Nonfarm Animal Caretakers
SOC: 39-2021.00

Description:

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise care for pets and other nonfarm animals, such as dogs, cats, 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.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
204,800 employed

Projected (2024):
226,400 employed

Projected growth (2014-2024)


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 2014-2024 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Alternate Titles:

  • Animal Care Giver (ACG)
  • Animal Care Service Worker
  • Animal Care Taker
  • Animal Care Technician
  • Animal Caregiver
  • Animal Caretaker
  • Animal Control Officer
  • Animal Daycare Provider
  • Animal Feeder
  • Animal Groomer
  • Animal Handler
  • Animal Health Technician
  • Animal Keeper
  • Animal Laboratory Helper
  • Animal Nursery Worker
  • Animal Rehabilitator
  • Animal Shelter Worker
  • Animal Sitter
  • Aquarist
  • Aquarium Tank Attendant
  • Aviculturist
  • Bather
  • Bird Raiser
  • Bird Tender
  • Canary Raiser
  • Care Taker
  • Caretaker
  • Cat and Dog Bather
  • Cat Sitter
  • Cat, Dog, or Other Pet Groomer
  • Dog Barber
  • Dog Bather
  • Dog Beautician
  • Dog Boarder
  • Dog Groomer
  • Dog Hair Clipper
  • Dog or Animal Sitter
  • Dog Pound Attendant
  • Dog Raiser
  • Dog Sitter
  • Dog Walker
  • Doggy Daycare Activities Director
  • Farrier
  • Groomer
  • Grooming Assistant
  • Herpetologist
  • Horse Exerciser
  • Horse Groomer
  • Horse Rider
  • Horse Shoer
  • Horseshoer
  • Hostler
  • Hot Walker
  • Keeper
  • Kennel Aide
  • Kennel Assistant
  • Kennel Attendant
  • Kennel Helper
  • Kennel Keeper
  • Kennel Manager
  • Kennel Operator
  • Kennel Supervisor
  • Kennel Technician
  • Kennel Worker
  • Lead Pony Rider
  • Mice Raiser
  • Mobile Pet Groomer
  • Monkey Keeper
  • Natural Science Curator
  • Nonfarm Animal Caretaker
  • Parakeet Raiser
  • Pet Adoption Counselor
  • Pet Care Assistant
  • Pet Care Associate
  • Pet Care Worker
  • Pet Caretaker
  • Pet Feeder
  • Pet Groomer
  • Pet Resort Concierge
  • Pet Sitter
  • Pet Stylist
  • Plater
  • Pound Attendant
  • Pound Keeper
  • Poundmaster
  • Reptile Keeper
  • Ringman
  • Stable Attendant
  • Stable Cleaner
  • Stable Hand
  • Stable Helper
  • Stock Feeder
  • Veterinary Technician
  • Walker
  • Wild Animal Caretaker
  • Wildlife Rehabilitator
  • Zoo Caretaker
  • Zoo Keeper
  • Zookeeper

    • Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

    Experience:

    Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

    Education:

    Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

    Job Training:

    Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

    Required Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Instructing
  • Service Orientation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Technology Design
  • Equipment Selection
  • Installation
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Time Management
  • Management of Financial Resources
  • Management of Material Resources
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    • Knowledge Used:

  • Administration and Management
  • Clerical
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Psychology
  • Geography
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Telecommunications
  • Communications and Media
  • Transportation

    • Tasks:

  • Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
  • Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
  • Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
  • Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
  • Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
  • Collect and record animal information such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
  • Perform animal grooming duties such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
  • Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
  • Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
  • Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
  • Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
  • Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
  • Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.
  • Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
  • Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
  • Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions.
  • Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.
  • Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.
  • Train animals to perform certain tasks.
  • Sell pet food and supplies.
  • Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.

    • Tools & Technology:

  • 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
  • Aquarium lighting
  • Aquarium pumps
  • Aquarium tongs
  • Aquarium ultraviolet UV sterilizers
  • Benchtop electronic toploading balances
  • Binocular light compound microscopes
  • Blow dryers
  • Carbonate hardness test kits
  • Cat grooming bags
  • Coat strippers
  • Cordless animal trimmers
  • Digital oxidation reduction potential ORP meters
  • Eye droppers
  • Fish tanks
  • General hardness GH test kits
  • Grooming combs
  • Grooming rakes
  • Grooming shears
  • Grooming tables
  • Handheld digital refractometers
  • Hydraulic bucket lifts
  • Inflatable rubber motor boats
  • Mat breakers
  • Nitrate test kits
  • Nitrite test kits
  • Personal computers
  • Pet bathing brushes
  • pH test kits
  • pH testers
  • Pin brushes
  • Portable dissolved oxygen DO meters
  • Pressure sprayers
  • Protein skimmers
  • Scaffolding
  • Scissor lifts
  • Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus SCUBA gear
  • Shedding blades
  • Siphon hoses
  • Slicker brushes
  • Slings
  • Spear guns
  • Stepladders
  • Underwater cameras
  • Wheeled forklifts
  • Appointment-Plus
  • CEEJS The Pet Groomer's Secretary
  • DaySmart Software 123Pet
  • Envision Pet Grooming Software
  • Groom Pro
  • Groomsoft
  • K9 Bytes K9 Koordinator
  • Kennel Link
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Mobile Dog Grooming Software mGroomer
  • Petschedule
  • The Groomer's Write Hand

    • personal care and service

    industry stats

    SOC: 39-0000

    Total Employed: 4,307,500

    Average Annual Salary: $25,650