Animal Care Assistant Jobs
Animal Care Assistant jobs are open across veterinary clinics, animal shelters, zoos, and research facilities, at every level from entry-level to senior, with specializations in exotic animal handling, rehabilitation, and kennel management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Overnight Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) – Emergency & Critical Care
South Metro Animal Emergency Care | Apple Valley, MN
COMPETITIVE PAY + BENEFITS
$34–$38/hour, based on experience
+$6/hour overnight differential (8 PM–8 AM)
+$2/hour weekend differential
$2,500 sign-on bonus
PTO, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life and AD&D insurance, EAP, supplemental insurance options, and eligibility for performance-based bonuses
READY TO LEAD? READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
This is more than an overnight technician position. It's an opportunity to lead, mentor, inspire, and help shape the future of a 24/7 Emergency Veterinary team!
South Metro Animal Emergency Care (SMAEC) is a growing, 24/7, AAHA-accredited emergency hospital seeking an experienced, motivated, and confident Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) to step into a leadership role within our Emergency and Critical Care department.
We're looking for someone who isn't afraid to take charge, enjoys developing others, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and understands what it takes to build a strong, cohesive overnight team.
Our technicians are valued medical professionals with a real voice in patient care, treatment decisions, and hospital flow. You'll work directly with DVMs in a collaborative, technician-forward environment with strong staffing support—typically 2 credentialed technicians and 2 veterinary assistants per doctor.
WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY EXCITING?
Lead with purpose: Take ownership of overnight clinical operations and serve as a key leader for the team.
Build a great team: Mentor, coach, develop, and empower technicians and assistants to reach their full potential.
Make a clinical impact: Work alongside emergency veterinarians to provide exceptional care for critical and emergency patients.
Partner with leadership: Work closely with the Hospital Leadership Team and Medical Director to align clinical goals, improve hospital operations, strengthen team performance, and drive continued growth within the Emergency Department.
Have a voice: Collaborate with hospital leadership on department initiatives, workflow improvements, team development, and clinical excellence.
Drive accountability: Help establish consistency, communication, teamwork, and high clinical standards across overnight operations.
WHAT YOU'LL DO DAY TO DAY
Our cases include toxins, foreign bodies, urinary obstructions, respiratory emergencies, trauma, surgical emergencies, and hospitalized or critical patients.
Your responsibilities will include:
Leading and supporting overnight clinical operations while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Performing initial triage and collaborating directly with DVMs to prioritize patient needs.
Reviewing treatment plans with clients and answering questions with empathy and confidence.
Placing IV catheters, NG tubes, central lines, and PICC lines.
Applying splints and bandages.
Running and monitoring anesthesia for surgical procedures.
Performing and overseeing treatments for hospitalized patients.
Monitoring and advocating for patients throughout their stay.
Mentoring teammates and supporting a collaborative, accountable team.
Partnering with hospital leadership to improve workflows, communication, and overall department performance.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Someone who:
Holds a current Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) credential.
Has a strong background in veterinary emergency and critical care.
Is confident in their technical skills and clinical decision-making.
Is a natural leader who leads by example.
Has a passion for mentoring and developing others.
Can confidently navigate challenging situations and make sound decisions.
Understands that great leadership means supporting, motivating, and holding a team accountable.
Values collaboration and wants to be an active partner in hospital leadership.
Is ready to take ownership and make a difference.
❤️ WHY SOUTH METRO?
Technician-forward culture that values your knowledge, experience, and clinical skills.
Strong technician-to-doctor ratios and meaningful autonomy.
Hands-on emergency medicine experience and opportunities to expand your skills.
Supportive leadership and teammates who help one another.
A collaborative environment where your voice matters.
8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts, with swing and overnight options.
OUR CORE VALUES
Respect • Wow Service • Learning • Fun • Communication • Doing the Right Thing
We're not just looking for someone to fill an overnight schedule. We're looking for a leader who wants to build something great.
If you're ready to take the next step in your veterinary career, influence the direction of a team, partner with hospital leadership, and make a lasting impact in emergency medicine, we want to meet you!
