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Working With Pets Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pets In Need

Animal Behaviorist

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT For more than 60 years, Pets In Need (PIN) has provided animals with ... Experience working in an animal shelter, rescue, veterinary, or animal welfare environment required.

groomer has it

Pet Groomer

Englishtown, NJ

Fun Working Environment * Interact with Pets Job Summary We are searching for an experienced Pet Groomer to join the team at our successful grooming business. As a Pet Groomer, you will bathe and ...

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Alpha Dogs Pet Grooming LLC

Pet Bather

Boston, MA · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Fun Working Environment * Interact with Pets Job Summary We are searching for an experienced Pet Bather to join the team at our successful grooming business. As a Pet Bather, you will bathe dogs and ...

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Alpha Dogs Pet Grooming LLC

Pet Bather

Boston, MA · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Fun Working Environment * Interact with Pets Job Summary We are searching for an experienced Pet Bather to join the team at our successful grooming business. As a Pet Bather, you will bathe dogs and ...

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Pets Are Family Pet Sitting

Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

... working with animals and want to work in a collaborative, supportive and friendly environment. Pets Are Family Pet Sitting Services LLC is growing quickly thanks to our 5-star reviews from happy ...

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Hope Springs Veterinary

Pet Bather

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

We are seeking someone who enjoys working with both pets and people and takes pride in helping dogs and cats look and feel their best. This position is ideal for someone who is comfortable handling a ...

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Zoomin Groomin

Mobile Dog Groomer

Morristown, NJ · On-site

$300 - $600/day

Youre working one-on-one with pets in a clean, fully equipped van. No shop noise, no front desk, no chaos. Just you, your schedule, and the ability to focus on quality work. Our goal is to keep you ...

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Zoomin Groomin

Mobile Dog Groomer

Newark, NJ

$300 - $600/day

You're working one-on-one with pets in a clean, fully equipped van. No shop noise, no front desk, no chaos. Just you, your schedule, and the ability to focus on quality work. Our goal is to keep you ...

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AMERICINN

Front Desk Associate

Roseville, MN · On-site

$13 - $19/hr

Fun Working Environment * Interact with Pets Job Summary Are you a pet lover with a passion for customer service? If so, we'd like to hear from you! We are seeking an outgoing and organized ...

Zoomin Groomin

Mobile Dog Groomer

Paramus, NJ

$300 - $600/day

You're working one-on-one with pets in a clean, fully equipped van. No shop noise, no front desk, no chaos. Just you, your schedule, and the ability to focus on quality work. Our goal is to keep you ...

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TDS ALLISON PARK LLC

Pet Groomer

Glenshaw, PA

Fun Working Environment * Interact with Pets Job Summary We are searching for an experienced Pet Groomer to join the team at our successful grooming business. As a Pet Groomer, you will bathe and ...

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Working With Pets information

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How much do working with pets jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for working with pets in the United States is $13.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.78 and $15.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What careers can you do with animals?

Working with pets offers careers such as veterinarian, pet groomer, animal trainer, pet sitter, and kennel technician. These roles typically require specific skills, certifications, and a love for animals, and often involve working in clinics, grooming salons, or pet care facilities.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Working with pets, such as professional pet trainers or groomers, can sometimes pay around $4,000 weekly for experienced professionals, especially those running their own businesses or working with high-end clients. These roles often require specialized skills, certifications, and a strong reputation, but typically do not require a college degree. Income varies based on location, clientele, and experience.

What is the best paying job working with animals?

Veterinary surgeons typically earn the highest salaries among jobs working with animals, with median annual wages often exceeding $100,000. Specialized roles such as zoo veterinarians or research veterinarians may also offer high pay, especially with advanced certifications and experience.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with pets, and how can they be managed?

Professionals working with pets often encounter challenges such as handling animals with behavioral issues, managing the emotional toll of caring for sick or injured pets, and maintaining clear communication with pet owners. Building strong animal handling skills, staying patient, and adopting stress-reduction techniques can help manage these situations. Additionally, ongoing education and collaborating with experienced colleagues can provide valuable support and insights to handle difficult scenarios effectively.

What does working with pets involve?

Working with pets typically involves caring for animals in various settings such as veterinary clinics, animal shelters, pet grooming salons, or as a pet sitter or trainer. Responsibilities can include feeding, grooming, exercising, monitoring health, and providing companionship. Some roles may also require administering medication, training animals, or educating pet owners about proper care. This field is ideal for individuals who are passionate about animal welfare and enjoy hands-on interaction with pets. The specific duties can vary widely depending on the job and the type of animals involved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a career working with pets, and why are they important?

To thrive in a career working with pets, you need a solid understanding of animal behavior, basic pet care, and often a relevant qualification such as a certification in animal care or veterinary assistance. Familiarity with specialized tools like grooming equipment, animal restraint devices, and pet management software is typically required. Patience, compassion, and strong communication skills help build trust with both animals and their owners. These skills ensure the well-being of the pets, foster positive client relationships, and contribute to a safe and effective work environment.

What is the best job working with animals?

