ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Working Animals Jobs in Amherst, MA (NOW HIRING)

Petco

Sales Associate

Holyoke, MA · On-site

$13.75 - $18.75/hr

... and working as part of a team in a fast-paced, purpose-driven retail environment. What You'll Do Pet First * Support the health, safety, and proper care of all animals in accordance with Petco ...

Petco

Sales Associate

East Longmeadow, MA · On-site

$14 - $19/hr

... and working as part of a team in a fast-paced, purpose-driven retail environment. What You'll Do Pet First * Support the health, safety, and proper care of all animals in accordance with Petco ...

Petco

Sales Associate

East Longmeadow, MA

$14 - $19/hr

... and working as part of a team in a fast-paced, purpose-driven retail environment. What You'll Do Pet First * Support the health, safety, and proper care of all animals in accordance with Petco ...

Petco

Sales Associate

Holyoke, MA · On-site

$13.75 - $18.75/hr

... and working as part of a team in a fast-paced, purpose-driven retail environment. What You'll Do Pet First * Support the health, safety, and proper care of all animals in accordance with Petco ...

Western Mass Wildlife Removal

Be Seen First

Home Repair Specialist

West Springfield, MA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Much of the work will include working on and around roofs. Qualifications: * Must be able to use ... animals from entering and damaging structures.

Destinationpet

Bather

Westfield, MA

$18/hr

Experience working with animals is a plus but not required-we'll train the right human. * You bring calm vibes to even the wildest wash days. * Time management, patience, and a positive attitude are ...

Destinationpet

Bather

Westfield, MA · On-site

$16 - $17/hr

Experience working with animals is a plus but not required-we'll train the right human. * You bring calm vibes to even the wildest wash days. * Time management, patience, and a positive attitude are ...

LFB USA, Inc.

Operations Tech I

Charlton, MA · On-site

$24/hr

Assess animals and initiate veterinary care and animal treatments. * Perform animal identification ... Exhibit strong working knowledge of computer applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook ...

LFB USA

Operations Tech I

Charlton, MA · On-site

$24/hr

Assess animals and initiate veterinary care and animal treatments. * Perform animal identification ... Exhibit strong working knowledge of computer applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook ...

Stantec

Water Resources EIT

Northampton, MA · On-site

$67K - $94K/yr

Working knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS * Experience with surface water hydrology and hydraulics ... animals/plants) or biological contact. Work in an environment where the noise and temperature ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsWorking Animals JobsWorking Animals Jobs in Amherst, MA

Working Animals information

See Amherst, MA salary details

$8

$13

$18

How much do working animals jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for working animals in Amherst, MA is $13.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.59 and $15.14 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.

What are popular job titles related to Working Animals jobs in Amherst, MA?

For Working Animals jobs in Amherst, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Working Animals jobs in Amherst, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Working Animals jobs in Amherst, MA are:

What cities near Amherst, MA are hiring for Working Animals jobs?

Cities near Amherst, MA with the most Working Animals job openings:

Working Animals jobs near you
Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Amherst, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,267 per year, or $13.6 per hour.

Animal Care Attendant (Flexible Working Hours)

Destinationpet

Westfield, MA

$15/hr

Part-time

Retirement

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Welcome to Destination Pet. We are One Pack- a united team working together to elevate the love and lives of pet families. Our pet-obsessed professionals create a connected care network of trustworthy partners who bring creative innovation every day. We are revolutionizing the pet industry. Join us!

We're currently sniffing out our next Animal Care Attendant at Barkefellers- Westfield

Do you speak fluent "woof" or "meow"? Know the joy of puppy kisses and the chaos of a zoomie's session? If you're passionate about paws and ready to turn your love for animals into a rewarding job, we've got a tail-wagging opportunity for you.

At Destination Pet, we're not just another Pet/Vet care center-we're a community that lives to elevate the love and lives of pet families. Since 2016, we've been serving up best-in-show care from coast to coast with day care, boarding, grooming, training, veterinary services, and more. Whether its belly rubs or brushing, our goal is simple: make pets feel at home and their humans feel at ease.

Perks & Pay:

Telehealth, 401K, Pet Insurance

Pay starts at $15.00/hour DOE + tips

What You Should Know:

  • This is an on-your-feet, hands-on, sometimes-sweaty kind of job.
  • Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs (golden retrievers don't walk themselves to the tub).
  • Availability on evenings, weekends, and holidays required pets don't take days off.
  • Exposure to cleaning supplies, pet hair, and, ahem, "accidents" is part of the gig.
  • Must be able to be on feet for the duration of your shift.
  • Must be able to stand, walk and climb stairs frequently

Reporting To:

General Manager

What You Bring to the Table:

  • A borderline-obsessive love for animals. (We get it. We're the same.)
  • Prior kennel or animal care experience is a plus, but if you're brand new and eager to learn-we want to meet you!
  • A cool, calm, and professional demeanor-even when a Great Dane steals your mop.
  • A willingness to get your hands dirty (literally).

What You'll Be Doing (Besides Making Furry Friends for Life):

  • Keeping pet enclosures and play areas spotless, safe, and sanitized (because nobody likes a stinky litter box).
  • Serving up meals and fresh water like a 5-star pet resort concierge.
  • Monitoring the health, happiness, and, yes, poop of every pet guest-because details matter.
  • Reporting anything unusual to the General or Assistant Manager (you'll be their eyes and ears).
  • Supervising playtime, tail-wagging, and the occasional game of fetch.
  • Assisting with brushing and bath time (rubber ducky optional).
  • Handling laundry and belongings so every pet has clean snuggly stuff.
  • Making tails wag. That's the real goal here.
  • Other duties as assigned

Four shifts per week, one shift on either Saturday or Sunday is required.

Destination Pet LLC affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.
Destination Pet LLC endeavors to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, we provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our recruitment team.
At Destination Pet, we're all about creating a workplace that's bursting with diversity and inclusivity. We don't play favorites or judge folks based on skin color, religion, gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristics. Our hiring decisions are solely based on what you can bring to the team. So, we're throwing the door wide open for all like-minded candidates who believe in celebrating and honoring diversity and inclusion. Ready to join our pack?

Apply