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What does an Animal Caregiver do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

An animal caregiver is someone who provides care for animals. This can include feeding, watering, exercising, and cleaning up after them. They may also provide medical care and assistance with grooming.

Animal Caregiver job duties include:

  • Feeding and watering animals
  • Cleaning stalls, pens, cages, and other living areas
  • Exercising and socializing animals
  • Monitoring animal health and well-being
  • Administering medication and vaccinations
  • Caring for sick or injured animals
  • Grooming animals
  • Transporting animals to veterinary appointments or other destinations
  • Record keeping

Animal Caregiver Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for animal caregivers, although some employers may prefer candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent. There are also no specific certification or licensing requirements, although some employers may prefer or require candidates to have certification in animal first aid and CPR. Prior experience working with animals is also helpful, although not always required.

Animal Caregiver Skills

  • Patience
  • Attentiveness
  • Physical strength
  • Good eyesight
  • Agility
  • Endurance
  • Good hearing
  • A sense of smell
  • Quick reflexes
  • Intelligence
  • Manual dexterity

Related: Top Animal Caregiver Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Animal Caregiver

An animal caregiver is someone who provides care for animals. This can include feeding, grooming, exercising, and providing medical attention. Animal caregivers typically work in animal shelters, veterinary clinics, or zoos.

To become an animal caregiver, you will need to have a passion for animals and a desire to help them. You should also be able to handle the physical demands of the job, as it can be challenging at times. In addition, you will need to be patient and have good communication skills.

If you are interested in becoming an animal caregiver, the first step is to volunteer at an animal shelter or another organization that works with animals. This will give you some experience and help you decide if this is the right career for you. Once you have decided that you would like to pursue this career, you should consider taking some courses in animal care. Many community colleges offer programs that can prepare you for a career as an animal caregiver.

Once you have the necessary education and experience, you can apply for jobs at animal shelters, veterinary clinics, or zoos. With hard work and dedication, you can make a difference in the lives of animals!

Related: Animal Caregiver Resume Example

Related: Animal Caregiver Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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