Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota
Animal Care Technician jobs in Minnesota concentrate heavily in veterinary clinic networks, biomedical research institutions, and zoo and wildlife facilities, with demand at every level from entry-level kennel assistant to senior laboratory animal technician. The Twin Cities metro anchors most of the hiring, with additional activity in Rochester and Duluth, where employers like the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and the Minnesota Zoo maintain long-standing animal care programs. Research support, companion animal care, and laboratory animal technology are the most consistently in-demand specialties across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 26+ Animal Care Technician jobs
Benefits:
- Health, dental, vision insurance, and more!
- 15+ days of paid time off for a full year
- 9 paid holidays + 4 floating holidays per full calendar year
- 401K - employer match is 100% up to the first 4% deferred
- Required to work at least one weekend day
- Other shifts will be 8 hours in length on other 4 days
- Shifts will vary between the hours of 7:00am - 8:00pm Tuesdays through Fridays and 7:00am - 6:00pm Saturdays through Mondays
What you will be doing:
Animal Care — Perform daily cleaning and sanitization of cages, kennels, and animal areas per shelter protocols. Prepare and distribute food for animals in accordance with established procedures. Observe animals’ appearance and activity for any behavioral changes or health concerns, reporting any information back to appropriate teams.
Process – Complete accurate data entry into the computer system.
Support — Assist with animal restraint for transportation, medical procedures, collection of feces or urine, and euthanasia as required. Move animals throughout the shelter as needed.
Communication — Listen, pay attention, and be a responsible steward of information. Gather and convey information in a clear, complete, and timely manner. Be receptive to, and able to provide feedback in a professional manner.
Culture — Foster an open and inclusive work environment by modeling AHS’s behaviors and values, consistent with the vision and mission of the organization. Champion a culture of safety and promote meaningful volunteer engagement.
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
What we are looking for:
Schedule — Regular, predictable attendance, punctuality, and availability to work during operational hours with the expectation to work varied hours including evening and weekend shifts.
Experience —Animal experience preferred.
Computer Skills — Proficient with computers, specifically, a working knowledge of Microsoft products.
Adaptability — Ability to work in a professional and positive manner with high attention to detail in a variety of situations and the willingness to assist at other sites.
Communication — Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, must have ability to work as a team member and partner collaboratively with all departments.
Physical & Emotional Capabilities — Must be able to handle the physical aspect of working in a shelter, including warm and humid environments. Should be comfortable with handling a variety of animals with medical and behavioral needs. Must have a high level of resiliency and be able to handle the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of humane euthanasia. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
This position description is intended to describe the general content and/or requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
Benefits
About AHS
One of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, Animal Humane Society helps more than 23,000 animals every year. We’re transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities, advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.
Why Work Here
- Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
- Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
- Work-life balance
- Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care, pet supplies, and animal training classes
- Health insurance coverage for full-time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance, and employee-paid supplemental life, and employee-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Employer paid benefits for full-time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- 401K with up to 4% match for part-time and full-time staff
- Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
- Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
- Paid time off for part-time and full-time staff (amount is based on hours worked and full time/part-time status)
- Paid parental leave for full-time staff
Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.
At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.
Benefits:
- Health, dental, vision insurance, and more!
- 15+ days of paid time off for a full year
- 9 paid holidays + 4 floating holidays per full calendar year
- 401K - employer match is 100% up to the first 4% deferred
- Required to work at least one weekend day
- Other shifts will be 8 hours in length on other 4 days
- Shifts will vary between the hours of 7:00am - 8:00pm Tuesdays through Fridays and 7:00am - 6:00pm Saturdays through Mondays
What you will be doing:
Animal Care — Perform daily cleaning and sanitization of cages, kennels, and animal areas per shelter protocols. Prepare and distribute food for animals in accordance with established procedures. Observe animals’ appearance and activity for any behavioral changes or health concerns, reporting any information back to appropriate teams.
Process – Complete accurate data entry into the computer system.
Support — Assist with animal restraint for transportation, medical procedures, collection of feces or urine, and euthanasia as required. Move animals throughout the shelter as needed.
