Animal Care Technician Jobs in Missouri
Animal Care Technician jobs in Missouri are consistently active, with steady demand across veterinary clinics, research institutions, animal shelters, and zoological facilities serving a state with a strong agricultural and life sciences foundation. The heaviest hiring is in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Columbia, where large employers like the Saint Louis Zoo, University of Missouri, and Banfield Pet Hospital maintain ongoing staffing needs. The most in-demand specialties are laboratory animal care, companion animal support, and shelter operations. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Hiring Department
Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery.
Job Description
The College of Veterinary Medicine at MU is on a mission to educate and train outstanding clinicians and scientists, generate new knowledge, engage stakeholders, and foster economic growth, all of which promote and protect the health and welfare of animals and people. Simply put, our mission is to Teach, Heal, Discover, and Serve.
The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service is responsible for evaluating/treating patients seen on the emergency triage service (ER) and treating hospitalized patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This service is looking for Part-Time Veterinary Assistants to work alongside students, veterinary technicians, and veterinarians providing exceptional patient care, coordinating patient flow, and maintaining a safe and clean work environment while ensuring students have a rigorous and supportive training experience within the clinical setting.
Veterinary Assistant job responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
- Assist the veterinary technicians and clinicians with triaging emergency patients and managing critically ill patients
- Safely restrain, handle, and transport patients
- Assist with monitoring hospitalized patients
- Collect diagnostic samples
- Perform basic diagnostic procedures as requested within the skill set of the particular assistant, consistent with Missouri Veterinary Medical Board guidelines.
- Walking and feeding patients
- Respond to phone inquiries regarding emergencies and follow-ups
- Utilize the hospital information system and other software for data entry and recording
- Maintain the cleanliness of the ER, ICU, and service equipment
- Maintain inventory and stock in the ER and ICU
- Other duties as assigned
Veterinarians throughout the Midwest refer animal clients to the Veterinary Health Center for specialized diagnoses and treatment. With sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic equipment that includes advanced imaging techniques and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, we are a center for animal healthcare.
Shift
These are part-time positions. The Veterinary Health Center Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Shifts will vary depending on the overall staffing needs of the service and may change over time. We are currently looking for and giving priority to candidates who can provide evening, overnight, and weekend coverage.
Schedules are subject to change based on clinic needs and will be discussed during interview. Shift opportunities include:
- Weekdays or weekends
- Day time hours
- Evening hours
- Overnight hours
- Holidays
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working with or handling animals is required.
- Prior experience working in a veterinary clinic or other veterinary setting is preferred but not required.
Successful candidate will exhibit the following skills and core competencies:
- Present a friendly and empathetic demeanor.
- Maintain a high level of professionalism.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse internal and external constituents and client populations.
- Be able to thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment and effectively manage multiple tasks, projects, and priorities.
- Bring a high degree of organization and attention to detail including critical thinking and observational skills.
- Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks depending on needs.
- Computer skills to maintain medical records about animals in veterinary software.
- Exhibit a willingness to learn and grow professionally, as well as be a supportive and collegial team member.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary Range: $18.00 / hour
Grade: GGS-004
University Title: Veterinary Assistant
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is not eligible for University benefits. Individuals in non benefit eligible positions may choose to participate in the Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (403b). For information about this plan, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement/retirement/core-voluntary-plans
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
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Animal Care Technician Job Market in Missouri
A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Missouri Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care technician jobs across Missouri.
- High school diploma or GED required by most Missouri animal care employers
- Experience handling dogs, cats, or small animals in a professional setting
- Ability to lift and restrain animals weighing up to 50 pounds or more
- Knowledge of basic animal health monitoring, feeding, and sanitation protocols
- Familiarity with kennel management software or electronic animal records systems
- Availability for early morning, weekend, or rotating shift schedules
Animal Care Technician Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a animal care technician in Missouri?
Missouri does not require a state-issued license specifically for animal care technicians, so most employers hire based on hands-on experience and education. A high school diploma is the baseline, while an associate or bachelor's degree in veterinary technology, animal science, or biology improves competitiveness. For laboratory animal roles at Missouri research institutions, the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science offers the AALAS certification, which many Missouri employers treat as a strong hiring credential.
Which companies hire animal care technicians in Missouri?
Companies currently hiring animal care technicians in Missouri include Pipestone, University of Missouri, and Nestlé Purina, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Missouri's mix of academic medical centers, zoo and wildlife facilities, and national veterinary clinic chains means openings appear across a broad range of employer types throughout the state.
Which Missouri cities have the most animal care technician jobs?
Columbia, Saint Joseph, and Butler consistently post the most animal care technician openings in Missouri. Kansas City and St. Louis drive volume through their large veterinary hospital networks, university research programs, and humane society operations, while Columbia benefits from the University of Missouri's research and veterinary medicine campus, which generates ongoing demand for laboratory and clinical animal care staff.
How can I get hired as a animal care technician in Missouri with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is volunteering or taking a part-time kennel assistant role at a Missouri humane society or county animal shelter, since those organizations routinely bring on candidates with no formal background. Large Missouri employers like the Humane Society of Missouri and Kansas City Pet Project run volunteer-to-staff pipelines. Adjacent roles like veterinary receptionist or animal shelter clerk also provide a foothold. Pursuing even the entry-level AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification signals commitment and gives candidates an edge when applying to university or pharmaceutical research positions in Missouri.
Where can I find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Missouri?
You can find and apply to animal care technician jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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