Animal Care Technician Jobs
Animal Care Technician jobs are open across veterinary clinics, research laboratories, animal shelters, and zoos, with roles in laboratory animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, and companion animal husbandry from entry-level technician to senior and supervisory positions. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 441+ Animal Care Technician jobs
Kennel Technicians are responsible for caring for pets in our kennel and monitoring the health of pets that are under our care. The right candidate will be a dedicated and hardworking individual who is capable of handling stressful situations and enjoys working outdoors. Kennel Technicians must be able to maintain a clean and safe environment while ensuring that all customers' needs are met. Being a team member is vital. The goal of this position is to enable pets to spend their vacation in a comfortable and happy environment. We adhere to state rules and regulations . We take this seriously and respectfully.
Responsibilities:
- Provide day-to-day care for animals.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the kennel and yards.
- Provide emergency care for animals if needed.
- Communicate animal needs to management personnel.
- Observe animal activity and behavior to recognize signs of illness, injury, or distress.
- Allow dogs to be dogs with observation and safety
- Gather data relating to animal performance and behavior; maintain records of this data; and notify management personnel of any changes in an animal's condition.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: From $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
Application Question(s):
- Are you vibrant, self motivated and have a positive outlook?
Experience:
- animal care: 1 year (Required)
- Animal handling: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
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Find Animal Care Technician JobsAnimal Care Technician Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Pet Supplies Plus105
- PetVet Care Centers31
- Village Pet Care21
- Charles River Laboratories15
- Lakefield Veterinary13
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Animal Care & Pet Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs.
- Experience with animal restraint and basic husbandry for multiple species
- Knowledge of sanitation protocols and facility biosecurity procedures
- AALAS certification at any level or willingness to obtain it
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods
- Familiarity with veterinary medical records and treatment documentation
- High school diploma or associate degree in animal science or a related field
Tips for Your Animal Care Technician Job Search
Tailor your resume to the setting
A shelter technician resume and a research vivarium resume read very differently. Highlight the specific species you've handled, husbandry protocols you've followed, and any IACUC compliance experience relevant to the type of facility you're targeting.
List certifications prominently near the top
Credentials like AALAS certification at the Assistant, Technician, or Technologist level stand out immediately to hiring managers in research settings. Put them in a dedicated section above work history so screeners don't miss them during a quick scan.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists animal care technician openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Address physical demands in your cover letter
Many postings list lifting requirements, exposure to allergens, and irregular shift work as real conditions. Confirming upfront that you've worked in similar physical environments removes a common screening hesitation and shows you've read the posting carefully.
Prepare species-specific examples for interviews
Interviewers almost always ask about hands-on experience with the animals their facility actually uses. Prepare two or three concrete stories about restraint techniques, behavioral observation, or treatment assistance for the species most common in that setting.
Follow up by referencing your hands-on fit
A post-interview thank-you note lands better when it connects your specific husbandry background to a need the hiring manager mentioned. Reference a protocol or species they discussed rather than sending a generic note.
Animal Care Technician Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most animal care technicians?
Pet Supplies Plus, PetVet Care Centers, and Village Pet Care are hiring the most animal care technicians right now, with openings concentrated in Ohio, California, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Research institutions, national shelter networks, and contract laboratory animal services companies tend to post the highest volumes of openings.
How many animal care technician jobs are remote?
About 7% of animal care technician openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which is low compared to most fields because the work is inherently hands-on. The sub-areas most likely to offer any remote flexibility are administrative or coordination roles within larger animal care programs, such as scheduling, compliance documentation, or client communication.
How do you become an animal care technician?
Most entry-level positions require a high school diploma plus direct experience handling animals, which you can build through shelter volunteering, farm work, or a veterinary assistant role. Earning an AALAS certification strengthens your candidacy significantly, especially for research settings. An associate or bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, or veterinary technology opens doors to more advanced positions and faster advancement.
Can you get hired as an animal care technician with little experience?
Yes, many shelters and general veterinary practices hire candidates with limited formal experience if they demonstrate genuine hands-on comfort with animals. Volunteering at a local shelter, completing a community college animal care course, or shadowing a working technician builds the practical credibility employers look for. Being honest about your experience level and showing willingness to learn restraint and husbandry protocols on the job goes a long way.
What does the animal care technician interview process look like?
Most facilities start with a phone screen focused on your animal handling background and availability for shift work, including weekends and holidays. An in-person or video interview typically follows, with behavioral questions about how you've handled stressed or aggressive animals and scenarios involving sanitation protocols. Some employers, particularly research labs, include a brief facility tour or a practical skills demonstration before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs?
You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your experience and preferred setting, whether that's a veterinary clinic, research facility, shelter, or zoo, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 441+ Animal Care Technician Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Care Technician Jobs