Animal Care and Service Workers
Animal lovers abound. They gain great satisfaction from working in animal care and service. Individuals looking to work in this field can seek employment in zoos, stables, laboratories, aquariums, veterinarian hospitals, or shelters.
Career Opportunities
A variety of opportunities are available to animal care and service workers. One option is to work as a kennel attendant. Kennel attendants care for pets whose owners are out of town. Responsibilities include cleaning cages, bathing and feeding animals, and exercising the animals. Pet groomers specialize in maintaining a pet’s appearance. Often, they are the first to spot any health problems, such as rashes or ear infections. Some groomers own their own businesses. However, the majority work in kennels, pet stores, veterinarian offices, or animal shelters. Job responsibilities include brushing and clipping of a pet’s hair or fur, trimming nails, cleaning the ears, bathing, and styling. Some animal care workers are employed in animal shelters. Part of the job is educating the public on neutering and other health issues. They feed and care for the shelter animals, vaccinate when necessary, and euthanize sick or unwanted animals. Administrative duties include record keeping of discharged animals, answering phones, and handling animal adoptions. Animal care and service workers employed by a zoo are referred to as keepers. This is a very popular field and competition can be intense. Zookeepers have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of animals. Keepers determine and prepare appropriate diets and monitor eating habits. They meticulously record all observations – eating habits, behaviors, signs of illness, and growth. Often, keepers inform visitors about the animals and answer any questions. Animal training is also a popular career. Trainers may work in circuses or marine parks. Several techniques are used to train animals to respond to voice commands. The training process can take several months to several years to achieve success. Like zookeepers, trainers also inform visitors about the animals and plan dietary needs.
Necessary Qualifications
Animal care and service workers who are employed in shelters, kennels, or veterinary hospitals only need a high school diploma. Training is typically done on the job. Groomers typically work with a mentor for several months to learn the trade. Several grooming schools are available across the country, as well. Zookeepers and animal trainers require a bachelor’s degree in biology, marine biology, animal science or some other related field. Other skills are also necessary depending on the job. For instance, marine mammal trainers must be scuba certified and excellent swimmers. Animal care and service workers should demonstrate patience. Often, the work can be unpleasant (when cleaning out cages), emotionally draining (when performing a euthanization), or physically stressful (holding large animals or lifting heavy cages). A true love of animals will make this work a little more agreeable.
Hourly Earnings and Advancement
Hourly wages for animal care and service workers range between $6.50 and $14.00. Animal trainers can earn up to $21.00 per hour. Those in animal care should expect to work about forty hours per week, including nights and weekends. Most workers begin in an entry-level position. Advancement is limited. Zookeepers are often promoted to senior keepers, assistant head keeper, head keeper, then to curator. However, these openings are far and few between. Animal care workers in animal shelters might advance to become rescue drivers, adoption coordinators, or shelter managers.
*This is a summarized article created to allow for a quick career review. For the most accurate and up-to-date information visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor website to learn more about Animal Care and Service Workers.
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copyright 2005
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