Animal Caretakers
Animal caretakers 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, racehorses, and ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. They work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. They keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged and clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.
Animal caretakers love animals and take care of them.
There is no formal education required to apply for an animal caretaker job in India, although a high school diploma may be needed for an entry-level laboratory caretaker career. Most pet groomers learn by completing an informal on-the-job apprenticeship. Few colleges and vocational schools offer programs in laboratory animal science, needed for supervisory or managerial positions.
Jobs for animal caretakers are found in kennels, stables, shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos and circuses. To be eligible for an animal caretaker salary, one needs to perform tasks like walking, lifting, carrying, and stooping. Caretakers must have the patience to endure inevitable bites and scratches from animals. They need some strength to sometimes carry heavy animals and should be able to stand animal odours. Witnessing abused animals or having to put to death old or sick animals can be emotionally stressful. Most people in the profession love animals and receive great satisfaction from helping and working with them.
To be successful in the role of an animal caretaker, good working knowledge of the care needs of the creatures you are working with is required.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- ITI Course Dairying
- NSQF Level 3 Animal Health Worker
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.
Progression Routes
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