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Working Animals Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Pet Admissions Associate

Castle Rock, CO · On-site

$20.60 - $21.52/hr

Professional experience in animal welfare/ working with animals * Knowledge of veterinary care/animal health * Experience providing high level of service to customers * Experience working with ...

Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows. * Sanitizes and washes multiple ... Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working ...

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Working Animals information

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 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 cities in Colorado are hiring for Working Animals jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Working Animals job openings:

Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, and 57% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Shelter Associate - Temporary Opportunity

Denver Dumb Friends League

Alamosa, CO • On-site

$20.60 - $21.52/hr

Temporary

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


Job description

Job Type
Temporary
Description
Humane Colorado is seeking a compassionate and dependable Shelter Associate to join our Alamosa team.
In this hands-on role, you will provide daily care for sheltered animals, maintain clean and safe kennel and facility spaces, support adoptions and animal intakes, assist patrons, administer vaccinations and preventive medications, maintain animal records, and provide guidance to volunteers. The ideal candidate is comfortable handling animals of varying sizes and temperaments, working independently, and contributing to a collaborative, fast-paced shelter environment.
Purpose of Position: Provide humane care for sheltered animals, maintain kennel facilities while completing adoption and animal intake counseling to shelter patrons. Perform custodial work in public areas, staff areas and shelter grounds; provide assistance to patrons relinquishing animals to Humane Colorado.
Responsibilities
  • Thoroughly clean and sanitize animal kennel and other work areas.
  • Provide care, monitor health, and perform handling of the animals.
  • Assist with coordination of kenneling and movement of animals.
  • Direct and provide guidance for volunteers.
  • Monitor and maintain food and supplies.
  • Greet, interact with, and provide information patrons.
  • Assist with care of shelter animals, the adoption of animals, the intake of animals, and veterinarian services tasks.
  • Administer vaccinations and preventative medications.
  • Perform or assist with maintenance of equipment.
  • Perform data entry and documentation to create and update animal records.
  • Coordinate supply management including stocking bathrooms, animal rooms and ensuring adequate levels of food, cleaning and maintenance supplies.
  • Perform basic maintenance on cleaning equipment.
  • Perform basic janitorial needs of the building.
  • Adhere to all safety, training, and handling and transportation protocols in order to ensure that the Shelter environment is safe for animals, the public, volunteers, and other employees.
  • Wear required identification and use personal protective clothing and safety equipment as defined by policies and procedures.
  • Contribute to initiatives to improve processes and procedures.
  • Perform euthanasia and related tasks.

People Care
People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.
Competencies
Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources.
Organizational Key Competencies
  • Integrity and Ethics
  • Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
  • Customer and Community Focus
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Excellence

Position Key Competencies
  • Accountability
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical thinking
  • Initiative
  • Time management
  • Contribute to initiatives to improve processes and procedures.
  • Conflict Management

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility
Department Volunteers
Compensation: Starting at $20.60-$21.52 per hour; (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)
Shift Details: 4 month temporary, full time position (4x10 shifts)
Requirements
Position Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
  • Ability to work independently while following specific procedures and protocols
  • Ability to follow timelines for projects, accomplish multiple tasks, and maintain flexibility in a dynamic work environment
  • High level of personal responsibility, attention to detail, and punctuality
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to effectively work in a team environment

Required
  • Education : High school diploma or equivalent
  • Work Experience: None

Desired
  • Experience working with and handling animals in a shelter or similar environment
  • Experience in a veterinary setting
  • If driving a company vehicle, valid driver's license with insurable driving record

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements
Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in high noise level areas. Potentially prolonged periods of sitting and repetitive motion. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping, standing, and walking, Frequent lifting of animals and objects up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodations and occasional lifting up to 75 lbs. with reasonable accommodation. Will be exposed to the elements (cold, rain, etc.) while performing duties outside. Will be required to work evenings, weekends and/or holidays as business operations demand.
Posting will remain open until filled, with a minimum posting period of 5 days.
Salary Description
$20.60-$21.52