Animal Caregiver Jobs
Animal Caregiver jobs are open across veterinary clinics, animal shelters, zoos, boarding facilities, and research institutions, from entry-level kennel attendant to senior lead animal care technician, with specializations in exotic animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, and companion animal behavior. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 10+ Animal Caregiver jobs
For more than 150 years, the Humane Rescue Alliance has championed the protection of animals, support for people, and service to the community. With campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, along with the nation’s leading pet transport initiative, it stands as the largest and most comprehensive animal services provider in the region. Each year, HRA transforms the lives of tens of thousands of animals through rescue and adoption, humane protection, access to medical care, innovative community programs, and legislative leadership. Its broad reach and deep expertise enables HRA to reimagine traditional sheltering and address the most complex challenges facing animals and the people who love them.  
Under the direction of the Animal Care Manager, the Animal Care Lead works closely with the team to maintain our Standard Operating Procedures with the staff and clients. S/he will be the point person for questions or issues that may arise when the Managers are not on premises or are otherwise occupied. S/he provides a high standard of animal care to ensure the welfare of animals at HRA. S/he creates a healthy environment for all animals by monitoring their behavior, maintaining the cleanliness of kennels, and surrounding areas. S/he will monitor the movement of animals throughout the Campus.
- Shift Leadership
- Maintain a high standard of animal care and welfare, overseeing scheduled feedings, medications, clean water at all times, proper bedding, and enrichment, toys
- Monitor animals and activities in all kennel and cattery areas. Provide the highest quality of care and cleaning for domestic and exotic animals according to the industry’s best practices and HRA standard operating procedures.
- Properly Clean and sanitize kennels, rooms, cages, equipment, and areas
- Clean all animal areas outside of the rooms, including but not limited to hallways, Kitchen areas, Inventory areas, and special rooms.
- Make sure all animal rooms are appropriately stocked at all times for morning cleaning and daily care
- Perform all duties and responsibilities assigned to an Animal Caregiver.
- Monitor daily laundry washing, folding and stocking
- Bathe and clean animals on a regular schedule or immediately if they become soiled.
- Serve as point of contact for animal care team during opening and closing shifts to ensure animal care duties are completed, making and adjusting assignments among the team as needed
- Able to troubleshoot questions and concerns from staff or volunteers when managers are not on site or are otherwise occupied.
- Helps in problem-solving of concerns and issues that arise for our Animal Care team and Volunteers
- Perform opening and closing rounds with a focus on animal housing spaces, reporting concerns about individual animals immediately to appropriate teams and updating and correcting animal records in PetPoint
- Help coach new animal care staff and volunteers through the initial training process
- Read HRA email daily, responding in a timely manner when appropriate
- Acts as a leader and mentor by setting an example for the culture of our organization and embodying the values of HRA
- Identify and report maintenance/repair issues to the animal care department management
- Ensure cleanliness of public areas assigned to the Animal Care team.
- Be knowledgeable and conversational on HRA Policies and common animal welfare practices.
- Provide excellent customer service to individuals utilizing HRA services
- Work cooperatively with HRA volunteers and partners
- Restrain, confine, and handle animals, including those that are ill, injured, quarantined, and aggressive
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted
- Ability to perform strenuous physical activity daily, including but not limited to: lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, standing, squatting and bending. Regularly moves about the facilities to coordinate work.
- Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; allergens; unpleasant noises, odors, or smells.
- Proficiency in all Animal Caregiver I duties
- Fear Free Certified
- Demonstrated leadership among the animal care team and willingness to serve as a shift leader
- Compassion for animals and humane beings, commitment to HRA mission, values, and goals
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Advanced computer and phone literacy skills
- Ability to work in a team environment and follow directions
- Ability to positively interact with colleagues, coworkers, and community members from widely varied backgrounds with integrity and honesty throughout all aspects of the position, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Willingness and ability to work as part of a team and across HRA departments
- Ability to manage the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment in a positive, professional manner
- Must not have any attendance issues and must remain in compliance with HRA attendance policy.
