OPT Animal Care Technician Jobs
Animal Care Technician jobs on OPT are available at research universities, veterinary clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and animal shelters. Most roles align with biology, animal science, or veterinary technology degrees. Your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility will matter to employers, so have those details ready.
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Get Access To All JobsANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN
Petland is looking for people with an unwavering love for animals who want to build and advance their career in a fun and rewarding environment. Join us to become an ultimate caretaker, pairing our friends with their forever families. Our Animal Care Technicians are trained to provide excellent care for our Petland puppies. It is critical that every puppy’s nutritional, behavioral, environmental, and maintenance needs are met. Animal Care Technicians provide care by following established company systems and procedures and help ensure our pets are healthy and happy when they join their forever home. Apply today and let Petland help you kick start your career in the pet industry.
WHY PETLAND IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK:
Petland is more than a job, it’s a pet loving community. We’re looking for people with an unwavering love for animals who want to build or advance their career in a fun and rewarding environment. Imagine coming to work every day knowing that you help create lasting connections between pets and their new families. Turn your pet passion into a fulfilling career at Petland! #PetlandCareers #AnimalLoversWanted
Watch the Petland career video here: https://vimeo.com/951590665?share\=copy
Here are the top 5 reasons why you should consider working with us:
1. Unwavering Love for Animals: At Petland, you'll be surrounded by furry, feathered, and scaly friends every day. If you're an animal lover, this is the perfect place to turn your passion into a career.
2. Training and Education: We invest in our team's growth through comprehensive training programs. Whether you're just starting or an experienced pro, you'll have opportunities to expand your knowledge in animal care and customer service.
3. Make a Positive Impact: Working at Petland means you'll play a vital role in helping pets find their forever homes. Your guidance will bring joy to families and provide loving companions to animals in need.
4. Work with a Fun Team: We have a close-knit team of fellow pet enthusiasts who are supportive, friendly, and dedicated to our mission. You'll build lasting friendships while working together.
5. Career Advancement: Petland offers opportunities for career growth. We value internal promotion and strive to help our employees develop their skills and advance within the company. Join us in making a difference in the lives of pets and pet owners. If you're a motivated, compassionate individual with a love for animals, we'd love to hear from you! Apply now and become a part of the Petland family.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Animal Care Technicians provide care for puppy’s nutritional, behavioral, environmental, and maintenance needs.
- Performs opening, daily and closing procedures in the kennel.
- Completes procedural cleaning checklists to ensure maximum cleanliness and ensures cleanliness is maintained.
- Ensures the health of all puppies and kittens is monitored daily and assists in keeping proper records.
- Ensures proper pet nutrition, socialization, and cleaning is handled according to expectations.
- Assists dedicated store veterinarian with puppy and kitten examinations and provides care and medications as prescribed by the veterinarian.
- Selected and properly trained “key holders” assist with the training and coaching of other, less experienced Animal Care Technicians.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by management.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Attention to Detail
- Teamwork
- Animal Husbandry
- Communication
- Time Management
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR TRAINING:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Standing – Continually required to stand
- Walking – Continually required to walk
- Sitting – Occasionally required to sit
- Travelling – Occasionally required to travel
- Finger Dexterity – Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
- Climb, Bend, Balance, Stoop, Kneel or Crawl – Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
- Talking/Hearing – Continually required to talk or hear
- Visual Acuity – Continually utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard
- Lifting/Pushing/Carrying – Occasionally required to lift more than 50 lbs. at a time with frequent lifting, pushing, or carrying of up to 30 lbs.
EEO Statement: Petland is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity status.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify Petland’s Department of Human Resources.
ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN
Petland is looking for people with an unwavering love for animals who want to build and advance their career in a fun and rewarding environment. Join us to become an ultimate caretaker, pairing our friends with their forever families. Our Animal Care Technicians are trained to provide excellent care for our Petland puppies. It is critical that every puppy’s nutritional, behavioral, environmental, and maintenance needs are met. Animal Care Technicians provide care by following established company systems and procedures and help ensure our pets are healthy and happy when they join their forever home. Apply today and let Petland help you kick start your career in the pet industry.
WHY PETLAND IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK:
Petland is more than a job, it’s a pet loving community. We’re looking for people with an unwavering love for animals who want to build or advance their career in a fun and rewarding environment. Imagine coming to work every day knowing that you help create lasting connections between pets and their new families. Turn your pet passion into a fulfilling career at Petland! #PetlandCareers #AnimalLoversWanted
Watch the Petland career video here: https://vimeo.com/951590665?share\=copy
Here are the top 5 reasons why you should consider working with us:
1. Unwavering Love for Animals: At Petland, you'll be surrounded by furry, feathered, and scaly friends every day. If you're an animal lover, this is the perfect place to turn your passion into a career.
2. Training and Education: We invest in our team's growth through comprehensive training programs. Whether you're just starting or an experienced pro, you'll have opportunities to expand your knowledge in animal care and customer service.
