shelters, or training facilities.
More about Working Animals jobs

What cities are hiring for Working Animals jobs?

Cities with the most Working Animals job openings:

What states have the most Working Animals jobs?

States with the most job openings for Working Animals jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Working Animals jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Working Animals jobs are:

Working Animals jobs near you
Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,701 per year, or $13.8 per hour.

Animal Caregiver - On Call Non Humane World for Animals Employee

Humane World for Animals

Hagerstown, MD • On-site

$18/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

This is an on-call position, and the deployments will be in Hagerstown, MD.
The pay rate is $18 per hour.
In this position you will deploy as needed to assist the Humane World for Animals Animal Rescue Team (ART) and will be responsible for providing compassionate and attentive care, maintaining a clean and healthy environment for animals and staff, and daily observation of animals housed within the Humane World Maryland Care and Rehabilitation center.
This is a non Humane World for Animals position and will be employed through a 3rd party.
You will be responsible for:
• Daily feeding, watering, and thorough cleaning of living and common spaces for all animals;
• Feeding and providing water for the animals, including providing special diets as needed;
• Spot cleaning animal and common areas throughout the day;
• Cleaning and upkeeping both inside and outside of the facility including shoveling snow;
• Monitoring the health and behavior of the animals in the shelter on an
ongoing basis to aid in the rapid identification of concerns and immediately reporting them to the appropriate party;
• Assisting with the movement of the animals throughout the shelter
• Assisting and partaking in the training of new staff and volunteers;
• Treating all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance;
• Stocking supplies as needed;
• Working courteously and cooperatively with other staff members, volunteers, management, and rescue partners;
• Performing other duties or responsibilities, as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements:
• High school diploma or equivalent required;
• Experience in a kennel or shelter setting preferred;
• Experience handling animals in distress preferred;
• Ability to complete Fear Free Shelters training within 30 days of onboarding;
• Ability to handle animals safely and humanely;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Strong oral and written communications skills;
• Ability to work independently or as a team, take initiative, and maintain good communication with HSUS staff;
• Ability to periodically work long days outside standard work hours, holidays, and weekends. Ability to handle physical aspects of the job to include, but not limited to walking, jumping, reaching, moving, and lifting objects up to 50 pounds;
• Ability to work around animals and in physically demanding and sometimes hazardous environments with potential exposure to zoonotic diseases;
While performing the duties of this job, the caregiver is frequently required to walk, sit, talk. hear; bend or stoop; use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The caregiver is occasionally required to, kneel, or crawl.
When applying please submit your resume and cover letter as one document.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status or protected veteran status. EOE

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