Animal Caretakers

Animal caretakers, as the name implies, take care of animals. The job ranges from the day-to-day normal activities for a healthy animal to caring for sick, injured, or aging animals. The daily animal caretaking routine usually involves feeding and providing drinking water for each animal, making sure that their enclosure is clean, safe, appropriately warm, and, if needed, stocked with materials to keep the animal active and engaged. Caretakers may be responsible for creating different enrichment materials so that the animal is challenged by new objects and activities. They may exercise or train the animals. They may assist veterinarians or other trained medical staff in working with animals that require treatment. Animal caretakers may also maintain the written or digital records for each animal. These records can include weight, eating habits, behavior, medicines given, or treatment given. There are approximately 268,830 nonfarm animal caretakers and 115,770 veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Salary Range

Below $25,000 to $50,000

Minimum Education Level

Associate's Degree

Certification/License

Recommended

Outlook

Much Faster than the Average

Personality Traits

Conventional

Hands On

Helpful

Career Ladder

Facility Manager

Assistant Facility Manager

Senior Caretaker

Animal Caretaker

Intern or Assistant Caretaker