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Working With Cats Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Enjoys working with cats and wants to develop strong feline‑specific skills * Is interested in dentistry, anesthesia, and surgery * Uses patient, gentle, low‑stress handling techniques * Is ...

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Cat Cafe Host

Washington, DC · On-site

$17.95/hr

This role is ideal for someone who loves cats, enjoys working with people, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and takes pride in creating positive experiences and maintaining high standards.

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Working With Cats information

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$11

$19

$26

How much do working with cats jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for working with cats in Washington is $19.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $21.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does working with cats involve?

Working with cats can include a range of roles such as veterinary care, animal shelter work, grooming, pet sitting, or behavior training. These jobs typically involve feeding, cleaning, monitoring health, providing enrichment, and sometimes administering medication. Depending on the specific role, you may also educate cat owners, help socialize cats, or assist with adoptions. A genuine love for animals, patience, and understanding feline behavior are important for success in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a professional role working with cats, and why are they important?

To thrive in a professional role working with cats, such as a veterinary technician, animal behaviorist, or shelter worker, you need a solid understanding of feline health, behavior, and care, often supported by relevant certifications or training in animal science or veterinary technology. Familiarity with animal handling equipment, medical records systems, and diagnostic tools is typically required. Patience, keen observation, and strong communication skills are crucial for interpreting animal needs and educating pet owners or colleagues. These skills ensure the well-being of cats under your care and foster effective collaboration and client satisfaction.

What are some common challenges faced when working professionally with cats, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals working with cats, such as veterinary technicians, animal shelter workers, or feline behaviorists, often encounter challenges like stress-induced aggression, difficulty in handling, and communication barriers. To address these, it's important to use gentle handling techniques, invest time in building trust with each cat, and stay attuned to feline body language. Ongoing education in feline behavior and stress reduction, as well as collaboration with experienced colleagues, can help make interactions safer and more positive for both staff and cats.

What is the difference between Working With Cats vs Working With Dogs?

AspectWorking With CatsWorking With Dogs
CertificationsAnimal care certifications, pet first aidAnimal care certifications, pet first aid
Work EnvironmentIndoor settings, quiet environmentsOutdoor and indoor settings, active environments
Industry UsagePet sitting, veterinary clinics, sheltersDog walking, training, veterinary clinics

Both roles involve animal care and require similar certifications, but Working With Cats typically focuses on indoor, quieter environments, while Working With Dogs often involves outdoor activities and more active settings. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path based on your preferences and skills.

What careers work with cats?

Careers that work with cats include veterinary technicians, animal shelter workers, pet groomers, cat behaviorists, and veterinary doctors. These roles often require knowledge of feline health, behavior, and handling, and may involve working in clinics, shelters, or pet care facilities.

What qualifications do you need to work with cats?

Working with cats typically requires a genuine interest in animal care, basic knowledge of feline behavior, and good communication skills. Some positions may require animal handling experience or certifications in pet first aid and CPR. Formal education is not always necessary but can be beneficial for specialized roles such as veterinary technicians or animal behaviorists.

What are popular job titles related to Working With Cats jobs in Washington?

For Working With Cats jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Working With Cats jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Working With Cats jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various Working With Cats job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,614 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Certified Veterinary Technician

AAVMP

Arlington, VA • On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Sign-On Bonus: Up to $10,000 for qualified credentialed veterinary technicians

NOVA Cat Clinic is hiring a Certified Veterinary Technician to join our feline-exclusive practice in Arlington, Virginia.

This is an opportunity for a credentialed veterinary technician who wants to use their skills, take meaningful ownership of dentistry and surgery, and work with a team that genuinely shares the workload.

Our technicians are not limited to basic support tasks. You will be an important part of anesthesia, dentistry, surgery, technician appointments, diagnostics, treatment planning, therapeutic laser appointments, and day-to-day patient care.

Why Join NOVA Cat Clinic?

NOVA Cat Clinic is a full-service, feline-exclusive hospital and a Gold AAFP Cat-Friendly Practice. Everything about our environment and workflow is designed around the specific needs of cats.

Our team uses gentle, feline-friendly handling techniques and works to reduce stress throughout the veterinary visit. You will have the opportunity to focus entirely on feline patients while building advanced skills in dentistry, anesthesia, diagnostics, pain management, and chronic disease care.

Our doctors are teachers who are willing to answer questions, provide guidance, and work beside the support team. They draw blood, clean cages, help with patient care, and step in when they see that someone needs assistance.

We do not operate with a "that is not my job" mentality. Everyone contributes, communicates, and helps keep the hospital moving.

