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
Clean animal areas and enclosures
+Clean all animal rooms, remove waste, replace bedding, scrub feeding bowls and waterers, disinfect enclosures…
Clean animal areas and enclosures
+Clean all animal rooms, remove waste, replace bedding, scrub feeding bowls and waterers, disinfect enclosures used by dogs, cats and rabbits, and log completion in the care record before leaving at 18:00 today.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123PetESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Educate visitors about animals
+Give the weekend group talk at 14:00 on guinea pig nutrition and safe handling, answer visitor questions,…
Educate visitors about animals
+Give the weekend group talk at 14:00 on guinea pig nutrition and safe handling, answer visitor questions, demonstrate calm approach techniques, and update the visitor feedback sheet after the session.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptions
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Feed and water animals
+Follow Amina's care notes: feed two adult golden retrievers at 8am and 6pm with 1 cup each, refresh water…
Feed and water animals
+Follow Amina's care notes: feed two adult golden retrievers at 8am and 6pm with 1 cup each, refresh water twice daily, record appetite and any stool changes, and text the owner a midday update.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123PetESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Make1
Socialize and groom animals
+Spend thirty minutes socializing shy dogs and cats, brush and comb coats, clip nails where needed, check for…
Socialize and groom animals
+Spend thirty minutes socializing shy dogs and cats, brush and comb coats, clip nails where needed, check for skin issues, and note temperament or grooming needs in the pet profile after each session.
The tools that do the workGroom Projob descriptionsO*NET
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Move1
Assist with animal transportation
+Assist with the 09:00 transport to Dr. Morales by securing carriers, double-checking enclosure locks, loading…
Assist with animal transportation
+Assist with the 09:00 transport to Dr. Morales by securing carriers, double-checking enclosure locks, loading animals safely into the van with a second handler, and tick items off the transport checklist when complete.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software Appointment-Plusjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Perform animal husbandry duties (feeding, watering, medicating, vaccinating)
+Feed and water all daily wards on the morning rota, administer scheduled oral meds to Leo and Bella, record…
Perform animal husbandry duties (feeding, watering, medicating, vaccinating)
+Feed and water all daily wards on the morning rota, administer scheduled oral meds to Leo and Bella, record quantities and any refusal in the medication log, and flag any adverse reactions immediately.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work17
Answer questions
+Answer the client's questions about Bella the lab mix: confirm feeding amounts and schedule, explain how I…
Answer questions
+Answer the client's questions about Bella the lab mix: confirm feeding amounts and schedule, explain how I handle her anxiety on walks, list vaccination and medication checks I performed today, and say when I can bring her favorite toy back; send this as one clear message to Claire by tonight.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123PetESCO
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Monitor animal health and behavior
+Walk each assigned animal at 08:00 and 16:00 today, record appetite, stool, activity level and any wounds in…
Monitor animal health and behavior
+Walk each assigned animal at 08:00 and 16:00 today, record appetite, stool, activity level and any wounds in the daily log, flag any abnormal signs to Maria the lead and photograph any new lesions before feeding.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Handle animals with care and safety protocols
+Handle the terrariums and dog walks using two-person lifts for heavy animals, keep muzzles and gloves ready,…
Handle animals with care and safety protocols
+Handle the terrariums and dog walks using two-person lifts for heavy animals, keep muzzles and gloves ready, follow the facility emergency leash protocol if an animal bolts, and note every restraint used in the shift notes for supervisor review.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Medicate animals as directed
+Administer medications exactly to the schedule on the medication chart at 09:00 and 21:00, double-check the…
Medicate animals as directed
+Administer medications exactly to the schedule on the medication chart at 09:00 and 21:00, double-check the drug, dose and animal ID with another sitter, initial the chart, and alert Dr. Singh immediately if the animal vomits within 30 minutes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Clean the exhibits
+Clean each exhibit after the morning rounds: remove soiled bedding, disinfect food areas with…
Clean the exhibits
+Clean each exhibit after the morning rounds: remove soiled bedding, disinfect food areas with facility-approved solution, sweep and replace fresh substrate, then sign and time the cleaning checklist so supervisors know it was done.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptions
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Report possible health problems
+If you see lethargy, open-mouth breathing, discharge, abnormal droppings or loss of appetite, photograph the…
Report possible health problems
+If you see lethargy, open-mouth breathing, discharge, abnormal droppings or loss of appetite, photograph the animal, log the signs with time and recent feeds, call the on-call vet and email the duty manager a concise incident summary within 15 minutes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCOjob descriptions
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Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
+Answer patrons at the main desk: explain current behaviours, habitat needs and breeding seasons for the…
Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
+Answer patrons at the main desk: explain current behaviours, habitat needs and breeding seasons for the animals on display, hand out the printed species fact sheet, and log any visitor concerns or unusual questions for the education coordinator.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
+Gather the used surgical instruments, don PPE, pre-rinse and ultrasonic clean per clinic protocol, inspect…
Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.
