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Animal Caretakers
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Animal Caretaker

Animal caretakers provide care for animals in zoos, aquariums, wildlife centers, and other animal care facilities
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Animal Caretaker
Animals Reuniting!
Animal Caretaker: Day in the Life
What does animal poop tell you?
First day as an animal caretaker!
Another Day at the Animal Sanctuary
How animal caretakers in Ukraine are helping
Another day in the life of an animal caretaker!
Do you love animals and everything about them? Turn your passion into an amazing career.
Why Should You Consider This Career?

Work with amazing animals and pets, Work both indoors and outdoors, Learn an in-demand and growing field

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Animal Care Giver (ACG), Aquarist, Dog Bather, Dog Groomer, Groomer, Kennel Attendant, Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech), Pet Groomer, Pet Stylist, Zookeeper
At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
This is some text inside of a div block.
AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Animal Care Giver (ACG), Aquarist, Dog Bather, Dog Groomer, Groomer, Kennel Attendant, Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech), Pet Groomer, Pet Stylist, Zookeeper
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • 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.
  • Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
  • Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
  • Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

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$
19.33
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Care for animals.
  • Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
  • Monitor health or behavior of people or animals.
  • Prepare foods or meals.
  • Maintain facilities.
  • Clean facilities or work areas.
  • Perform housekeeping duties.
  • Document client health or progress.
  • Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
  • Monitor patron activities to identify problems or potential problems.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 80/100

  • Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. 53/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 52/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 41/100

  • Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 39/100

  • Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. 38/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 36/100

  • Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 36/100

  • Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. 35/100

  • Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. 35/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Pet grooming products
  • Water testing and sampling kits
  • Veterinary nail trimmers or cutters
  • Electric hair clipper
  • Laboratory ultraviolet UV sterilizers
  • Water pumps
  • Muzzles
  • Electronic toploading balances
  • Ladders
  • Cages or its accessories
  • Dissolved oxygen meters
  • Oxidation reduction tester
  • Respirators
  • Compressed air gun
  • Water filters
  • Kennels
  • Aquariums
  • Cleaning scrapers
  • Dosing droppers
  • Forklifts
  • pH meters
  • Domestic hair dryers
  • Articulating boom lift
  • Handheld refractometers or polarimeters
  • Tongs
  • Diving instruments or accessories
  • Protective gloves
  • Water purification equipment
  • Pressure or steam cleaners
  • Immersion heaters
  • Shears
  • Underwater lighting
  • Inflatable rubber boat
  • Safety sleeves
  • Special hoses
  • Scissor lift or lift table
  • Harnesses or its accessories
  • Slings
  • Scaffolding
  • Underwater cameras
  • Personal computers
  • Binocular light compound microscopes
No items found.
Related Careers Icon

Helpful Career Links

American Association of Zoo Keepers
American Fisheries Society
American Kennel Club
American Paint Horse Association
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
International Horsemanship Association
International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
National Dog Groomers Association of America
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Animal care and service workers

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