Animal Care Technician Jobs
Animal Care Technician jobs are open across veterinary clinics, research laboratories, zoos, shelters, and pharmaceutical companies, from entry-level kennel attendant to senior lab animal tech, with specializations in exotic animal care, surgical assistance, and research colony management. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Excellence, Teamwork, Leadership, and Innovation. These are the values that define UConn Health. We are looking for team members that share these same values. Our top-rated organization is looking to add an Animal Care Technician to our growing team. If you have a background in this field, we want to hear from you.
At UConn Health located in Farmington, CT, this class is accountable for independently performing the full range of tasks involved in the care of various species of laboratory animals and their environment. This position will work in the Center for Comparative Medicine and includes rotating to the animal care washroom.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of an Animal Care Supervisor or other employee of higher grade.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
May lead lower-level laboratory personnel or students as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
- Feeds and waters animals
- Cleans and sanitizes cages, animal rooms and related environment as necessary
- Performs routine physical examinations and laboratory tests and special handling techniques for researchers as required
- Assesses the status of animal shipments including identity, number of individuals, weight, health, etc.
- Administers medications and gives injections under supervision
- Identifies animals as to sex, species or strain
- Provides support during surgical and experimental procedures
- Observes and collects animal facilities operation data for accurate reports and required records
- Reports findings to appropriate department staff
- May breed and wean animals
- Performs related duties as required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:
- Knowledge of animal care requirements, including animal facilities and husbandry regulations and basic animal disease problems and prevention techniques
- Some interpersonal skills
- Some oral and written communication skills
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions
- Ability to utilize computer software
- Manual dexterity and physical ability sufficient for handling animals, feeds, supplies and equipment
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
General Experience:
- A high school diploma or possession of a General Educational Development (GED) diploma
- One (1) year of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of the health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling, and/or treatment of laboratory animals.
SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED:
- Certification by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science at the level of Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician may be substituted for the General Experience.
- Two (2) years of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of the health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling and/or treatment of laboratory animals.
- A college degree of two (2) or more years and one-half (1/2) year of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling and/or treatment of laboratory animals.
Physical Requirements:
- Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
- A physical examination may be required.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to communicable diseases, hazardous substances and to risk of injury from animals.
SCHEDULE: Full time, 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, 30-minute unpaid meal break, rotating weekends and holidays, overtime as needed to accommodate departmental needs.
Why UConn Health
UConn Health is a vibrant, integrated academic medical center that is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care. A commitment to human health and well-being has been of utmost importance to UConn Health since the founding of the University of Connecticut schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine in 1961. Based on a strong foundation of groundbreaking research, first-rate education, and quality clinical care, we have expanded our medical missions over the decades. In just over 50 years, UConn Health has evolved to encompass more research endeavors, to provide more ways to access our superior care, and to innovate both practical medicine and our methods of educating the practitioners of tomorrow.
Additional Links:
This position is Benefit eligible; click here for an overview of available benefits.
This position is covered by the NP-2 Maintenance & Services Bargaining Unit; click here to review the current NP-2 Contract.
This position is in salary group TC-13; click here to review the current NP-2 TC Pay Plan.
INTRODUCTION
Excellence, Teamwork, Leadership, and Innovation. These are the values that define UConn Health. We are looking for team members that share these same values. Our top-rated organization is looking to add an Animal Care Technician to our growing team. If you have a background in this field, we want to hear from you.
At UConn Health located in Farmington, CT, this class is accountable for independently performing the full range of tasks involved in the care of various species of laboratory animals and their environment. This position will work in the Center for Comparative Medicine and includes rotating to the animal care washroom.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of an Animal Care Supervisor or other employee of higher grade.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
May lead lower-level laboratory personnel or students as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
- Feeds and waters animals
- Cleans and sanitizes cages, animal rooms and related environment as necessary
- Performs routine physical examinations and laboratory tests and special handling techniques for researchers as required
- Assesses the status of animal shipments including identity, number of individuals, weight, health, etc.
- Administers medications and gives injections under supervision
- Identifies animals as to sex, species or strain
- Provides support during surgical and experimental procedures
- Observes and collects animal facilities operation data for accurate reports and required records
- Reports findings to appropriate department staff
- May breed and wean animals
- Performs related duties as required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:
- Knowledge of animal care requirements, including animal facilities and husbandry regulations and basic animal disease problems and prevention techniques
- Some interpersonal skills
- Some oral and written communication skills
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions
- Ability to utilize computer software
- Manual dexterity and physical ability sufficient for handling animals, feeds, supplies and equipment
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
General Experience:
- A high school diploma or possession of a General Educational Development (GED) diploma
- One (1) year of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of the health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling, and/or treatment of laboratory animals.
SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED:
- Certification by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science at the level of Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician may be substituted for the General Experience.
- Two (2) years of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of the health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling and/or treatment of laboratory animals.