+Gather the used surgical instruments, don PPE, pre-rinse and ultrasonic clean per clinic protocol, inspect each tool for damage, then run the sterilisation cycle and log completion in the equipment record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
+Compile profiles and photos for the three recovered strays, write honest behaviour notes and vaccination…
Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.
+Compile profiles and photos for the three recovered strays, write honest behaviour notes and vaccination status, post them to the shelter listings and contact two rescue partners to arrange intake this week.
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 thermostats and humidistat readings, adjust settings to 75°F and 50 percent humidity for…
Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
+Check the nursery thermostats and humidistat readings, adjust settings to 75°F and 50 percent humidity for the kittens, log the change and set a follow-up check in two hours to confirm stability.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Sell pet food and supplies.
+Ring the supplier to confirm current stock and case prices for puppy food and litter, update the store price…
Sell pet food and supplies.
+Ring the supplier to confirm current stock and case prices for puppy food and litter, update the store price list, and prepare a recommended reorder for items under two weeks of stock to present at tomorrow's inventory meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Assess animal temperament
+Meet Oscar, the two-year-old Labrador, in the backyard at 9 a.m., run a five-minute leash and recall test,…
Assess animal temperament
+Meet Oscar, the two-year-old Labrador, in the backyard at 9 a.m., run a five-minute leash and recall test, offer a treat, record reactions to strangers, children, and other dogs, and flag any fear or aggression before I accept the booking.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Administer medications and treatments
+Give Bella her morning insulin dose at 7 a.m., confirm syringe and dose against the medication log, hold her…
Administer medications and treatments
+Give Bella her morning insulin dose at 7 a.m., confirm syringe and dose against the medication log, hold her secure under the scruff, administer subcutaneously, watch for adverse reaction for 30 minutes, then update the client medication record.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software 123Petjob descriptions
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Maintain farm records and documentation
+Walk the hen coops and goat pens at 4 p.m., count animals, record feed delivered and any treatments given in…
Maintain farm records and documentation
+Walk the hen coops and goat pens at 4 p.m., count animals, record feed delivered and any treatments given in the farm ledger, photograph any wounds, and save the daily report to the herd records for the owner to review tonight.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Coordinate with personnel and regulatory agencies
+Email the county animal control officer and the owner with the incident report, include photos, list…
Coordinate with personnel and regulatory agencies
+Email the county animal control officer and the owner with the incident report, include photos, list vaccinations and identification numbers, request a follow-up inspection within 48 hours, and copy the shelter liaison so everyone knows next steps.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Develop and adhere to operational budgets
+Build a three-month operations budget for weekend care: list staff hours, feed and bedding costs, transport…
Develop and adhere to operational budgets
+Build a three-month operations budget for weekend care: list staff hours, feed and bedding costs, transport fuel, and emergency fund, then show breakeven bookings per weekend and send the budget to Sarah, our owner, by Friday for approval.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Conduct guided tours
+Run a 45-minute guided meet-and-greet tour at 11 a.m. for two families, introduce species, explain safety…
Conduct guided tours
+Run a 45-minute guided meet-and-greet tour at 11 a.m. for two families, introduce species, explain safety rules, allow supervised petting of calm animals, note any children’s allergies, and email the booking contact a follow-up care sheet.
The tools that do the workDaySmart Software Appointment-PlusESCO
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Says who?
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The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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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