Step into leadership. Build your team. Shape the future.
READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
For more information about our hospital, visit smaec.com.
To apply, contact Christine Strassburg at christine.strassburg@lakefieldvet.com or apply at careers.lakefieldvet.com.
#LI-CE
Overnight Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) – Emergency & Critical Care
South Metro Animal Emergency Care | Apple Valley, MN
COMPETITIVE PAY + BENEFITS
$34–$38/hour, based on experience
+$6/hour overnight differential (8 PM–8 AM)
+$2/hour weekend differential
$2,500 sign-on bonus
PTO, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life and AD&D insurance, EAP, supplemental insurance options, and eligibility for performance-based bonuses
READY TO LEAD? READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
This is more than an overnight technician position. It's an opportunity to lead, mentor, inspire, and help shape the future of a 24/7 Emergency Veterinary team!
South Metro Animal Emergency Care (SMAEC) is a growing, 24/7, AAHA-accredited emergency hospital seeking an experienced, motivated, and confident Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) to step into a leadership role within our Emergency and Critical Care department.
We're looking for someone who isn't afraid to take charge, enjoys developing others, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and understands what it takes to build a strong, cohesive overnight team.
Our technicians are valued medical professionals with a real voice in patient care, treatment decisions, and hospital flow. You'll work directly with DVMs in a collaborative, technician-forward environment with strong staffing support—typically 2 credentialed technicians and 2 veterinary assistants per doctor.
WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY EXCITING?
Lead with purpose: Take ownership of overnight clinical operations and serve as a key leader for the team.
Build a great team: Mentor, coach, develop, and empower technicians and assistants to reach their full potential.
Make a clinical impact: Work alongside emergency veterinarians to provide exceptional care for critical and emergency patients.
Partner with leadership: Work closely with the Hospital Leadership Team and Medical Director to align clinical goals, improve hospital operations, strengthen team performance, and drive continued growth within the Emergency Department.
Have a voice: Collaborate with hospital leadership on department initiatives, workflow improvements, team development, and clinical excellence.
Drive accountability: Help establish consistency, communication, teamwork, and high clinical standards across overnight operations.
WHAT YOU'LL DO DAY TO DAY
Our cases include toxins, foreign bodies, urinary obstructions, respiratory emergencies, trauma, surgical emergencies, and hospitalized or critical patients.
Your responsibilities will include:
Leading and supporting overnight clinical operations while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Performing initial triage and collaborating directly with DVMs to prioritize patient needs.
Reviewing treatment plans with clients and answering questions with empathy and confidence.
Placing IV catheters, NG tubes, central lines, and PICC lines.
Applying splints and bandages.
Running and monitoring anesthesia for surgical procedures.
Performing and overseeing treatments for hospitalized patients.
Monitoring and advocating for patients throughout their stay.
Mentoring teammates and supporting a collaborative, accountable team.
Partnering with hospital leadership to improve workflows, communication, and overall department performance.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Someone who:
Holds a current Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) credential.
Has a strong background in veterinary emergency and critical care.
Is confident in their technical skills and clinical decision-making.
Is a natural leader who leads by example.
Has a passion for mentoring and developing others.
Can confidently navigate challenging situations and make sound decisions.
Understands that great leadership means supporting, motivating, and holding a team accountable.
Values collaboration and wants to be an active partner in hospital leadership.
Is ready to take ownership and make a difference.
❤️ WHY SOUTH METRO?
Technician-forward culture that values your knowledge, experience, and clinical skills.
Strong technician-to-doctor ratios and meaningful autonomy.
Hands-on emergency medicine experience and opportunities to expand your skills.
Supportive leadership and teammates who help one another.
A collaborative environment where your voice matters.
8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts, with swing and overnight options.
OUR CORE VALUES
Respect • Wow Service • Learning • Fun • Communication • Doing the Right Thing
We're not just looking for someone to fill an overnight schedule. We're looking for a leader who wants to build something great.
