Entry Level Animal Care Associate Jobs

New grad animal care associate jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where hands-on internship work or volunteer time with animals can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Education, Animal Care & Pet Services, and Science & Research, with employers like Emory University, VCA Animal Hospitals, and Charles River Laboratories hiring at this level now.

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Overview

Open roles13
Top stateGeorgia
Top employerEmory University
Top cityAtlanta, GA
Work type88% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 13+ Entry Level Animal Care Associate jobs

Animal Care Technician I - Lawrenceville
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New 19h ago
Animal Care Technician I - Lawrenceville
Emory University
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
On-Site
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Large Animal Emergency & Critical Care - Asst Professor
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Added 3d ago
Large Animal Emergency & Critical Care - Asst Professor
Auburn University
Auburn University, Alabama
Business Operations
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$162k/yr
1,001-5,000

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Animal Care Technician I
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Added 2w ago
Animal Care Technician I
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Clinical Support
Animal Care & Husbandry
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Animal Care Assistant
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Added 2w ago
Animal Care Assistant
VCA Animal Hospitals
Roswell, Georgia
Clinical Support
Animal Care & Husbandry
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Animal Care Technician II
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Added 2w ago
Animal Care Technician II
Charles River Laboratories
Hollister, California
Business Analysis
Consulting & Professional Services
$23.00/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Entry Level Animal Care Associate Job Market

Who's Hiring

Emory University3 open roles
VCA Animal Hospitals3 open roles
Charles River Laboratories2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Animal Care & Pet Services
  • Science & Research

Entry Level Animal Care Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an entry level animal care associate job?

Start by gaining hands-on experience through volunteer shifts at a local shelter, humane society, or veterinary clinic, since most employers at this level value direct animal handling over formal credentials. A certificate in animal care or veterinary assisting strengthens your application. Highlight any experience with feeding, cleaning, restraint, or health monitoring, and tailor your resume to show comfort working with a range of species.

Which companies hire entry level animal care associates?

Companies hiring entry level animal care associates right now include Emory University, VCA Animal Hospitals, and Charles River Laboratories, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this experience level, the most active employers tend to be animal shelters, veterinary practices, zoos, aquariums, and pet care chains that regularly onboard candidates with limited formal experience.

Are there remote entry level animal care associate jobs?

Yes, though most animal care associate roles are hands-on and on-site by nature. About 13% of entry level animal care associate openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically involve coordination, client communication, or administrative support rather than direct animal handling. On-site openings remain the dominant format at this level.

Are these new grad animal care associate jobs?

Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior animal care associate roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internship or volunteer work in place of full-time history, or lists a portfolio of animal handling or care documentation as an acceptable credential. Certifications and practical coursework also count toward meeting entry requirements.

Which industries hire the most entry level animal care associates?

Entry Level animal care associate roles concentrate in Education, Animal Care & Pet Services, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive consistent entry level hiring because they rely on a rotating pipeline of junior staff to support daily animal feeding, health checks, enclosure maintenance, and client-facing care responsibilities.