What Do Nonfarm Animal Caretakers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Nonfarm Animal Caretakers feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise care for pets and other nonfarm animals, such as dogs, cats, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks. They also feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.

Other tasks include:

• Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
• Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
• Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
• Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
• Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
• Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.

We asked Nonfarm Animal Caretakers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 70% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Nonfarm Animal Caretakers collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake. They mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.

A typical day for a Nonfarm Animal Caretaker will also include:

• Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
• Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
• Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.
• Sell pet food and supplies.
• Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.

We asked some Nonfarm Animal Caretakers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	78% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	33% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	84% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	55% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	72% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Nonfarm Animal Caretakers also clean and disinfect surgical equipment. They may also order, unload, and store feed and supplies.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Nonfarm Animal Caretakers Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions. They might also Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.

In addition, they Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment, such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.

To some Nonfarm Animal Caretakers, it is also their responsibility to Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Nonfarm Animal Caretaker, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/personal-care-and-service/animal-care-and-service-workers.htm

http://www.nationaldoggroomers.com/

http://www.apdt.com/

http://www.petsitters.org/