As an animal caregiver, my daily tasks including cleaning the kennels and the animals as needed. Taking the dogs on walks and socializing them. Checking for any medical or behavioral issues. I also assist in making sure that the animals are fostered and adopted to good homes. As a social media contributor, I'm in charge of creating engaging and insightful content on Instagram that highlights the inner-workings of the animal shelter and highlighting pets so they can be adopted.
CAREER
Animal Caretakers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$26,080
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+22.9% (much faster than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Animal Caretakers Do
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.
Other Job Titles Animal Caretakers May Have
Animal Care Giver (ACG), Aquarist, Dog Bather, Dog Groomer, Groomer, Kennel Attendant, Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech), Pet Groomer, Pet Stylist, Zookeeper
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Basically, my job is to watch animals and let them tell me what they need. The best parts of my day are when I feel like I am making a difference and making sure that the animals have a quality life here. Whether it is helping a keeper make a breakthrough or just watching animals doing what they do. My tasks can vary from observing training sessions, observing the animals behavior in their habitats, teaching classes for keepers, meeting with leadership to pursue conservation projects, and more.
Tasks & Responsibilities May 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Animal Caretakers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Some college, no degree (30%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Kennel Assistant ,
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Veterinary Medicine
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Loving animals is a must. Be a team player. Get experiences wherever you can by volunteering or interning.
This job has a huge apprenticeship culture and the majority of what we do can't be learned in school. Training takes practice---you need to try it, work it, and make mistakes so you learn. You also need to train your observation skills. Watching for subtle behaviors and decoding them takes time to hone.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
You must have passion! The road looks different for every traveler----you must find your own compass! Start early and learn from the animals around you. Start observing animal behavior and volunteering places that will allow you to hone your skills.
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