If you're ready to take the next step in your veterinary career, influence the direction of a team, partner with hospital leadership, and make a lasting impact in emergency medicine, we want to meet you!
Step into leadership. Build your team. Shape the future.
READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
For more information about our hospital, visit smaec.com.
To apply, contact Christine Strassburg at christine.strassburg@lakefieldvet.com or apply at careers.lakefieldvet.com.
#LI-CE
Animal Care Assistant Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Animal Care Assistant JobsAnimal Care Assistant Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Pet Supplies Plus105
- PetVet Care Centers31
- Village Pet Care16
- Lakefield Veterinary15
- ShotVet11
Top Industries Hiring
- Education10
- Science & Research3
- Animal Care & Pet Services3
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care assistant jobs.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent required
- Direct experience handling and restraining animals of varying sizes
- Ability to lift at least 50 pounds and stand for extended periods
- Knowledge of basic animal husbandry, sanitation, and feeding protocols
- Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccination or willingness to obtain it
- Current or in-progress Fear Free, CVA, or shelter medicine certification
Tips for Your Animal Care Assistant Job Search
Tailor your resume to animal care
List every species you've worked with and name the specific tasks you performed, such as administering oral medications, assisting with post-surgical recovery, or restraining animals for exams. Generic caregiver language won't stand out to clinic hiring managers.
Get your Fear Free or Fear Free Shelter certification
Many shelters and clinics now screen for Fear Free certification before the interview stage. Earning it before you apply signals hands-on commitment to low-stress handling and puts your resume ahead of candidates who list only basic animal handling.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists animal care assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target facility type in your cover letter
A zoo, a private veterinary practice, and a municipal shelter each want different things. Address the facility type directly, noting relevant experience with that setting's pace, caseload, or population, so the hiring manager sees you understand their day-to-day environment.
Prepare for practical skills assessments
Many animal care interviews include a hands-on component where you demonstrate safe restraint or basic triage support. Practice narrating what you're doing as you work. Interviewers want to see calm technique and clear communication, not just comfort around animals.
Follow up with a species-specific detail
After your interview, send a brief note that references one animal or case type you discussed. Mentioning the facility's specific patient population, such as large exotic birds or high-volume shelter intakes, shows attentiveness and reinforces your fit better than a generic thank-you.
Animal Care Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most animal care assistants?
The most active employers for animal care assistants right now are Pet Supplies Plus, PetVet Care Centers, and Village Pet Care, and the most openings are in Ohio, Texas, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Availability shifts quickly as shelters, clinics, and zoos post roles on a rolling basis.
How many animal care assistant jobs are remote?
About 6% of animal care assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles. The sub-areas most compatible with remote work include administrative coordination for shelter intake operations and telehealth support roles at veterinary practices.
How do you become an animal care assistant?
Start by gaining direct hands-on experience through volunteering at a local shelter, humane society, or veterinary clinic, since most employers want demonstrated animal handling before they hire. Complete a Fear Free or basic veterinary assistant certification to strengthen your application. Once you have that foundation, apply to entry-level positions and expect on-the-job training to cover facility-specific protocols.
How do you get hired as an animal care assistant with little or no experience?
Volunteer consistently at a shelter or rescue organization and document the specific tasks you perform, such as feeding schedules, kennel sanitation, and socialization work, so you have concrete examples to reference in interviews. Many facilities hire candidates with strong volunteer histories over those with paid experience but less hands-on time. A Fear Free or pet first aid certification also signals seriousness to hiring managers evaluating entry-level applicants.
What does the animal care assistant interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone or video screen to confirm availability, physical requirements, and comfort with common tasks like cleaning enclosures and handling stressed animals. An in-person interview typically follows, often including a brief facility tour and sometimes a hands-on skills demonstration. Interviewers focus on how you respond to animal behavior challenges, your approach to sanitation protocols, and your ability to communicate clearly with veterinary staff.
Where can I find and apply to animal care assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to animal care assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience, location preference, and facility type, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
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Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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