Animal Caretakers - MehtA+ Tutoring

Career Overview

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.

Also Known As

Aquarist
Dog Groomer
Groomer
Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech)

Alternate Job Titles

Animal Care Attendant
Animal Care Giver (ACG)
Animal Care Service Worker
Animal Care Specialist
Animal Care Taker
Animal Care Technician
Animal Caregiver
Animal Caretaker
Animal Daycare Provider
Animal Feeder
Animal Groomer
Animal Handler
Animal Health Technician
Animal Keeper
Animal Nursery Worker

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

Scuba dive in aquariums to perform exhibit maintenance.
Train volunteers and facility staff.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Customer and Personal Service

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Oral Comprehension
Information Ordering
Oral Expression
Near Vision
Problem Sensitivity
Static Strength
Speech Recognition
Trunk Strength
Speech Clarity
Inductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Dependability
Cooperation
Attention to Detail
Sincerity
Optimism

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Relationships
Support
Independence
Achievement
Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Access
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Air purifying respirators
Algae scrapers
Ammonia test kits
Animal cages
Animal clippers
Animal crates
Animal handling gloves
Animal handling sleeves
Animal harnesses
Animal muzzles
Animal nail clippers
Animal nail files
Animal nail grinders
Aquarium filters
Aquarium heaters

Work Environment

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Contact With Others
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$24,500
Median	$33,470
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$46,480

Workers Employed Nationally: 277,300