Laboratory Animal Caretaker Jobs
Laboratory Animal Caretaker jobs are open across research universities, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and government labs, at every level from entry-level technician to senior animal care specialist, with specializations in rodent husbandry, surgical support, and colony management. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 10+ Laboratory Animal Caretaker jobs
- CANDIDATES WILL WORK 2 - 4 DAYS EACH WEEK (9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.) AND MUST HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION WITHIN 20 MINUTES DRIVE OF NEW ROCHELLE, NY.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Thorough disinfecting of all kennels, dog pens and dishes
- Twice daily feeding providing fresh water for all dogs, including special diets
- Spot cleaning of all dog areas throughout the day
- Cleaning and upkeep of the shelter building, including outside spaces, taking garbage out, and sorting donations to put away in designated areas
- Monitoring the health and behavior of the dogs at the shelter and reporting concerns to your Shelter Managers
- Providing animal enrichment including dog walks and play dates
- Treating all dogs humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstances
- Maintaining a friendly demeanor and providing good and professional customer service while assisting volunteers, the public and other staff
- Assisting with other duties and tasks as requested by the Shelter Manager and other staff
- Follow all policies and procedures as documented by the Humane Society
Candidates that are good for this Job are:
- Comfortable handling large dogs in a shelter environment
- Able to stay on your feet for the majority of your assigned shift
- Able to lift and move items weighing up to 30lbs for short distances
- Able to work in all-weather situations including extreme heat/cold, rain, snow, etc.
- Punctual and reliable and work well with teammates
- Possess a positive and friendly attitude, Good communication and listening skills
- Able to work independently, able to think on your feet
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
- CANDIDATES WILL WORK 2 - 4 DAYS EACH WEEK (9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.) AND MUST HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION WITHIN 20 MINUTES DRIVE OF NEW ROCHELLE, NY.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Thorough disinfecting of all kennels, dog pens and dishes
- Twice daily feeding providing fresh water for all dogs, including special diets
- Spot cleaning of all dog areas throughout the day
- Cleaning and upkeep of the shelter building, including outside spaces, taking garbage out, and sorting donations to put away in designated areas
- Monitoring the health and behavior of the dogs at the shelter and reporting concerns to your Shelter Managers
- Providing animal enrichment including dog walks and play dates
- Treating all dogs humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstances
- Maintaining a friendly demeanor and providing good and professional customer service while assisting volunteers, the public and other staff
- Assisting with other duties and tasks as requested by the Shelter Manager and other staff
- Follow all policies and procedures as documented by the Humane Society
Candidates that are good for this Job are:
- Comfortable handling large dogs in a shelter environment
- Able to stay on your feet for the majority of your assigned shift
- Able to lift and move items weighing up to 30lbs for short distances
- Able to work in all-weather situations including extreme heat/cold, rain, snow, etc.
- Punctual and reliable and work well with teammates
- Possess a positive and friendly attitude, Good communication and listening skills
- Able to work independently, able to think on your feet
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
See All 10 Laboratory Animal Caretaker Jobs
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Find JobsLaboratory Animal Caretaker Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in laboratory animal caretaker jobs.
- Experience with rodent husbandry including breeding colony maintenance and health monitoring
- Knowledge of standard operating procedures and IACUC protocol compliance requirements
- AALAS certification at ALAT level or willingness to obtain certification within a set timeframe
- Ability to perform cage changes, sanitation, and animal health observations according to facility standards
- Physical ability to lift feed bags, push cage racks, and work in environments requiring PPE
- High school diploma or GED with relevant hands-on animal care experience in a research setting
Tips for Your Laboratory Animal Caretaker Job Search
Highlight AALAS certification on your resume
AALAS certification levels (ALAT, LAT, LATG) signal verified competency to hiring managers screening dozens of applications. List your current certification level prominently near the top of your resume, and note any in-progress certifications with expected completion dates.
Tailor your resume to species experience
Job postings for laboratory animal caretakers frequently specify species: rodents, non-human primates, rabbits, or zebrafish. Match the species you've handled directly to the listing's requirements rather than listing all species in a generic block under one bullet.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists laboratory animal caretaker openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare to discuss IACUC protocol compliance
Interviewers at research institutions routinely ask how you've handled protocol deviations, animal welfare concerns, or documentation errors. Prepare a specific example that shows you identified an issue, reported it correctly, and followed the facility's standard operating procedures.
Search by facility type to find the right fit
Academic vivaria, biotech startups, and contract research organizations operate very differently in pace, species mix, and compliance culture. Filtering your search by employer type helps you target openings where your specific husbandry background and preferred working environment align.
Follow up after your interview with specifics
A follow-up note that references a specific animal care challenge discussed during the interview, such as a colony health monitoring protocol or enrichment program, stands out more than a generic thank-you and reinforces your technical attentiveness to the hiring manager.
Laboratory Animal Caretaker Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most laboratory animal caretakers?
The most active employers for laboratory animal caretakers right now are Peak Legacy Ranch, MRIA Consulting, and Accessible Space, and the most openings are in Colorado, Montana, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Research universities and contract research organizations consistently post the highest volume of openings throughout the year.
How many laboratory animal caretaker jobs are remote?
About 0% of laboratory animal caretaker openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, since most roles require hands-on animal care that cannot be done off-site. Administrative roles within animal care programs, such as colony record management or compliance coordination, account for the majority of remote or hybrid-eligible positions in this field.
How do you become a laboratory animal caretaker?
Most entry-level laboratory animal caretaker roles require a high school diploma and some hands-on experience with animals, which you can gain through veterinary clinics, shelters, or farm work. Earning an ALAT certification through AALAS strengthens your candidacy significantly. Once hired, facilities provide on-the-job training in their specific protocols, species care, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Can you get hired as a laboratory animal caretaker with no experience?
Yes, entry-level laboratory animal caretaker positions exist specifically for candidates with limited formal research experience. Employers in this field prioritize reliability, attention to detail, and comfort around animals over prior lab credentials. Volunteering at a shelter, completing an ALAT exam prep course, or working as a veterinary assistant gives you concrete talking points that differentiate you from other entry-level applicants.
What does the laboratory animal caretaker interview process look like?
Most interviews for laboratory animal caretaker roles involve an initial phone screen with HR focused on availability and basic background, followed by an in-person or video interview with the vivarium manager or animal facility supervisor. Candidates are typically asked about species experience, how they handle protocol deviations, and their familiarity with cage sanitation and health observation procedures. Some facilities include a brief facility tour or working interview.
Where can I find and apply to laboratory animal caretaker jobs?
You can find and apply to laboratory animal caretaker jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations across the United States. Search for roles that match your species experience and certification level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and preferred location.
See All 10 Laboratory Animal Caretaker Jobs
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