Animal Care & Pet Services Jobs in California with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
Animal care and pet services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in California span veterinary clinics, zoological institutions, and pet wellness companies across Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Major employers include VCA Animal Hospitals, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and corporate pet care chains with multi-location operations across the state.
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INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to better the lives of animals by building a place that's better for all of us who love them. We care deeply about the profession, and we are adding skilled Veterinary Assistants to work hand-in-hand with our Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to deliver phenomenal care to our patients.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What you'll be working on:
- Utilizing your skillset to the highest level
- Handling and restraining pets for exams
- Recording accurate medical records utilizing appropriate veterinary terminology
- Assisting medical team members with appointments, x-rays, lab work and other procedures
- Completing lab work as needed
- Performing radiology with an understanding of appropriate fields
- Completing medical calculations as needed
- Understanding of commonly used veterinary medications
- Cleaning and upkeep as needed
- Collaborating closely with DVMs and coworkers
- Communicating discharge instructions with owners
- Acting as a Modern Animal brand ambassador, including implementing local marketing efforts to grow your clinic membership base as needed
- Performing other duties as assigned by your team leader
- Growing and thriving in an environment of continuous learning, improvement and excellence
- Living and modeling the Modern Animal cultural vision by encouraging work/life balance, self-compassion, and a blame- and judgement-free work environment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Why you'd be a great fit:
- 2+ years of experience working as a Veterinary Assistant
- Strong work ethic
- Forward thinker who enjoys living curiously
- Team player, ability to collaborate
- Excellent client communication
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What you can expect from us:
- Excellent medical, vision, & dental coverage with various options to choose from
- 401k savings plan with a company match
- Generous paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Free membership to Modern Animal for your pets and discounts on extra services
- Uniform allowance
- Access to behavioral and mental health services through Spring Health
- A collaborative team who has your back and will welcome you as part of our pack
COMPENSATION
The pay range for this position is $22 - $26 per hour; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A sign-on bonus and equity grant units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided per the California Pay Transparency Act. Base pay information is based on geographic location.
We believe an equitable and inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. We're not looking for candidates who are "culture fits." We're looking for candidates who can expand our culture and challenge business as usual. We strive to foster an environment where all staff can bring their whole selves to work, by their own definition, and we strive to provide all candidates with an equitable and accessible recruitment process.
We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics.
In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
If we can offer accommodations for you in the recruitment process, or if you have feedback on how to make our recruiting more equitable or accessible, please let us know!

INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to better the lives of animals by building a place that's better for all of us who love them. We care deeply about the profession, and we are adding skilled Veterinary Assistants to work hand-in-hand with our Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to deliver phenomenal care to our patients.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What you'll be working on:
- Utilizing your skillset to the highest level
- Handling and restraining pets for exams
- Recording accurate medical records utilizing appropriate veterinary terminology
- Assisting medical team members with appointments, x-rays, lab work and other procedures
- Completing lab work as needed
- Performing radiology with an understanding of appropriate fields
- Completing medical calculations as needed
- Understanding of commonly used veterinary medications
- Cleaning and upkeep as needed
- Collaborating closely with DVMs and coworkers
- Communicating discharge instructions with owners
- Acting as a Modern Animal brand ambassador, including implementing local marketing efforts to grow your clinic membership base as needed
- Performing other duties as assigned by your team leader
- Growing and thriving in an environment of continuous learning, improvement and excellence
- Living and modeling the Modern Animal cultural vision by encouraging work/life balance, self-compassion, and a blame- and judgement-free work environment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Why you'd be a great fit:
- 2+ years of experience working as a Veterinary Assistant
- Strong work ethic
- Forward thinker who enjoys living curiously
- Team player, ability to collaborate
- Excellent client communication
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What you can expect from us:
- Excellent medical, vision, & dental coverage with various options to choose from
- 401k savings plan with a company match
- Generous paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Free membership to Modern Animal for your pets and discounts on extra services
- Uniform allowance
- Access to behavioral and mental health services through Spring Health
- A collaborative team who has your back and will welcome you as part of our pack
COMPENSATION
The pay range for this position is $22 - $26 per hour; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A sign-on bonus and equity grant units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided per the California Pay Transparency Act. Base pay information is based on geographic location.
We believe an equitable and inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. We're not looking for candidates who are "culture fits." We're looking for candidates who can expand our culture and challenge business as usual. We strive to foster an environment where all staff can bring their whole selves to work, by their own definition, and we strive to provide all candidates with an equitable and accessible recruitment process.
We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics.
In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
If we can offer accommodations for you in the recruitment process, or if you have feedback on how to make our recruiting more equitable or accessible, please let us know!
Job Roles in Animal Care & Pet Services in California
See all 159+ Animal Care & Pet Services California jobs
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which animal care & pet services companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in California?
California-based employers with a track record of hiring OPT workers in animal care include VCA Animal Hospitals, Banfield Pet Hospital locations, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and the University of California veterinary programs. Large corporate veterinary groups operating multi-site practices across the state tend to have dedicated HR processes familiar with OPT work authorization requirements, making them more likely to onboard F-1 students than independent clinics.
Which cities in California have the most animal care & pet services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Los Angeles and San Diego concentrate the highest volume of animal care OPT roles in California, driven by dense veterinary clinic networks, wildlife facilities, and corporate pet services headquarters. The San Francisco Bay Area offers opportunities in veterinary research and animal-adjacent biotech. Sacramento and Fresno also have active agricultural and large-animal veterinary sectors that periodically hire OPT-eligible graduates from California's land-grant and veterinary programs.
What types of animal care & pet services roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align directly with a STEM or life sciences degree field are the strongest fit for OPT authorization in this industry. Veterinary technician positions, animal behaviorist roles, zoological research assistants, and wildlife rehabilitation coordinators commonly qualify when the job is tied to a relevant degree. Standard OPT lasts 12 months, while graduates with STEM-designated degrees in fields like animal science or biology may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension with an eligible employer.
How do I find animal care & pet services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT job seekers and filters animal care and pet services roles in California by visa sponsorship availability, saving you from manually screening employers. Search by industry and state on Migrate Mate to surface positions from employers already open to OPT candidates. Targeting employers with established HR departments or those affiliated with veterinary schools in California also increases your chances of finding sponsorship-ready openings.
Are there any California-specific considerations for F-1 OPT workers in animal care & pet services?
California requires veterinary technicians to hold a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) license from the California Veterinary Medical Board, which is separate from your OPT work authorization. You can work in unlicensed animal care support roles while pursuing licensure, but practicing as an RVT without state licensure is not permitted regardless of visa status. California's strong animal welfare regulations also mean employers in this sector are accustomed to compliance-heavy hiring, which can work in your favor as an OPT candidate documenting authorization carefully.
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