The best job working with animals depends on personal interests and skills, but common options include veterinarian, zookeeper, animal trainer, and pet groomer. These roles often require relevant education, certifications, and hands-on experience, and they involve working in environments such as clinics, zoos, or private homes.
More about Working With Pets jobs
What cities are hiring for Working With Pets jobs? Cities with the most Working With Pets job openings:
What states have the most Working With Pets jobs? States with the most job openings for Working With Pets jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Working With Pets jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Working With Pets jobs are:
Working With Pets jobs near you
Infographic showing various Working With Pets job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 34% As Needed, 33% Full Time, and 33% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,701 per year, or $13.8 per hour.
Animal Behaviorist

Animal Behaviorist

Pets In Need

Redwood City, CA • On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
For more than 60 years, Pets In Need (PIN) has provided animals with loving care and lasting homes; partnered with communities striving to do the same, while advancing our no-kill policies and legacy. Our Vision is for animals to live in welcoming communities where they and their human companions are treated with care and compassion.
JOB TITLE: Animal Behaviorist
FLSA STATUS: Exempt, Full-time
REPORTS TO: Behavior and Rescue Manager
Summary
Under the direction of the Behavior and Rescue Manager, the Behavior Supervisor provides leadership and oversight for the behavioral health, enrichment, training, and overall well-being of Pets In Need animals across both shelter locations. This role is responsible for developing and implementing behavior support strategies from intake through placement, with an emphasis on individualized behavior planning, humane handling, enrichment, behavior modification, volunteer training, and cross-functional collaboration.
The Behavior Supervisor serves as a key resource for staff, fosters, volunteers, and leadership on animal behavior, with a strong focus on canine behavior and welfare. This position supports organizational decision-making related to quality of life, placement pathways, housing, behavior intervention, and safe, effective handling practices.
Essential Duties
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized training, behavior modification, enrichment, and socialization plans for animals in shelter care and foster care.
  • Provides clear written and verbal guidance to staff, fosters, and volunteers to ensure consistent implementation of behavior plans and handling protocols.
  • Monitors and evaluates the behavioral health and welfare of animals across both shelter locations and identifies appropriate interventions to support emotional well-being, safety, and successful placement.
  • Assesses and recommends optimal housing, handling, enrichment, and management strategies for shelter animals based on behavior, stress level, medical needs, and quality of life considerations.
  • Collaborates with Pets In Need veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, and other medical professionals to develop and implement behavior modification plans, including behavior medication support when appropriate.
  • Provides leadership, coaching, and training to animal care staff, foster caregivers, and volunteers on animal behavior, humane handling, training techniques, and shelter behavior best practices.
  • Oversees, trains, and directly manages advanced behavior volunteers, including blue-level volunteers.
  • Develops written behavior summaries, assessments, training updates, and recommendations to support internal decision-making, foster placement, adoption counseling, and rescue pathways.
  • Supports the development, evaluation, and ongoing improvement of behavior department protocols, including handling, enrichment, playgroup, socialization, assessment, and quality-of-life procedures.
  • Participates as a member of the Pets In Need Quality of Life Committee and contributes behavior-related expertise to case review and outcome planning.
  • Partners with Behavior, Rescue, Medical, Animal Care, Foster, and leadership teams to develop coordinated care plans for animals with complex behavioral, medical, or placement needs.
  • Supports rescue pathway planning and assists the Rescue department as needed.
  • Connects fosters and adopters with contracted behavior support resources when appropriate.
  • Oversees inventory, organization, and appropriate use of Behavior Department supplies and equipment.
  • Models professional, compassionate, inclusive, and welfare-centered leadership in all interactions with staff, volunteers, fosters, adopters, and community partners.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for success in this position.
Education and Experience
  • Education in animal behavior, animal welfare, psychology, biology, or a related field required; bachelor's degree in a related field strongly preferred.
  • Experience working in an animal shelter, rescue, veterinary, or animal welfare environment required.
  • Up to five years of related experience working with dogs required; experience with cats and feline behavior preferred.
  • Professional dog training certification such as CPDT, KPA-CTP, CTC, or equivalent strongly preferred, or willingness and ability to obtain certification within 6-9 months of hire.
  • Prior experience supervising, coaching, or training staff and/or volunteers required.
  • Demonstrated understanding of shelter behavior, humane training, enrichment, dog-dog interaction, stress reduction, and behavior modification.
  • Maintains current knowledge of fear-free, low-stress, and evidence-informed animal behavior and handling practices.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and shelter management databases required.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document behavior observations, recommendations, and plans clearly and professionally.
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, collaboration, and time-management skills.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment, prioritize competing needs, and work effectively with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused in stressful, emotionally complex, or high-pressure situations.
  • Ability to build trust and communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, fosters, adopters, clients, and external partners.
  • Demonstrated commitment to positive, inclusive, compassionate, and welfare-centered leadership.

Physical Requirements
  • This position is moderately to highly physical and requires frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, and animal handling.
  • Must be able to bend, twist, stoop, push, pull, ascend and descend stairs, reach overhead, lift up to 50 pounds, and lift overhead up to 20 pounds.
  • Must be comfortable safely handling and managing large dogs up to 100 pounds.
  • Must have the ability to see, hear, and speak in order to safely perform essential job functions.
  • Must be able to safely work around animals with varying levels of fear, stress, arousal, or reactivity.

Working Conditions
  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
  • Work may be performed remotely, on-site, outdoors, and in various shelter or community settings.
  • Must be able to travel between Pets In Need locations.
  • May involve exposure to loud noise, cleaning chemicals, animal waste, zoonotic disease risk, and animals who may be fearful, fractious, reactive, or potentially dangerous.
  • Requires the ability to remain professional and composed in an active shelter environment with changing priorities and emotionally sensitive situations.

The pay range for this role is:
85,000 - 90,000 USD per year (Palo Alto and Redwood City)

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