Animal Care Taker

Piper Companies; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization is seeking an Animal Care Taker to join their Laboratory Animal Resources team in Philadelphia, PA. This position involves providing daily care, nutrition, and sanitation for research and teaching animals, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and welfare standards. Ideal candidates will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or GED. Experience in a relevant animal care setting is preferred. This is a full-time position that may require weekend and holiday work.

Qualifications

• Up to 6 months of experience working with animals or in a related setting.
• Previous experience working with animals in a veterinary clinic or research facility is preferred.
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care, nutrition, and sanitation for research and teaching animals.
• Follow ULAR standard operating procedures and safety policies.
• Maintain accurate logs and records for animal care.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Basic computer proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Piper Companies is seeking Animal Care Taker part Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) team in Philadelphia, PA. This position is responsible for providing daily care, nutrition, and sanitation for research and teaching animals, while helping ensure compliance with institutional policies, federal regulations, and animal welfare standards.

Job Responsibilities

1. Follow all ULAR standard operating procedures, IACUC guidelines, safety policies, and quality standards.
2. Perform routine health checks on animals each day, reporting any unusual observations to veterinary personnel. Ensure every animal has proper access to food and water at all times.
3. Change cages, refresh food and water, and maintain housing conditions according to ULAR SOPs or approved protocols, following the schedule set by the Area Supervisor.
4. Identify animals by age and sex and determine appropriate weaning times in accordance with established procedures and IACUC policy.
5. Dispose of deceased animals following approved SOPs and institutional policies.
6. Assist with handling, restraining, and moving various species as needed by investigators or ULAR staff.
7. Receive, assess, label, and correctly house incoming animal shipments based on ULAR procedures.
8. Maintain accurate daily logs, room sheets, census information, enrichment records, equipment logs, and other required documentation. Ensure proper cage labeling and animal identification.
9. Clean and sanitize assigned rooms, cages, and animal facility spaces as outlined in ULAR SOPs.
10. Conduct routine maintenance and minor repairs on animal cages and related equipment.
11. Operate facility equipment such as cage washers, autoclaves, and the Hydropac water system.
12. Perform basic preventative maintenance on equipment—including cleaning filters, sprayers, and descaling washers and autoclaves.
13. Break down and process dirty cages (removing bedding, separating parts, soaking components).
14. Prepare clean cages and accessories by adding bedding, preparing water bottles, and autoclaving as required.
15. Complete all required records, forms, cage cards, logs, and inventories per ULAR SOPs.
16. Carry out additional tasks as assigned to support animal wellbeing and facility operations.

Required Education & Experience

• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Experience: Up to 6 months of experience working with animals or in a related setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with animals in a veterinary clinic, research facility, zoo, or similar environment.
• Background in animal husbandry and basic animal behavior.
• Experience operating cage‑wash equipment.
• Eligibility for AALAS ALAT certification (preferred but not required).

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work with rodents, USDA‑regulated species, and other animals involved in Temple’s research program.
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs.
• Strong attention to detail, solid organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including familiarity with MS Office and standard office equipment.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays when required