Communication — Listen, pay attention, and be a responsible steward of information. Gather and convey information in a clear, complete, and timely manner. Be receptive to, and able to provide feedback in a professional manner.
Culture — Foster an open and inclusive work environment by modeling AHS’s behaviors and values, consistent with the vision and mission of the organization. Champion a culture of safety and promote meaningful volunteer engagement.
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
What we are looking for:
Schedule — Regular, predictable attendance, punctuality, and availability to work during operational hours with the expectation to work varied hours including evening and weekend shifts.
Experience —Animal experience preferred.
Computer Skills — Proficient with computers, specifically, a working knowledge of Microsoft products.
Adaptability — Ability to work in a professional and positive manner with high attention to detail in a variety of situations and the willingness to assist at other sites.
Communication — Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, must have ability to work as a team member and partner collaboratively with all departments.
Physical & Emotional Capabilities — Must be able to handle the physical aspect of working in a shelter, including warm and humid environments. Should be comfortable with handling a variety of animals with medical and behavioral needs. Must have a high level of resiliency and be able to handle the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of humane euthanasia. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
This position description is intended to describe the general content and/or requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
Benefits
About AHS
One of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, Animal Humane Society helps more than 23,000 animals every year. We’re transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities, advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.
Why Work Here
- Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
- Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
- Work-life balance
- Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care, pet supplies, and animal training classes
- Health insurance coverage for full-time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance, and employee-paid supplemental life, and employee-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Employer paid benefits for full-time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- 401K with up to 4% match for part-time and full-time staff
- Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
- Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
- Paid time off for part-time and full-time staff (amount is based on hours worked and full time/part-time status)
- Paid parental leave for full-time staff
Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.
At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.
See All 26 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota
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Find Animal Care Technician JobsAnimal Care Technician Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Animal Care Technician Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs across Minnesota.
- AALAS certification at Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician, Technician, or Technologist level preferred or required
- Experience handling and restraining animals in a clinical, research, or shelter environment
- Knowledge of animal husbandry practices and species-specific care protocols
- Ability to observe animals for signs of illness and document findings accurately
- Familiarity with sanitation standards and facility compliance in regulated animal environments
- Physical ability to lift animals and equipment and stand for extended periods
Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a animal care technician in Minnesota?
Minnesota does not issue a state-specific license for animal care technicians, so the hiring path runs through nationally recognized credentials and employer requirements. Most Minnesota employers, especially in research and laboratory settings, expect or prefer American Association for Laboratory Animal Science certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician or Technician level. A high school diploma or associate degree in animal science, biology, or a related field is the typical educational baseline, and hands-on experience through veterinary clinics, shelters, or university programs strengthens any application.
Which companies hire animal care technicians in Minnesota?
Companies currently hiring animal care technicians in Minnesota include Christensen Farms, Lakefield Veterinary, and Animal Humane Society, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. The University of Minnesota and its affiliated research centers are among the most consistent sources of laboratory animal technician openings in the state.
Which Minnesota cities have the most animal care technician jobs?
Baxter, Woodbury, and Saint Cloud are the Minnesota cities with the most animal care technician openings. The Twin Cities dominate because of the concentration of research universities, biomedical companies, large veterinary hospital networks, and institutions like the Minnesota Zoo, while Rochester's demand is driven largely by Mayo Clinic's extensive research and animal care operations.
Are there remote animal care technician jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, but they're rare. Animal care technician work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct contact with animals in clinics, labs, shelters, or facilities. About 0% of animal care technician openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions typically cover administrative coordination, animal behavior consulting, or compliance documentation rather than direct animal handling.
How can I get hired as a animal care technician in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a shelter or kennel position at a Minnesota Humane Society location or a county animal services facility, where hands-on experience accumulates quickly without prior credentials. The University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine hires animal care assistants and offers exposure to research animal facilities that can lead to AALAS-certified technician roles. Volunteering at facilities affiliated with the Minnesota Zoo or large veterinary practices in the Twin Cities builds a resume that translates directly to paid openings, and pursuing the AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician exam while working gives candidates a measurable credential edge.
Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings for roles that fit your experience level and the type of animal care setting you want, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 26 Animal Care Technician Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Care Technician Jobs