Description
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, race horses, 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.
Interests
- Realistic
- Social
- Conventional
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Self-Control
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
Tasks
- 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.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Handling and Moving Objects
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Presentation software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- English Language
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified Journeyman Farriers - Forging EndorsementCertifying Organization
American Farrier's Association
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
NACA ACO IICertifying Organization
National Animal Care and Control Association
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Professional Pet SitterCertifying Organization
Pet Sitters International
Type
Core
Certificate name
National Certified Master GroomerCertifying Organization
National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc.
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $24,321 |
| Median (50%) | $33,151 |
| High (90%) | $56,630 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $37,410 |
| Mid Level | $57,981 |
| Senior Level | $68,831 |
| Expert Level | $51,614 |
Employability
There are currently 364,600 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 425,200 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 17%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 17%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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