- A college degree of two (2) or more years and one-half (1/2) year of animal care experience directly related to the maintenance of health and wellbeing of laboratory animals to include care, use, handling and/or treatment of laboratory animals.
Physical Requirements:
- Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
- A physical examination may be required.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to communicable diseases, hazardous substances and to risk of injury from animals.
SCHEDULE: Full time, 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, 30-minute unpaid meal break, rotating weekends and holidays, overtime as needed to accommodate departmental needs.
Why UConn Health
UConn Health is a vibrant, integrated academic medical center that is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care. A commitment to human health and well-being has been of utmost importance to UConn Health since the founding of the University of Connecticut schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine in 1961. Based on a strong foundation of groundbreaking research, first-rate education, and quality clinical care, we have expanded our medical missions over the decades. In just over 50 years, UConn Health has evolved to encompass more research endeavors, to provide more ways to access our superior care, and to innovate both practical medicine and our methods of educating the practitioners of tomorrow.
Additional Links:
This position is Benefit eligible; click here for an overview of available benefits.
This position is covered by the NP-2 Maintenance & Services Bargaining Unit; click here to review the current NP-2 Contract.
This position is in salary group TC-13; click here to review the current NP-2 TC Pay Plan.
See All 797+ Animal Care Technician Jobs
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Find Animal Care Technician JobsAnimal Care Technician Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- NVA84
- Petco84
- Ethos Veterinary Health75
- Banfield Pet Hospital71
- Vetcor50
Top Industries Hiring
- Animal Care & Pet Services485
- Education73
- Healthcare & Medical Services72
- Science & Research34
- Agriculture & Farming24
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs.
- Experience handling and restraining multiple animal species safely
- High school diploma or GED, with an associate degree preferred for lab roles
- Knowledge of basic veterinary procedures including injections and wound care
- AALAS certification at the ALAT, LAT, or LATG level
- Ability to maintain accurate animal health records and cage cards
- Familiarity with IACUC protocols and animal welfare regulations
Tips for Your Animal Care Technician Job Search
Tailor your resume to the setting
A veterinary clinic and a research lab want different things from an animal care technician. Highlight surgical prep and client communication for clinical roles, and emphasize species-specific handling protocols and cage card documentation for research or laboratory positions.
List every species you have handled
Hiring managers scan for species experience fast. Call out each one explicitly, from common dogs and cats to rodents, rabbits, non-human primates, or exotics. Burying this in a general duties line makes it easy for reviewers to miss your most relevant qualification.
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.
Earn your AALAS certification before applying
Many research and pharmaceutical employers list AALAS certification as required, not preferred. Completing the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician exam before you apply puts you ahead of candidates who plan to certify after hiring, especially for IACUC-regulated facilities.
Prepare for a hands-on skills assessment
Interviews for this role often include a practical component: restraining an animal, demonstrating proper injection technique, or describing how you would handle an aggressive patient. Walk through your physical handling approach out loud and be ready to show, not just tell.
Negotiate your shift differential upfront
Animal care technician roles frequently involve weekend, overnight, or holiday coverage. If the base offer feels low, ask specifically about shift differentials and on-call premiums, which can add meaningfully to your total compensation, before accepting or declining.
Animal Care Technician Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most animal care technicians?
The companies hiring the most animal care technicians right now include NVA, Petco, and Ethos Veterinary Health, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Research institutions and contract research organizations tend to post the highest volume of openings consistently throughout the year.
How many animal care technician jobs are remote?
About 1% of animal care technician openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that most of the work requires direct animal contact on-site. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote components are animal behavior consulting, veterinary telemedicine support, and administrative coordination roles within larger animal care operations.
How do you become an animal care technician?
Start by gaining hands-on experience through volunteering at a shelter, veterinary clinic, or wildlife rescue, since most employers prioritize demonstrated animal handling ability over formal coursework alone. A high school diploma is the minimum requirement, though an associate degree in veterinary technology or animal science strengthens your candidacy. Pursuing AALAS certification shows employers you understand laboratory animal care standards and professional ethics.
Can you get hired as an animal care technician with little or no experience?
Yes, entry-level roles at shelters, boarding facilities, and some veterinary clinics regularly hire candidates with no paid experience. Volunteering with a rescue organization or completing a short veterinary assistant course gives you concrete handling exposure to put on your application. Emphasize reliability, a calm demeanor around animals, and any certification coursework you have started, even if not yet complete.
What does the animal care technician interview process look like?
Most employers start with a brief phone screen focused on species experience and availability for weekend or overnight shifts. An in-person interview typically follows, often including a facility walkthrough and scenario questions about how you would handle an injured or aggressive animal. Research settings may add a practical skills component or ask about your familiarity with IACUC compliance and record-keeping systems.
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. Search the listings to find roles that match your species experience, preferred setting, and location, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 797+ Animal Care Technician Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any animal care technician role that fits.
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