Animal Care Assistant / Dog Handler

Title: Animal Care Assistant and Dog Handler
Exemption Status: Non-exempt
Pay rate: $25/hr


POSITION AVAILABLE AS OF 3/25/26
Position Type: Full-Time / 40hrs (full time & weekend availability required)

Operating Hours: We typically operate between the hours of 7am - 5pm, split into two main shifts.


Benefits: Paid Sick and Vacation, Health Insurance, 5 paid holidays.

Please do not call or email us directly via the information on our website. To be considered for the role, please apply directly through this ad and include a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and any relevant professional or personal experience you have.


This position is at Azaya Ranch Sanctuary, a non-profit animal rescue in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The sanctuary is located on a beautiful ranch, with multiple trails and dedicated areas for walking, training, and playing!

We are looking for someone that wants to join a close knit small team that enjoys working with animals. If you have experience working with animals professionally, through volunteering, or other experience, we'd love to hear from you.

Many of the animals we rescue have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. Some were well-loved and cared for by now-deceased guardians; some were from families that lost their homes. Some of our animals have health and behavioral issues they need our help to overcome. All of our animals are a testament to just how strong a spirit can be.

The Animal Care Assistant and Dog Handler will work as part of the Sanctuary team, providing day-to-day husbandry and handling. This position is a key support role; it ensures that our animals have high quality care, daily exercise, enrichment, and helps to maintain our facility as a whole. We provide training for the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Dog Handling & Care:

-Feed animals and clean kennels / other animal living spaces

-Bathe and groom dogs as needed

-On-leash walks and hikes
-Off-leash playtime in designated, fenced-in play areas
-Provide enrichment activities for the animals as directed

-Train dogs as instructed
-Take dogs on small day trips to simulate real world activities
-Transport dogs to and from shelters, and take dogs to adoption events or vet visits when scheduled

-Laundry duties, as well as general clean up and organization of all working spaces
-Administer prescribed and over the counter medicines as directed

-Attend to any other medical or therapeutic needs as directed

-Comply with all methods of communications, including, but not limited to, log-books, bulletin boards, emails, and animal file notes
-Assistance with the adoption program as needed

Basic Requirements

-Previous experience with shelter or rescue dogs, paid or volunteer
-Ability to safely handle dogs of different breeds, sizes, strengths, and temperaments
-Love of the outdoors and getting dirty
-Willingness to work in all weather conditions, including the heat, cold, and rain
-Ability to work under supervision, individually, and as a team
-Strong communication skills both orally and in writing
-Comfortable using internet applications and email daily

-Ability to follow instructions

-Clean valid Driver's License
-Reliable transportation and attendance (there are no nearby bus services.)
-Ability to work weekends and holidays

-Willingness to be photographed or filmed individually or in group settings during the course of work, with content used on company-managed social media platforms.

Physical Requirements
-Work is performed in a kennel/shelter setting and outdoors.
-Frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, walking, and standing on feet 8-10 hours per day while performing job functions.
-Occasional lifting of up to 80 pounds with reasonable accommodations.
-Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals of questionable temperament. Tetanus and rabies (pre-exposure) inoculations are recommended.

ALL INTERVIEWS AND VISITS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please no phone calls or direct emails.

We look forward to receiving your application!