3. Make a Positive Impact: Working at Petland means you'll play a vital role in helping pets find their forever homes. Your guidance will bring joy to families and provide loving companions to animals in need.
4. Work with a Fun Team: We have a close-knit team of fellow pet enthusiasts who are supportive, friendly, and dedicated to our mission. You'll build lasting friendships while working together.
5. Career Advancement: Petland offers opportunities for career growth. We value internal promotion and strive to help our employees develop their skills and advance within the company. Join us in making a difference in the lives of pets and pet owners. If you're a motivated, compassionate individual with a love for animals, we'd love to hear from you! Apply now and become a part of the Petland family.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Animal Care Technicians provide care for puppy’s nutritional, behavioral, environmental, and maintenance needs.
- Performs opening, daily and closing procedures in the kennel.
- Completes procedural cleaning checklists to ensure maximum cleanliness and ensures cleanliness is maintained.
- Ensures the health of all puppies and kittens is monitored daily and assists in keeping proper records.
- Ensures proper pet nutrition, socialization, and cleaning is handled according to expectations.
- Assists dedicated store veterinarian with puppy and kitten examinations and provides care and medications as prescribed by the veterinarian.
- Selected and properly trained “key holders” assist with the training and coaching of other, less experienced Animal Care Technicians.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by management.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Attention to Detail
- Teamwork
- Animal Husbandry
- Communication
- Time Management
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR TRAINING:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Standing – Continually required to stand
- Walking – Continually required to walk
- Sitting – Occasionally required to sit
- Travelling – Occasionally required to travel
- Finger Dexterity – Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
- Climb, Bend, Balance, Stoop, Kneel or Crawl – Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
- Talking/Hearing – Continually required to talk or hear
- Visual Acuity – Continually utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard
- Lifting/Pushing/Carrying – Occasionally required to lift more than 50 lbs. at a time with frequent lifting, pushing, or carrying of up to 30 lbs.
EEO Statement: Petland is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity status.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify Petland’s Department of Human Resources.
See all 154+ OPT Animal Care Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Animal Care Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Animal Care Technician
Lead with your OPT authorization dates
Employers hiring Animal Care Technicians want to know how long you can work without a visa transfer. State your OPT start and end dates clearly in your application and be ready to confirm whether you qualify for the 24-month STEM extension.
Target research institutions and universities
Research universities and academic medical centers hire Animal Care Technicians regularly and are experienced with OPT work authorization. These institutions often have dedicated HR processes for international employees, making them more receptive than smaller private practices.
Highlight hands-on lab and husbandry experience
Animal care employers prioritize candidates with documented experience handling specific species, operating autoclave equipment, or following IACUC protocols. Concrete skills from coursework, internships, or campus vivarium work make your application stand out to sponsorship-willing employers.
Confirm your degree field aligns with the role
OPT requires a direct connection between your degree and your job. Animal science, biology, veterinary technology, and zoology degrees typically satisfy this for Animal Care Technician roles. Be prepared to explain that connection clearly if an employer or DSO asks.
Ask about STEM OPT extension eligibility early
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field like biology or animal science, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. Mentioning this early shows employers you have longer-term availability, which can be the deciding factor in a hiring decision.
Get your DSO to confirm employment before you start
You cannot legally begin work as an Animal Care Technician until your OPT EAD card is in hand and your DSO has recorded the employer in SEVIS. Confirm these steps are complete before your first day to protect your immigration status.
Animal Care Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Animal Care Technician on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. Animal science, biology, veterinary technology, and zoology degrees typically satisfy the OPT employment requirement for this role. Your employer does not need to sponsor a visa for you to work on OPT, but the job must align with your area of study.
Do Animal Care Technician employers typically support OPT workers?
Research universities, pharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations are the most OPT-friendly employers for this role because they regularly hire from academic pipelines and have HR teams familiar with work authorization. Smaller veterinary clinics or private shelters may be less experienced with OPT, so it helps to explain the process clearly during interviews. Migrate Mate lists Animal Care Technician roles from employers open to OPT candidates.
Does an Animal Care Technician job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as biology, animal science, or biochemistry, and your employer is E-Verify registered, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. The role itself does not need a STEM designation. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO to verify eligibility before your initial OPT period expires.
What happens to my OPT status if my Animal Care Technician contract ends?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during the standard period and 150 days during the STEM extension. If your contract ends, those days begin accumulating immediately. You can take on a new Animal Care Technician position or a related role to stop the clock, but you must update your employment in SEVIS through your DSO within 10 days of starting.
Can I work part-time as an Animal Care Technician on OPT?
Yes. Post-completion OPT permits part-time work of at least 20 hours per week, and that counts as authorized employment. Working fewer than 20 hours per week is treated as unemployment and counts toward your 90-day limit. If you are on the STEM extension, you must work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid status under the extension requirements.