Information About Animal Caretakers

Animal caretakers are often involved in obedience training of companion animals.

Animal caretakers tend to the needs of animals in a variety of settings and may also be called animal attendants, animal care technicians or animal keepers. Not only are animal caretakers responsible for feeding and grooming animals, they also may play with animals, observe animal behavior and provide companionship.

Statistics

Fish require a great amount of care and attention.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a non-farm animal caretaker is one responsible for feeding, watering, grooming, bathing, exercising or otherwise caring for pets and other non-farm animals. The median income for a non-farm animal caretaker in 2008 was $19,360.00 with approximately 140,000 jobs in the field. Non-farm animals include dogs, cats, fish, mice and zoo animals. A non-farm animal caretaker works in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, stables, grooming salons, zoos, circuses and aquariums.

Work Environment

Animal caretakers may be responsible for cleaning up after animals.

Those who love animals truly feel a sense of satisfaction from helping them. While the work can be quite rewarding, working conditions may not always be pleasant and can be demanding or even dangerous. Caretakers are responsible for lifting, holding or restraining animals and their work involves frequent kneeling, bending and crawling. Precautions must be taken to minimize risk of bites or scratches from scared or violent animals. In this field, there is also a need for caretakers to assist in euthanization of unwanted, aged or hopelessly injured animals. Caretakers must maintain a calm and professional demeanor despite the often unpleasant conditions in which they work.

Kennel Caretakers

Kennel caretakers make sure animals are regularly exercised.

Caretakers in kennels or clinics often assist in breeding, vaccinating, testing and training of animals. Kennel caretakers usually care for companion animals, such as cats and dogs, performing tasks such as cleaning cages, feeding and exercising. They may also bathe and groom animals.

Grooming Caretakers

Grooming is important to the health of any animal.

Animal caretakers specializing in grooming can work in kennels, clinics, shelters, pet supply stores or grooming businesses. In addition to caring for animals, a groomer also may answer telephones, schedule appointments, discuss grooming needs with pet owners and record information regarding a pet's disposition for its veterinarian or trainer.

Shelter Caretakers

Shelter caretakers may be heavily involved in educating the public.

Animal caretakers in animal shelters perform various duties beyond working with the animals, such as keeping records. Shelter caretakers also interact with the public, screen applicants for animal adoption, answer telephones, educate shelter visitors on the importance of animal health and neutering, and provide treatment to animals.

Stable Caretakers

Keeping tack clean is part of a stable caretaker's duty.

Stable caretakers often are called grooms. Grooms are responsible for saddling and unsaddling horses, rubbing them down and cooling them off after rides, and feeding, grooming and often exercising horses. Daily responsibilities also include mucking stalls, polishing saddles, organizing the tack area and replenishing feed. More experienced grooms may assist in horse training as well.

Training

The majority of animal caretaker jobs require little more than on-the-job training. Employers typically hire people with previous animal experience; however, most do not require any formal education. Individuals with a desire to work toward a higher-paying career in the animal care field, such as veterinary science or professional trainer, can use an animal caretaker position as an introductory stepping stone. If desired, career training for animal caretaker positions do exist, as well as seminars and workshops that offer certifications in animal care specialties.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Non-Farm Animal Caretakers
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Animal Care and Service Workers