Schedule
  • Four-day workweek
  • Consistent weekday off
  • Monday through Friday schedule
  • No weekend shifts
  • Clinic hours are 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
  • Five-day scheduling may be considered based on candidate preference and hospital needs

The schedule is coordinated with the doctors and procedure calendar. Most technician shifts will include a combination of dentistry, surgery, technician appointments, treatment-room responsibilities, and diagnostic support.

What You Will Do

In this role, you will:

  • Support feline dental procedures, including dental radiography, cleaning, polishing, anesthesia, monitoring, and recovery
  • Prepare patients for surgery and assist with routine soft‑tissue procedures
  • Administer and monitor anesthesia
  • Place IV catheters
  • Perform blood collection and assist with urine collection
  • Obtain diagnostic radiographs
  • Conduct technician appointments
  • Administer rabies vaccines when permitted within your credentialed scope
  • Perform therapeutic MLS laser appointments
  • Assist doctors during appointments and procedures
  • Maintain accurate medical records
  • Explain follow‑up care and home‑care instructions to clients
  • Prepare and maintain dental, surgical, treatment, and examination areas
  • Monitor and restock clinical supplies
  • Participate in cleaning, laundry, cage care, and general upkeep of patient‑care spaces
  • Communicate with doctors, assistants, client service representatives, and leadership throughout the day

Dentistry is a major part of this position. Before the current staffing shortage, the hospital regularly performed dental procedures four days per week. The person joining this team will play a central role in rebuilding that service and restoring the practice's full dental and surgical schedule.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

  • Holds an active CVT, LVT, RVT, or equivalent veterinary technician credential
  • Has graduated from an accredited veterinary technology program or is nearing graduation and eligible to complete credentialing requirements
  • Enjoys working with cats and wants to develop strong feline‑specific skills
  • Is interested in dentistry, anesthesia, and surgery
  • Uses patient, gentle, low‑stress handling techniques
  • Is comfortable working independently while communicating closely with the team
  • Recognizes what needs to be done and steps in to help
  • Is receptive to training and continued learning
  • Takes responsibility for maintaining clean, organized clinical spaces
  • Values teamwork over titles or rigid job boundaries

Experienced technicians are encouraged to apply, and newly credentialed technicians will be considered. New graduates should be prepared to obtain the required credential promptly and demonstrate a strong interest in feline medicine, dentistry, and anesthesia.

Our Hospital

NOVA Cat Clinic provides preventive, diagnostic, medical, dental, and surgical care exclusively for cats.

Our clinical services and resources include:

  • Feline dentistry and dental radiography
  • Digital full‑body radiography
  • Soft‑tissue surgery
  • In‑house and reference laboratory testing
  • Therapeutic MLS laser
  • Technician appointments
  • Acupuncture
  • I‑131 treatment
  • Cubex medication management
  • Feline‑focused examination and treatment spaces

Our clients are highly engaged in their cats' care and are generally receptive to recommended diagnostics, bloodwork, dentistry, and treatment plans. This allows our team to practice thorough medicine and provide meaningful continuity of care.

Join Our Team

This role is ideal for a credentialed technician who wants their skills to matter.

You will have the opportunity to help restore an important dental and surgical program, work alongside supportive doctors, and build relationships with clients who are committed to their cats' care.

BENEFITS

We're passionate about helping you reach your greatest potential- both at work and at home. As a result, our total compensation package is outstanding and rewarding :

  • Great pay with competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
  • 401K with a company match of up to 4%- after 6 months of service
  • Generous paid time off
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Company‑paid bonding leave
Plus, special benefits to utilize for your own pet:
  • Pet Care: Discounts on veterinary services and products
  • Pet Diagnostics: Discounts on reference lab testing
  • Pet Food: Discounts on Purina pet foods
  • Pet Insurance: Discounts available with our preferred vendor
REQUIREMENTS
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Veterinary Technician Certification (CVT) or License (LVT) required

Rarebreed Veterinary Partners is a purpose‑driven team that places talent first by supporting professionals to thrive in our industry and empowering hospital teams to provide exceptional care for pets and their owners. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile to create exceptional work experiences for our hospital teams. We focus on providing our hospitals with the best culture, tools, and support to allow the staff to focus on what they love most: caring for our animal companions.

Joining our fun and team‑first atmosphere comes with a level of support that's hard to find anywhere else. Everything we do is with purpose - down to the way we invest in our people and create long‑overdue change in the industry. We're hyper‑focused on supporting our professionals, so they can focus on bringing the gold standard of medicine to our patients and their families.

Employment will require the successful completion of references and background check.

Rarebreed Veterinary Partners provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics or classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Learn more about our career opportunities at: https://rarebreedvet.com/careers/

Where uncommon support partners with joy.

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