Career of Compassion: Animal Welfare Jobs at Best Friends
Explore meaningful career opportunities in animal welfare with Best Friends Animal Society.
A Career of Compassion: Working with Animals at Best Friends
At Best Friends Animal Society, we believe that meaningful work extends beyond just saving animal lives—it’s about creating a world that is kinder and better for everyone. Whether you’re passionate about accounting, animal care, strategy, social media, technology, training, or behavior, there’s a career waiting for you here. Our organization is dedicated to building a workplace where compassion drives every decision, and every team member plays a vital role in our mission to ensure no animal is left behind.
Working at Best Friends means joining a community of individuals who share your commitment to animal welfare and social responsibility. We understand that our employees are the backbone of our organization, and we invest in creating an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally.
Opportunities Nationwide
Best Friends Animal Society offers career opportunities across the United States, allowing you to make a difference regardless of where you live. Our positions span multiple departments and skill levels, from entry-level roles to leadership positions. We maintain facilities in key locations and remote positions that enable talented individuals to contribute to our mission from anywhere in the country.
Our diverse job openings include roles in animal care, veterinary services, adoption and transport, technology, communications, administration, and advocacy. Each position is designed to support our overarching goal of creating a no-kill nation where every animal has the chance to thrive.
Who We Are Underneath the Fur and Feathers
Best Friends believes in being kind to all—both two-legged and four-legged beings. Compassion is the driving force behind everything we do. Our organization is built on the principle that every life matters, and this philosophy extends to how we treat our employees, volunteers, partners, and the animals in our care.
Our team members are united by a shared vision of a world where animal cruelty is eliminated and every pet has a loving home. We celebrate diversity, encourage innovation, and foster an environment where every voice is heard and valued. When you join Best Friends, you become part of a movement larger than yourself.
Who Are You (Other Than an Animal Person)
We’re looking for passionate, talented individuals willing to share their special skills to save animal lives. The ideal Best Friends employee is:
- Open to new ideas and ways of thinking
- Committed to continuous learning and professional development
- Collaborative and willing to work as part of a team
- Resilient and able to handle the emotional aspects of animal welfare work
- Innovative and eager to contribute creative solutions
- Compassionate not just toward animals, but toward people as well
We recognize that qualifications extend beyond formal credentials. We value qualities such as grit, kindness, community spirit, problem-solving ability, compassion, and resilience. These human qualities are just as important as technical expertise in our workplace.
When We Say Everybody Is Welcome, We Mean Everybody
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to Best Friends’ culture. We celebrate differences and understand that diverse perspectives strengthen our organization and our ability to serve animals and communities. We actively work to create an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to do their best work.
Our commitment to inclusion means we welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We believe that everyone has something unique to contribute to our mission, and we’re committed to removing barriers that might prevent talented individuals from joining our team.
Why Work Here? See for Yourself
Our employees consistently speak to the profound satisfaction of working at Best Friends. Here’s what some of our team members have to say:
“I love the direction, the kindness, the innovation, the space to be creative—all of those things mean a lot to me… I’m so thankful for the internal culture that is fostered daily.”
Aimee, Director, National Learning Advancement
“This is one of the best places to be. If you’re thinking about applying or a full career change, like I did, don’t hesitate. It is amazing.”
Kira, Manager, Volunteer Engagement
“What I love most about my role is that every day I have the opportunity to support my fellow colleagues. I love the fact that we save animals—animals make the world a better place.”
Dawn, Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion Director
These testimonials reflect the core values that define the Best Friends workplace: mission-driven work, supportive leadership, and a genuine commitment to both animal welfare and employee well-being.
We Offer Amazing Benefits
At Best Friends, we believe in treating all living things—including our employees and their families—as we ourselves wish to be treated. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being:
- Generous paid time off (up to 9 hours per month for full-time employees)
- Nine paid holidays annually
- Health and wellness programs, including mental health support
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Flexible work arrangements and remote work options
- Auto insurance discounts
- Legal and identity theft protection services
- Staff appreciation programs and recognition initiatives
- Tiered career advancement opportunities
We understand that working in animal welfare can be emotionally demanding. That’s why we prioritize mental health support and work-life balance, recognizing that caring for our employees enables us to better care for animals.