- Must be in good standing - should not have productivity, time management, or substandard work issues.
- Able to work well under pressure, in emotionally charged situations, and handle confrontation politely and professionally while finding a solution. Passion for the HRA mission, and for caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or species, and supporting and educating members of the public, free of judgment or bias.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Apply today and become part of a team where your compassion, skills, and commitment will directly save lives and strengthen communities.
*The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, vision, dental and select offerings for pets. Additional information may be provided upon request.
*Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.
*HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodation will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.
For more than 150 years, the Humane Rescue Alliance has championed the protection of animals, support for people, and service to the community. With campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, along with the nation’s leading pet transport initiative, it stands as the largest and most comprehensive animal services provider in the region. Each year, HRA transforms the lives of tens of thousands of animals through rescue and adoption, humane protection, access to medical care, innovative community programs, and legislative leadership. Its broad reach and deep expertise enables HRA to reimagine traditional sheltering and address the most complex challenges facing animals and the people who love them.  
Under the direction of the Animal Care Manager, the Animal Care Lead works closely with the team to maintain our Standard Operating Procedures with the staff and clients. S/he will be the point person for questions or issues that may arise when the Managers are not on premises or are otherwise occupied. S/he provides a high standard of animal care to ensure the welfare of animals at HRA. S/he creates a healthy environment for all animals by monitoring their behavior, maintaining the cleanliness of kennels, and surrounding areas. S/he will monitor the movement of animals throughout the Campus.
- Shift Leadership
- Maintain a high standard of animal care and welfare, overseeing scheduled feedings, medications, clean water at all times, proper bedding, and enrichment, toys
- Monitor animals and activities in all kennel and cattery areas. Provide the highest quality of care and cleaning for domestic and exotic animals according to the industry’s best practices and HRA standard operating procedures.
- Properly Clean and sanitize kennels, rooms, cages, equipment, and areas
- Clean all animal areas outside of the rooms, including but not limited to hallways, Kitchen areas, Inventory areas, and special rooms.
- Make sure all animal rooms are appropriately stocked at all times for morning cleaning and daily care
- Perform all duties and responsibilities assigned to an Animal Caregiver.
- Monitor daily laundry washing, folding and stocking
- Bathe and clean animals on a regular schedule or immediately if they become soiled.
- Serve as point of contact for animal care team during opening and closing shifts to ensure animal care duties are completed, making and adjusting assignments among the team as needed
- Able to troubleshoot questions and concerns from staff or volunteers when managers are not on site or are otherwise occupied.
- Helps in problem-solving of concerns and issues that arise for our Animal Care team and Volunteers
- Perform opening and closing rounds with a focus on animal housing spaces, reporting concerns about individual animals immediately to appropriate teams and updating and correcting animal records in PetPoint
- Help coach new animal care staff and volunteers through the initial training process
- Read HRA email daily, responding in a timely manner when appropriate
- Acts as a leader and mentor by setting an example for the culture of our organization and embodying the values of HRA
- Identify and report maintenance/repair issues to the animal care department management
- Ensure cleanliness of public areas assigned to the Animal Care team.
- Be knowledgeable and conversational on HRA Policies and common animal welfare practices.
- Provide excellent customer service to individuals utilizing HRA services
- Work cooperatively with HRA volunteers and partners
- Restrain, confine, and handle animals, including those that are ill, injured, quarantined, and aggressive
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted
- Ability to perform strenuous physical activity daily, including but not limited to: lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, standing, squatting and bending. Regularly moves about the facilities to coordinate work.
- Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; allergens; unpleasant noises, odors, or smells.
- Proficiency in all Animal Caregiver I duties
- Fear Free Certified
- Demonstrated leadership among the animal care team and willingness to serve as a shift leader
- Compassion for animals and humane beings, commitment to HRA mission, values, and goals
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Advanced computer and phone literacy skills
- Ability to work in a team environment and follow directions
- Ability to positively interact with colleagues, coworkers, and community members from widely varied backgrounds with integrity and honesty throughout all aspects of the position, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Willingness and ability to work as part of a team and across HRA departments
- Ability to manage the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment in a positive, professional manner
- Must not have any attendance issues and must remain in compliance with HRA attendance policy.
