Keyword(s): "6483"
Animal care workers feed, handle, train and groom animals and assist veterinarians, animal health technologists and technicians and animal breeders. Pet groomers clip coats, bathe and otherwise groom pets. Workers in this group are employed by animal hospitals and clinics, animal shelters, breeding and boarding kennels, zoos, laboratories, retail pet shops, dog training schools, pet grooming establishments, or may be self-employed.
Example Titles
animal care worker (except farm)
dog groomer
dog trainer
kennel attendant
laboratory animal attendant
pet groomer
pound attendant
veterinary attendant
zoo attendant
View all titlesMain duties
Workers in this group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare food and feed animals, fish or birds at scheduled intervals
- Clean and disinfect cages, pens and surrounding areas
- Shampoo, clip and groom animals
- Assist veterinarians and animal health technologists and technicians to inoculate and treat animals
- Assist animal breeders to handle and nurture animals
- Assist scientists and researchers in conducting laboratory tests with animals
- Monitor and document animal behaviour
- Train dogs to obey commands and perform specific duties in response to signals.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Depending on the type of work performed, training courses in animal handling, grooming or dog training are usually required. Animal health or veterinary assistant college courses may be required for animal care workers.
Additional information
- Progression to animal health technology occupations is possible with additional training.
Classified elsewhere
- Animal nutritionists
(in
2121 Biologists and Related Scientists)
- Horseshoers
(in
7383 Other Trades and Related Occupations)
- Horse trainers
(in
8253 Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers)
- Marine mammal trainers
(in
2121 Biologists and Related Scientists)
- Sheep shearers
(in
8431 General Farm Workers)
- Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians
(3213)