What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Animal Caretakers in the U.S. earn more than $35,360 a year — the middle 80% land between $27,250 and $50,060. About 266,910 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Animal Caretakers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$35,360typical pay / year
266,910people in this work
$50,060+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Care3
Feed and water animals
+Feed and water the boarding dogs and cats in Kennel B and Cat Room 2 this morning: follow each animal's…
Feed and water animals
+Feed and water the boarding dogs and cats in Kennel B and Cat Room 2 this morning: follow each animal's dietary notes, record portions and times on the client list, and notify Sarah if any animal refuses food.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123PetESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Clean animal areas and enclosures
+Deep-clean all kennels, play yards and cat enclosures in the back wing after the morning shift: remove…
Clean animal areas and enclosures
+Deep-clean all kennels, play yards and cat enclosures in the back wing after the morning shift: remove bedding, disinfect floors and walls, replace fresh bedding, and log completed rooms on the cleaning checklist before lunch.
The tools that do the workGroom ProESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Educate visitors about animals
+Prepare a one-page visitor briefing for the weekend front-desk that explains basic animal handling…
Educate visitors about animals
+Prepare a one-page visitor briefing for the weekend front-desk that explains basic animal handling boundaries, feeding restrictions, signs of distress in juveniles, and whom to call for welfare concerns, print fifty copies and email the digital file to the reception team by Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptions
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Move1
Assist with animal transportation
+Assist with transporting the rabbit trio to Dr. Patel's clinic at 2pm: crate them securely, pack their…
Assist with animal transportation
+Assist with transporting the rabbit trio to Dr. Patel's clinic at 2pm: crate them securely, pack their medical records and food, drive with two staff, hand over to the vet, and confirm return time with front desk.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software Appointment-Plusjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Perform animal husbandry duties (feeding, watering, medicating, vaccinating)
+Administer morning feed, water, prescribed meds and scheduled vaccines to the boarding animals listed on the…
Perform animal husbandry duties (feeding, watering, medicating, vaccinating)
+Administer morning feed, water, prescribed meds and scheduled vaccines to the boarding animals listed on the whiteboard: follow doses on each chart, initial the log after each task, and escalate any adverse reactions to the manager immediately.
The tools that do the workCEEJS The Pet Groomer's Secretaryjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work17
Monitor animal health and behavior
+Walk the floor during the morning shift, note each animal's appetite, coat condition, mobility and behavior,…
Monitor animal health and behavior
+Walk the floor during the morning shift, note each animal's appetite, coat condition, mobility and behavior, record any abnormalities in the daily health log and flag anything urgent to Dr. Morales by noon.
The tools that do the workGroom Projob descriptionsO*NET
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Handle animals with care and safety protocols
+Approach each animal calmly using the approved handling loop, use muzzles or restraint boards only when…
Handle animals with care and safety protocols
+Approach each animal calmly using the approved handling loop, use muzzles or restraint boards only when needed, perform the handling steps described in the safety checklist, and log any incidents and who assisted before leaving the station.
The tools that do the workGroomsoftjob descriptionsO*NET
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Medicate animals as directed
+Administer scheduled medications to Ruby and Max exactly as written on their treatment sheets, confirm doses…
Medicate animals as directed
+Administer scheduled medications to Ruby and Max exactly as written on their treatment sheets, confirm doses and times on the medication log, photograph the labeled meds before giving them and notify the supervising vet if either refuses or shows a reaction.
The tools that do the workEnvision Pet Groomingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Clean the exhibits
+Clean all grooming areas and kennels after each use: remove hair, disinfect surfaces with the approved…
Clean the exhibits
+Clean all grooming areas and kennels after each use: remove hair, disinfect surfaces with the approved solution, restock clean towels and record completion and any damaged equipment on the end-of-day checklist.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123PetESCOjob descriptions
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Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
+At the information desk between shifts, answer patron questions about grooming schedules, explain normal…
Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
+At the information desk between shifts, answer patron questions about grooming schedules, explain normal versus concerning behaviors, give feeding and enrichment guidance for juveniles, and email any detailed follow-ups to events@ourfacility.org.
