Animal Caretakers
Overview
Animal caretakers work hands-on with pets and other animals in shelters, veterinary clinics, kennels, and pet stores to keep them healthy and happy. They handle daily care like feeding, grooming, and exercising animals, while also monitoring their health, administering basic medical treatments, and training them for good behavior. Using modern veterinary equipment and digital record-keeping systems, they track each animal's diet, health condition, and progress. This career involves close collaboration with veterinarians, pet owners, and other animal care professionals in both traditional facilities and modern hybrid work environments.
Did you know?
Animal caretakers in the US often work in physically demanding environments that require lifting heavy supplies, cleaning facilities, and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$31,723.92 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Quality Control Analysis
Key Responsibilities
- Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
- Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
- Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
- Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment, such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.
- Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
- Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.
- Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
- Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.
- Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
- Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.
- Sell pet food and supplies.
- Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
- Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
- Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
- Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
- Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions.
- Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
- Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
- Train animals to perform certain tasks.
Career Considerations
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Animal caretakers in the US often work in physically demanding environments that require lifting heavy supplies, cleaning facilities, and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
Emotional Resilience Requirements
The role frequently involves emotionally challenging situations such as caring for sick or injured animals, witnessing euthanasia procedures, and dealing with animal abandonment cases.
Limited Advancement Without Additional Training
While entry-level positions typically require only a high school diploma, career advancement in American animal care facilities often requires specialized certifications or veterinary assistant training.