Current Job Openings
Best Friends regularly posts new positions across various departments and locations. Current opportunities include roles such as:
- Director, Cat World
- Internship positions in Legislative and Grassroots Advocacy
- Veterinary Technicians and Staff Veterinarians
- Animal Care Specialists and Supervisors
- Adoption and Transport Specialists
- Tour Guides and Sanctuary Ambassadors
- Social Media and Communications Coordinators
- Technology and IT Support Staff
- Managers and Team Leads across departments
Positions are available at our main sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, remote locations, and at partner facilities across the nation. Job types include full-time, part-time, seasonal, and volunteer opportunities.
What Employees Say About Working Here
Employee testimonials consistently highlight the rewarding nature of working at Best Friends:
“It is rewarding to work at Best Friends. I find endless motivation in the collective work we do because Best Friends celebrates the success of people and pets.”
“I can’t say enough how much I love working for an organization that cares so deeply for animals the way I do. I always was looking for my spot in life and I finally found it. Best Friends has so many wonderful people that come with it and help make this spot shine for me everyday.”
“Every day I get to help people. I am honored to help them on their journey and listen to their stories.”
“It has been an absolute blessing to be part of such an incredible, intellectual, passionate, compassionate, forward-thinking organization.”
“It makes all the difference to work where both the leadership and the employees have a genuine concern for the animals as well as each other.”
“The Best Friends mission and their approach matched my ideals perfectly and I knew it was a place I definitely wanted to work at.”
Our Commitment to Employee Growth and Development
Best Friends is committed to helping our employees develop professionally and advance in their careers. We provide tiered positions within departments, allowing employees to progress as they gain experience and expertise. Regular training opportunities, including cross-departmental training, encourage professional growth and increase job satisfaction.
We believe that by investing in our employees’ development, we create a stronger organization that can better serve animals and communities. We also recognize the importance of work-life balance and mental health in maintaining a sustainable, healthy workplace.
Finding Your Fit at Best Friends
Whether you’re starting your career in animal welfare or transitioning from another field, Best Friends welcomes talented individuals who share our passion. We look beyond traditional qualifications to find people with the right mindset and values. If you’re compassionate, creative, and committed to making a difference, there may be a place for you on our team.
Our recruitment process is designed to help both candidates and the organization find the right fit. We actively recruit from diverse sources, including animal welfare professional organizations, nonprofit networks, volunteer pools, and community partnerships. This ensures we attract a wide range of qualified candidates who bring different perspectives and experiences to our work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of careers are available at Best Friends?
A: Best Friends offers diverse career paths including animal care, veterinary services, adoption and transport, technology, communications, strategy, administration, advocacy, and many other areas. Whether you have a background in a specific field or are passionate about animals, there’s likely a role for you.
Q: Does Best Friends hire remote employees?
A: Yes, Best Friends offers remote positions in various departments, including advocacy, communications, and administrative roles. This allows talented individuals from across the country to contribute to our mission.
Q: What benefits does Best Friends offer employees?
A: Best Friends offers generous paid time off (up to 9 hours monthly for full-time staff), nine paid holidays, health and wellness programs including mental health support, professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements, auto insurance discounts, and legal and identity theft protection services.
Q: Do I need animal care experience to work at Best Friends?
A: While experience is valuable, Best Friends looks for qualities such as compassion, resilience, problem-solving ability, and willingness to learn. We value passion and commitment as much as formal experience and provide training to help employees succeed.
Q: How does Best Friends support work-life balance?
A: Best Friends prioritizes employee well-being through flexible scheduling, remote work options, adequate paid time off, mental health support services, and recognition programs. We understand that working in animal welfare can be emotionally demanding and are committed to supporting our team members.
Q: What is the workplace culture like at Best Friends?
A: Best Friends fosters a culture of compassion, collaboration, and inclusivity. Employees describe it as a place where people genuinely care about animals and each other, where innovation is encouraged, and where every team member’s contributions are recognized and valued.
Q: Are there opportunities for career advancement at Best Friends?
A: Yes, Best Friends provides tiered career positions within departments and regular training opportunities, including cross-departmental training. We’re committed to supporting employee professional development and creating pathways for career growth.
References
- Careers at Best Friends Animal Society — Best Friends Animal Society. 2025. https://bestfriends.org/careers
- Best Friends Animal Society Employer Profile — AVMA Career Center. 2025. https://jobs.avma.org/profile/best-friends-animal-society/482799/
- Staff Recruitment and Retention — Best Friends Animal Society. 2025. https://bestfriends.org/network/resources-tools/staff-recruitment-and-retention
- Best Friends Animal Society Careers and Employment — Indeed.com. 2025. https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Best-Friends-Animal-Society
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