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
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,320
Animal Trainers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,750
Animal Breeders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,000
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,980
Animal Control Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,830
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.