24 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually start by feeding and watering animals, checking their enclosures, and adjusting temperature or humidity controls for nurseries or exhibit areas. Expect rounds to monitor behavior and health, clean exhibits, and report any issues to a supervisor or vet.
Afternoons often include grooming or socializing animals, administering medications as directed, answering visitor questions or conducting guided tours, and updating records in Microsoft Excel or Word and Outlook for scheduling.
You’ll use Microsoft Excel to track feeding schedules, medication logs, and inventory, and Word for treatment reports or handouts. Outlook is common for shift scheduling and email with vets or regulatory agencies.
If the facility is a clinic or grooming shop you might see Groom Pro, DaySmart Software/123Pet, or Groom Pro for appointments and billing, and Access for larger databases of animal records.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2025, about 266,910 people worked in this role. The median pay was $35,360 per year, the lowest tenth earned about $27,250, and the top tenth about $50,060. These numbers cover caretakers in shelters, kennels, farms, and exhibits.
Pay varies by location, employer type (zoo vs. private clinic), and extra skills like medicating animals, handling transportation, or running guided tours.
You can often start with on-the-job training; many employers hire candidates with a high school diploma plus experience with animals. Useful study includes basic animal science, first aid for animals, and courses in animal behavior or husbandry.
Certifications in animal handling, vaccination administration, or use of software like DaySmart/123Pet and Groom Pro help. Volunteer at shelters or internships to get hands-on experience and references.
Animal caretakers focus on daily husbandry: feeding, cleaning enclosures, socializing, basic medicating as directed, and maintaining records. They handle the animals’ environment and visitor education rather than medical procedures.
Veterinary technicians perform clinical diagnostic and surgical support tasks under a vet’s supervision and require formal credentials. Groomers specialize in bathing, cutting, and styling pets and often use Groom Pro or similar booking software; caretakers may do basic grooming but not advanced grooming or surgery.
You need safe animal handling and restraint skills, the ability to assess temperament, and following care and safety protocols to prevent bites or escapes. Basic cleaning and disinfecting procedures, including for surgical equipment if used, are essential.
Also be able to read and update records (Excel, Word, Access), follow medication instructions, and communicate clearly with visitors and staff using Outlook or in person.
AI can help draft visitor education materials, standard operating procedures, and simple record templates in Word or Excel. Use it to generate checklists for feeding, cleaning, or temp/humidity settings, then review them against facility rules.
Do not rely on AI for medical advice, diagnosing health problems, or deciding medications and treatments. Always follow a licensed vet’s directions and your facility’s protocols when medicating or reporting health issues.