Animal Caretakers

Also called: Aquarist, Dog Groomer, Groomer

Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
KNOWLEDGE

Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Business
  • customer service
  • administrative services
SKILLS

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
ABILITIES

Endurance
  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking
PERSONALITY

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance
TECHNOLOGY

You might use software like this on the job:

Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
  • CEEJS The Pet Groomer's Secretary
  • Microsoft Access
Calendar and scheduling software
  • DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
  • Petschedule
EDUCATION


high school diploma/GED or associate's degree
usually needed
SEARCH ALL PROGRAMS & MAJORS SEARCH COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
JOB OUTLOOK


Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.


Salary:
High: $46,480.00
Median: $33,470.00
Low: $24,500.00
FASTEST GROWING JOBS IN VIRGINIA