A career of compassion: Working with the animals of Best Friends

At Best Friends Animal Society, we believe that every living creature matters: you, your neighbors, your community members and, of course, the animals.

That’s why we are not only dedicated to saving the lives of our furry best friends, we want to create a world that is kinder and better for everyone.

Opportunities nationwide

Whether your passion is accounting or animal care, strategy or social media, technology or training and behavior, there’s a career here for you.

Best Friends offers opportunities across the country for people who want to make a difference for pets and their families. We were recently honored as one of Fast Company's list of the Best Workplaces For Innovators for 2024, Fast Company’s Brands That Matter, and one of the 2022 Top Workplaces.

We’re so proud to be recognized for our innovative work to take the entire country no-kill in 2025. So, what are you waiting for? Come find out what Best Friends is all about.

Current Job Openings

Specialist, Veterinary Programs

Bentonville, AR

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Supervisor, Lifesaving and Care - Dogtown

Kanab, UT

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Specialist, Veterinary Programs - Part-time

Bentonville, AR

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Specialist, Lifesaving & Care - Cat World

Kanab, UT

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Specialist, Lifesaving & Care Bunny House

Kanab, UT

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Sanctuary Ambassador (Part Time) - Kanab, UT

Kanab, UT

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Staff Veterinarian - Kanab, UT

Kanab, UT

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Technician, Veterinary Programs

Los Angeles, CA

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Who we are underneath the fur (and feathers)

Best Friends believes in being kind to all, both two- and four-legged beings. Compassion drives our work to save the lives of animals.

And it drives our daily lives. We do not judge. We respect one another. We embrace new ideas, solutions and differences. We welcome people from all backgrounds and appreciate where you are in your professional journey.

We are quirky. We never take ourselves too seriously, and we know that humor is important in this field. We operate with love and seek to spread positivity.

We are determined to create a safer, brighter world for homeless pets and to Save Them All.

Who are you (other than an animal person)

You are passionate, talented and willing to share your special skills with others in order to save the lives of animals. You are open to new ideas and ways of thinking.

You are not only an animal lover, you’re a people lover. You strive to lift others up and empower those around you, while empowering and caring for yourself. (Self-care is so important.)

Like everyone else at Best Friends, you are kind and don’t take yourself too seriously. You like to laugh while you work, yet you are driven to get your work done.

You are willing to accept change in an ever-changing and evolving field, and you welcome people from all walks of life. You lead with humility and you’re determined to Save Them All.

When we say everybody is welcome, we mean everybody

You are passionate, talented and willing to share your special skills with others in order to save the lives of animals. You are open to new ideas and ways of thinking.

The communities we partner with are diverse and multicultural and we want that to be reflected within our organization. We want employees who will bring their unique wisdom, special skills, passion and whole self to the workplace.

We believe that our differences – race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, domestic partner status, political affiliation, and more – are pivotal to uniting the movement and achieving our mission.

We hire based on kindness and treating all living things, people, animals, and the planet, as we would like to be treated. We want candidates who can enhance and thrive within our inclusive culture, and use their unique strengths and experiences to help us Save Them All.

Why work here? See for yourself!

“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
Salt Lake City, Utah

“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
Kanab, Utah

“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
Director, DEIB
Remote

We offer some amazing benefits

At Best Friends, we believe in treating all living things as we ourselves would wish to be treated — and that goes for our employees and their families, too.

That’s why we show our employees we care with a comprehensive benefits package. As a full-time Best Friends employee, you'll have access to coverage for your health — mental, physical, and financial — plus generous time off, a 401(k) (we match up to 6% of employee contributions), paid family leave, and so much more.

“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.”

Rebekah

Manager, Brand Experience

Remote/Salt Lake City, UT

"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."

Krystal

Supervisor, Lifesaving and Care

Los Angeles, California

“Every day I get to help people. I am honored to help them on their journey and listen to their stories.”

Heather D.

Specialist-Estate Administration

Kanab, Utah

“It has been an absolute blessing to be part of such an incredible, intellectual, passionate, compassionate, forward thinking, organization.”

Sharon

Senior Strategist, Emergency Services

Remote

“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.”

Heather M.

Prospect Researcher

Kanab, Utah

“The Best Friends mission and their approach matched my ideals perfectly and I knew it was a place I definitely wanted to work at.”

Leah

National Embed Program Specialist

Remote

Find volunteer opportunities at the Sanctuary and near you.

Want to start your career with the animals by volunteering? More than 30% of Best Friends staff started out as volunteers.

Person walking with a dog in Utah desert

Looking to grow your career?

You can help animals and gain professional experience as a Best Friends intern.

Become an Intern

Person working on a laptop computer with a dog in his lap

Transform your passion for helping dogs and cats

Explore educational opportunities through Best Friends and develop the skills to help make an impact in animal welfare — whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance in the field.

Explore our Courses

Other Employment and Volunteer Opportunities

Veterinary and vet tech externship opportunities

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Clinic in Kanab, UT provides veterinary and veterinary technician students with hands-on clinical experience in a unique shelter medicine setting. Read more about the externship program.

Job opportunities with our Best Friends Network partners

Best Friends Animal Society firmly believes that working together with local shelters and rescue organizations is the key to ending the killing in our nation’s shelters. Our Best Friends Network is comprised of thousands of organizations committed to working together to save the lives of homeless pets. We encourage you to review employment opportunities with our Network partners, and connect with them directly for further information on particular openings.