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Working With Animals Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Assistant

Gig Harbor, WA · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Genuine passion for working with animals, including those that may be stressed, frightened, ill, or in pain. * Previous veterinary or animal care experience preferred (1+ year), but not required.

Animal Care Technician

Seattle, WA · On-site

$27.24 - $42/hr

Summary Are you someone who takes great interest in the health and wellbeing of animals and can also work considerately and effectively with their human owners. Are you interested in being a leader ...

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Working With Animals information

See Renton, WA salary details

$13

$24

$35

How much do working with animals jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for working with animals in Renton, WA is $24.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.00 and $27.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced when working with animals in a professional setting?

Professionals working with animals often encounter challenges such as unpredictable animal behavior, physically demanding tasks, and emotional stress from caring for sick or injured animals. Adapting quickly to each animal's unique temperament and needs is essential, as is following strict safety and hygiene protocols. Teamwork is also crucial, as animal care roles frequently require close collaboration with veterinarians, trainers, and other specialists to ensure the well-being of the animals.

What is the difference between Working With Animals vs Animal Care Technician?

AspectWorking With AnimalsAnimal Care Technician
Required CredentialsVaries; often no formal certification neededCertification or training often preferred or required
Work EnvironmentZoos, shelters, farms, pet storesVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal welfare organizations, pet industry, farmsVeterinary hospitals, research facilities, shelters
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles involving animalsDetails about animal care responsibilities and qualifications

Working With Animals is a broad term covering various roles involving animal interaction, while Animal Care Technicians focus specifically on providing medical and daily care in veterinary or shelter settings. Both roles require a passion for animals, but Animal Care Technicians often need specific training or certification. The choice depends on your desired work environment and career goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a career working with animals?

To thrive in a career working with animals, you generally need knowledge of animal behavior, basic animal care, and, for some roles, certifications or degrees in animal science or veterinary technology. Familiarity with animal handling equipment, record-keeping systems, and sometimes first aid or animal CPR certification is typical. Compassion, patience, and strong observational skills are crucial soft skills for ensuring animal welfare and effective communication with team members or pet owners. These skills and qualities are vital for promoting animal health, safety, and positive human-animal interactions in various professional settings.

What does working with animals involve?

Working with animals can include a variety of roles such as veterinary care, animal training, animal shelter work, wildlife conservation, and research. Professionals in this field may care for animals' health, train them for specific tasks, or work to conserve endangered species. The work environment can range from clinics and zoos to laboratories and the wild. Responsibilities often include feeding, cleaning, monitoring behavior, and sometimes educating the public about animal welfare. The job can be physically demanding but is often rewarding for animal lovers.
What job categories do people searching Working With Animals jobs in Renton, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Working With Animals jobs in Renton, WA are:
What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Working With Animals jobs? Cities near Renton, WA with the most Working With Animals job openings:
Infographic showing various Working With Animals job openings in Renton, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,779 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

$18 - $21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Veterinary Assistant Join Our Team

Are you passionate about animal care and looking to make a difference every day? We are seeking a compassionate, dependable, and hardworking Veterinary Assistant to join our dedicated team. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting our veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and the entire hospital team while helping provide exceptional care to our patients and outstanding service to our clients.

Responsibilities
  • Assist with patient care and treatments.
  • Monitor hospitalized pets and provide post-operative care under supervision.
  • Assist with administering medications under the direction of a Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician.
  • Perform routine diagnostic procedures, including:
    • Taking radiographs (X-rays)
    • Running laboratory bloodwork
    • Reading fecal samples
  • Safely restrain animals during examinations, blood draws, nail trims, and other procedures.
  • Maintain, clean, and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment.
  • Maintain inventory and stock supplies throughout the hospital.
  • Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, exam rooms, treatment areas, and other hospital spaces.

Qualifications

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Ability to multitask, stay organized, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Self-motivated with a positive attitude and strong teamwork skills.
  • Genuine passion for working with animals, including those that may be stressed, frightened, ill, or in pain.
  • Previous veterinary or animal care experience preferred (1+ year), but not required.
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Physical Requirements
  • Ability to lift up to 40 pounds independently and assist with lifting larger animals with team members.
  • Ability to walk or stand for extended periods.
  • Frequently bend, squat, kneel, and perform physically active tasks throughout the workday.
  • Comfortable handling and restraining animals safely and compassionately.
Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Pay: $18.00-$21.00 per hour, depending on experience (DOE).

Benefits Offered:
  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Employee discounts
  • Uniform allowance
Why Join Us?

If you're passionate about animal health and wellness and want to work alongside a team of highly devoted animal advocates, we'd love to hear from you. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and the families who love them.


NVA logo

About NVA

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Nashville Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency (NVS) is a veterinary specialty and emergency hospital group with two locations in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee. Our Mission and primary focus is to honor the human-animal bond in all we do, focusing on patient care, client experience, and the health of our team. We believe we can never stop improving and strive to improve in all we do. Not only do we focus on patient care, but core to our hospital culture is also a focus on the health of our team, our community, and the environment. We are committed to sustainable environmental practices. NVS works in partnership with National Veterinary Associates-Compassion-First (NVA C-F). NVA-CF is the largest private owner of freestanding veterinary hospitals in North America with over 1400 locations worldwide.

Headquarters location

Agoura Hills, CA, US