Animal Caretakers
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
- Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
- Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
- Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
- Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
- 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.
- Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
- Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
- Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
- Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.
- Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
- Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
- Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions.
- Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.
- Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment, such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.
- Train animals to perform certain tasks.
- Sell pet food and supplies.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