- Must be in good standing - should not have productivity, time management, or substandard work issues.
- Able to work well under pressure, in emotionally charged situations, and handle confrontation politely and professionally while finding a solution. Passion for the HRA mission, and for caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or species, and supporting and educating members of the public, free of judgment or bias.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Apply today and become part of a team where your compassion, skills, and commitment will directly save lives and strengthen communities.
*The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, vision, dental and select offerings for pets. Additional information may be provided upon request.
*Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.
*HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodation will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.
Animal Caregiver Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Animal Caregiver JobsAnimal Caregiver Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal caregiver jobs.
- High school diploma or GED with at least one year of hands-on animal handling experience
- Demonstrated ability to safely restrain and handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments
- Knowledge of basic animal health signs, feeding protocols, and sanitation standards
- Physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and stand for extended shifts
- Animal First Aid and CPR certification or willingness to obtain upon hire
- Experience administering medications orally or topically under veterinary supervision
Tips for Your Animal Caregiver Job Search
Tailor your resume to each setting
A shelter resume should highlight high-volume animal handling and intake procedures, while a zoo application calls out species-specific experience and enrichment protocols. Swapping the focus for each listing shows you understand what that environment actually demands.
List every certification you hold
Animal First Aid, Fear Free, or Low-Stress Handling credentials can separate your application from candidates with similar experience. Put them in a dedicated certifications section near the top so hiring managers spot them before reading your work history.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists animal caregiver openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Show species-specific hands-on hours
Employers want to know exactly which animals you have worked with and for how long. Quantify your experience by species in your resume bullet points, such as daily care for large-scale dog and cat populations or handling of small exotics, rather than leaving it vague.
Prepare for a working interview
Many animal care employers ask finalists to complete a hands-on skills assessment alongside a panel interview. Brush up on safe restraint techniques and be ready to demonstrate your approach to an anxious or reactive animal calmly and confidently.
Negotiate schedule and benefits strategically
Animal care roles often involve early mornings, weekends, and holiday rotations. Before accepting an offer, clarify the exact shift rotation, overtime expectations, and whether pet care discounts or continuing education reimbursement are included, since these perks vary widely.
Animal Caregiver Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most animal caregivers?
The most active employers for animal caregivers right now are Wright-Way Rescue, APA Adoption Center, and University of Virginia, and the most openings are in Virginia, New Jersey, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be strongest at large veterinary group practices, municipal shelters, and boarding or daycare chains.
How many animal caregiver jobs are remote?
About 0% of animal caregiver openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles in this field. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include animal behavior consulting, training program coordination, and administrative roles within larger animal welfare organizations.
How do you become an animal caregiver?
Start by gaining direct experience through volunteering at a local shelter or veterinary clinic, since hands-on hours with live animals are what employers screen for first. Complete an Animal First Aid and CPR course, then pursue a Fear Free or Low-Stress Handling certification to strengthen your application. Apply to entry-level kennel attendant or animal care technician roles to build your professional record.
Can you get hired as an animal caregiver with little or no experience?
Yes, many shelters and boarding facilities hire entry-level candidates if you can show genuine animal handling ability and reliability. Volunteer shifts at a local humane society, documented pet-sitting work, or participation in a 4-H or FFA program all count as relevant background. Highlighting your comfort with fearful or reactive animals and your willingness to work early mornings and weekends will strengthen a thin resume significantly.
What does the animal caregiver interview process look like?
Most employers conduct a phone or video screen first to confirm your availability, schedule flexibility, and experience with the species they care for. A face-to-face interview typically follows, covering behavioral questions about handling stressful situations and communicating with upset pet owners. Many facilities then invite final candidates to a working interview where you demonstrate safe animal handling, kennel cleaning procedures, and basic health observation skills directly on site.
Where can I find and apply to animal caregiver jobs?
You can find and apply to animal caregiver jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the listings by location or role type, find the positions that fit your experience and availability, and apply directly to each one that interests you.
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