Personal Care & Service
Animal Caretakers
Also called: Animal Care Giver (ACG), Aquarist, Dog Bather, Dog Groomer
US median pay
$35,360
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+12.1%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
62,800
365,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, 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.
What they do day to day
- Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- 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.
- Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
- Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
- Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.6/5
- Time Management2.5/5
- Systems Evaluation2.1/5
- Systems Analysis2.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative3.1/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
- Administration and Management2.5/5
- Psychology2.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma64%
- Associate's degree14%
- Bachelor's degree13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.