Occupation non-farm animal caretaker

Non-farm animal caretakers feed, water, groom, exercise, monitor or otherwise care for pets, zoo animals and other non-farm animals. May keep records of animals and clean animal quarters.

Tasks

• Prepare food, and feed and water animals, e.g. according to schedules and feeding instructions.
• Clean, organise and disinfect animal quarters such as pens, stables, cages and yards, and animal equipment such as saddles and bridles, and change animal bedding.
• Perform animal grooming duties such as washing, brushing, clipping, trimming coats, cutting nails, cleaning ears and treating animals with insecticides.
• Exercise, train, handle and play with animals.
• Respond to questions from visitors or animal owners, and provide information to them about animals, such as behaviour, habitat and breeding habits, or facility activities.
• Answer telephones and schedule appointments, e.g. with animal owners.
• Examine, observe and monitor animals to detect signs of illness, disease or injury.
• Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
• Collect and record animal information such as weight, size, physical condition, behaviour, treatments received, medications given and food intake.
• Transfer animals between enclosures, search for and capture stray animals.
• Assist other professionals (e.g. veterinarians or scientists), e.g. in animal laboratory tests, with humane killing of animals and handling of dead animals.
• Order, unload and store feed and supplies.

Back to the list of occupations.