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00 - Nonfarm Animal Caretakers

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Updated 2011
Summary Report for:
39-2021.00 - 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.
Sample of reported job titles: Groomer, Dog Groomer, Aquarist, Kennel Attendant, Kennel Technician, Pet
Groomer, Animal Care Giver (ACG), Kennel Manager, Pet Stylist, Animal Care Technician
View report: Summary Details Custom
Tasks | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work
Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks
Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and
knowledge of animal species.
Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and
equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
Perform animal grooming duties such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and
cleaning ears.
Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat,
breeding habits, or facility activities.
Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
Collect and record animal information such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received,
medications given, and food intake.
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Knowledge
Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal
services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of
customer satisfaction.
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Skills
Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being
made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make
improvements or take corrective action.
Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the
most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities
Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve
solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken
words and sentences.
Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding
your arm and hand in one position.
Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make
sense.
Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes
finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific
rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
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Work Activities
Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
and manipulating things.
Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best
solution and solve problems.
Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your
arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of
materials.
Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other
personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers,
and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and
accomplish your work.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing
differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the
cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or
training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
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Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in
this job?
Telephone How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Contact With Others How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by
telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable How often does this job require working exposed to
sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Structured versus Unstructured Work To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing
the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Frequency of Decision Making How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other
people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Spend Time Standing How much does this job require standing?
Freedom to Make Decisions How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls How much does this
job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Deal With External Customers How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
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Job Zone
Title Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
Education Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Related Experience Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these
occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has
never worked before.
Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of
training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Job Zone Examples These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include taxi
drivers, amusement and recreation attendants, counter and rental clerks, nonfarm animal
caretakers, continuous mining machine operators, and waiters/waitresses.
SVP Range (Below 4.0)
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Education
Percentage of
Respondents Education Level Required
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34
Less than high school diploma
24
High school diploma or equivalent
18
Bachelor's degree
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Credentials

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Interests
Interest code: RC
Realistic Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and
solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of
the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These
occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority
to follow.
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Work Styles
Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Independence Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no
supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical.
Adaptability/Flexibility Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in
the workplace.
Initiative Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding
aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative
attitude.
Persistence Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
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Work Values
Relationships Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work
with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and
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Social Service.
Support Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.
Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make
decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
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Related Occupations
35-2011.00 Cooks, Fast Food
35-2021.00 Food Preparation Workers
35-3021.00 Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
35-3022.00 Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
35-3041.00 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Bright Outlook
35-9031.00 Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
37-2011.00 Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
43-5081.01 Stock Clerks, Sales Floor
43-5081.03 Stock Clerks- Stockroom, Warehouse, or Storage Yard
45-2092.01 Nursery Workers
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Wages & Employment Trends
Median wages (2013) $9.57 hourly, $19,910 annual
State wages
Employment (2012) 191,000 employees
Projected growth (2012-2022) Faster than average (15% to 21%)
Projected job openings (2012-
2022)
52,100
State trends
Top industries (2012) Other Services (Except Public Administration)
Self-Employed
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2013 wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in
total employment over the projections period (2012-2022). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
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Job Openings on the Web

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Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links
to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Animal Care and Service Workers . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition.
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