Animal Caretaker
Work Activities
Feed and water animals according to schedules and instructions.
Mix food, formulas, and supplements, following instructions and using knowledge of animal diets.
Order, unload, and store food and supplies.
Wash, brush, clip, trim, and groom animals.
Exercise animals, play with them, and train them.
Observe animals for signs of injury or illness.
Record information such as weight, size, physical condition, diet, and food intake.
Clean and disinfect pens, stables, cages, yards, and equipment.
Repair fences, cages, or pens.
May answer phones and schedule appointments.
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Perform for or work with the public
Working Conditions
Interpersonal Relationships
Have a medium to high level of social interaction with pet owners and other workers.
Communicate daily with others by telephone and in person.
Often work as part of a team.
Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of other workers and animals.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other workers.
Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which customers or animals are difficult to deal with.
Physical Work Conditions
Sometimes work outdoors when exercising, animals.
Usually work indoors when feeding animals and cleaning their pens, stalls, cages, or other shelter. Animal groomers may work inside when drying, fluffing, or combing animals.
Are sometimes exposed to toxic chemicals in cleansers and medications. Are often exposed to animal waste.
Are occasionally exposed to hazards such as animal bites, cuts, or needle punctures.
Are exposed on a weekly basis to uncomfortable sounds and noises, such as barking, howling, or crying animals.
Work near other animals and workers.
Work Performance
Must take care to finish all details and tasks of their job. Leaving steps out may harm animals or people.
Must be exact and accurate with animal diets, controlled temperatures and humidity, and other features of animal care. Errors can be harmful.
Repeat the same physical and mental tasks throughout the day.
Hours
Will work full time on a varying schedule based on number and needs of workers and animals being cared for.
Interpersonal Relationships
Have a medium to high level of social interaction with owners and other workers.
Communicate daily with others by telephone and in person.
Often work as part of a team.
Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of other workers and animals.
Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which customers or animals are difficult to deal with.
Physical Demand
Animal caretakers frequently:
Stand for long periods of time.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Repeat the same movements.
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Bend or twist their body.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Skills and Abilities
Communicate
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Understand spoken information.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Reason and Problem Solve
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Manage Oneself, People, Time, and Things
Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Work with People
Look for ways to help people.
Knowledge
Animal caretakers need knowledge in the following areas:
Customer and Personal Service: Providing special services to customers based on their needs.
Interests and Values
Animal caretakers typically have the following interests:
Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Values
Animal caretakers typically have the following work values:
Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.