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Working Animals Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Kennel Technician

Gardendale, AL · On-site

$11 - $14.25/hr

Previous experience working with animals (professional or volunteer) preferred * Basic knowledge of animal behavior and handling is a plus * Ability to follow detailed instructions and hospital ...

Kennel Technician

Gardendale, AL · On-site

$11 - $14.25/hr

Previous experience working with animals (professional or volunteer) preferred * Basic knowledge of animal behavior and handling is a plus * Ability to follow detailed instructions and hospital ...

Kennel Attendant

Montgomery, AL · On-site

$10.50 - $13.50/hr

Previous experience with animals preferred * Customer service attitude * Organizational skills * Team oriented, enjoys working as part of team * Solid communication skills All Full Time Team Members ...

Kennel Attendant

Montgomery, AL

$10.50 - $13.50/hr

Previous experience with animals preferred * Customer service attitude * Organizational skills * Team oriented, enjoys working as part of team * Solid communication skills All Full Time Team Members ...

Veterinary Assistant

Haleyville, AL · On-site

$13 - $16.25/hr

Experience working with animals, volunteering, pet sitting, farming, livestock, or other animal care is always a plus. Most importantly, we're looking for someone with a strong work ethic, a ...

Kennel Technician

Gardendale, AL · On-site

$11 - $14.25/hr

Previous experience working with animals (professional or volunteer) preferred * Basic knowledge of animal behavior and handling is a plus * Ability to follow detailed instructions and hospital ...

Showing results 21-40

Working Animals information

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.

What cities in Alabama are hiring for Working Animals jobs?

Cities in Alabama with the most Working Animals job openings:

Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Animal Control Officer -Full Time and Benefits Eligible

Greater Birmingham Humane Society

Birmingham, AL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Greater Birmingham Humane Society rating

4.2

Company rating: 4.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Do you love animals? Working with people? We are seeking a Full-Time Animal Control Officer at our Animal Care and Control facility to represent our core values and support our mission. We offer competitive compensation and a generous benefits package for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, employee pet care discounts and more! For more information, please visit us online at www.gbhs.org.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society's ('the GBHS") Animal Control Officers ("the Officers") work to ensure a safe and harmonious environment for both human and animal residents of the community. They respond to dispatches to provide animal rescue, municipal and public assistance with animal-related situations and enforcement of state and local statutes as outlined in GBHS' contracts with Jefferson County and a number of the county's municipalities. This position is subject to stand-by or call-out service (after hours).
PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS
The Officers:

  • Reports to the Animal Control Field Services Supervisor and serves as a member of the animal care and control team.
  • Works closely with the intake coordinator, impoundment, dispatch and animal care team to ensure correct intake data is given and that animals are accurately identified, recorded, and placed in kennels.
  • Interacts daily with veterinarians, clinic technicians, veterinary student externs, volunteers, the general public, and law enforcement.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Pick up and remove stray, injured, unwanted, diseased, neglected or abused animals.
  • Responsible for animal welfare and proper confinement or disposition.
  • Work with veterinarians and citizens in quarantine of suspected diseased animals.
  • Respond to citizen complaints and investigate alleged violations of animal laws and regulatory ordinances.
  • Educate citizens about services, resources, laws and regulations relating to the control, confinement, vaccination, adoption, shelter, and care of animals.
  • Patrol assigned areas to catch, handle, restrain, confine, transport and impound stray, injured, unwanted, diseased, neglected or abused animals using specialized equipment, methods and techniques.
    Visually inspect animals to determine medical condition, care received and to decide on the most appropriate course of action to be taken to prevent inhumane treatment of animals.
  • Issue warnings or citations and set up return inspection calls to ensure compliance with laws and ordinances.
  • Conduct investigations and prepare written reports of incidents.
  • Prepare accurate detailed records of daily activities and update the information of each call within the computerized program on a daily basis.
  • Assist with training new employees.
  • Testify in court as a witness in animal control related cases.
  • Perform humane euthanasia, if requested and if certified.
  • Receive and dispatch calls for service.
  • Assist in maintaining the shelter by performing such duties as recovery of animals, cleaning, feeding and other duties that may be required.
  • Observe areas of alleged violations and interview available witnesses to determine if laws are being violated.
  • Participate in educational programs presented to the community.
  • Attain animal care and control licenses and certifications as required by Supervisor and GBHS.
  • Represents the GBHS in a professional manner in all situations.
  • Perform other duties as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
  • A passion for the mission of GBHS and a sense of humor are required.
  • High school diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Possess a valid Driver's License and safe driving record
  • Must have reliable transportation to and from work, punctual attendance is required
  • Must be available to work weekdays/weekends with rotating on call shifts.
  • Must have the equivalent 1+ years in animal control or a related field (vet tech, etc.); or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
  • Must have or be able to obtain within 1 year of employment; Level 1 & 2 National Animal Control Association Training (or equivalent), Animal Control Officer Certification, Euthanasia Certification.
  • Ability to perform physical work involving standing for long periods, carrying animal crates, bending, scrubbing, mopping, walking quickly, reaching, squatting, and lifting up to 75 pounds with reasonable accommodation in a timely manner.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • A positive attitude and ability to get along with others.
  • Ability to promote and effectively communicate animal adoption and population control to other employees and the public.
  • Ability to operate office equipment and computers
PREFERRED
  • Knowledge of animal handling and communication.
  • Experience working in a kennel environment.
  • Knowledge of animal control rules, regulations, ordinances and state law.
  • Knowledge of safe, humane animal handling practices, the ability to perform safe, humane euthanasia practices in accordance with state law.

WORK CONDITIONS
This work is performed in a high noise level area. Exposure to industrial cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal feces, zoonotic (human to animal) diseases, bites and scratches. Weekend shifts may be required. Safety procedures must be adhered to at all times. Indoor/Outdoor in all weather types, as need arises. The ability to interface with angry/upset people, while remaining professional and calm.
Must be able to work in an environment that provides humane euthanasia to animals. Physical Demands: Ability to perform physical work in adverse environmental conditions; employee must be able to lift 50lbs or 75lbs with reasonable accommodation.
The GBHS is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of GBHS to provide EEO to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Must be available to work weekdays/weekends with rotating on call shifts.

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