The tools that do the workCEEJS The Pet Groomer's SecretaryO*NET
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Answer questions
+Answer the client questions in the inbox about Bella the golden retriever’s haircut, explain the…
Answer questions
+Answer the client questions in the inbox about Bella the golden retriever’s haircut, explain the breed-appropriate trim options, list available slots this week, confirm transport can be arranged Tuesday morning, and close with the estimated price and cancellation policy.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software Appointment-PlusESCO
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Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
+Answer the phone when it rings, confirm the caller is Sarah or a listed emergency contact, check the calendar…
Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
+Answer the phone when it rings, confirm the caller is Sarah or a listed emergency contact, check the calendar for an open slot this week, and book a 45-minute bath-and-trim with deposit taken by end of call.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123PetO*NET
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Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
+Talk with Marco about Bruno’s matting, probe his brushing routine and any skin allergies, recommend a…
Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.
+Talk with Marco about Bruno’s matting, probe his brushing routine and any skin allergies, recommend a de-shedding plus full sanitary trim, agree a price and a two-week follow-up, and record preferences on the pet file.
The tools that do the workGroom ProO*NET
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Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
+Assemble the instruments, don gloves and eye protection, scrub each tool with enzymatic detergent, rinse,…
Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
+Assemble the instruments, don gloves and eye protection, scrub each tool with enzymatic detergent, rinse, then run a validated high-heat sterilising cycle and log the lot number and operator initials in the maintenance record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
+Photograph the strays, write short bios including temperament and vaccination status, post them to the local…
Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
+Photograph the strays, write short bios including temperament and vaccination status, post them to the local rescue network and our shop’s adoption board, and schedule meet-and-greet slots for interested adopters this weekend.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
+Check the nursery log for target setpoints, adjust the heater and humidifier to 22°C and 55% relative…
Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
+Check the nursery log for target setpoints, adjust the heater and humidifier to 22°C and 55% relative humidity, note the change in the environmental log and monitor temperatures hourly for the next eight hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Sell pet food and supplies.
+Ask each customer about brand and dietary needs, recommend the correct bag size and any supplements, apply a…
Sell pet food and supplies.
+Ask each customer about brand and dietary needs, recommend the correct bag size and any supplements, apply a loyalty discount when eligible, total the items, and complete the sale taking the customer’s chosen payment method.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software Appointment-PlusO*NET
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Assess animal temperament
+Assess Daisy the golden retriever's temperament before the bath: observe her body language for five minutes,…
Assess animal temperament
+Assess Daisy the golden retriever's temperament before the bath: observe her body language for five minutes, record reactivity to touch, note any handler warnings, flag dogs needing muzzles or separate station, then update the animal file and advise the owner.
The tools that do the workGroom Projob descriptions
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Administer medications and treatments
+Give Luna her prescribed topical flea treatment and oral antibiotic dose, double-check the vet's…
Administer medications and treatments
+Give Luna her prescribed topical flea treatment and oral antibiotic dose, double-check the vet's instructions, record medication name, lot and dose in the treatment log, get the owner's signature on the consent form, and schedule a follow-up check in seven days.
The tools that do the workGroomsoftjob descriptions
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Maintain farm records and documentation
+Update the farm's animal records with today's services: add each animal's weight, vaccinations given,…
Maintain farm records and documentation
+Update the farm's animal records with today's services: add each animal's weight, vaccinations given, grooming services performed, and any noted health issues, then export a printable summary for the weekend vet visit.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Develop and adhere to operational budgets
+Review last quarter's grooming spend, set limits for shampoos, clippers and emergency vet reserve, produce a…
Develop and adhere to operational budgets
+Review last quarter's grooming spend, set limits for shampoos, clippers and emergency vet reserve, produce a monthly operational budget that keeps labor under 65 percent of revenue, then circulate the budget to management for approval by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Conduct guided tours
+Lead the Saturday morning tour for new puppy owners: introduce hygiene rules, demonstrate safe handling and…
Conduct guided tours
+Lead the Saturday morning tour for new puppy owners: introduce hygiene rules, demonstrate safe handling and brushing on a calm dog, point out nutrition and welfare posters, answer questions for twenty minutes, and hand out care checklists.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointESCO
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses