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Hospitality, Travel, & FoodGrowingBright Outlook

Animal Caretaker

Operational-level

Also known as: Animal Care Attendant, Animal Care Giver (ACG), Animal Care Service Worker, Animal Care Specialist

Hospitality, Travel, & FoodBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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.
Animal CareAnimal WelfareVeterinary SupportZoologyAnimal BehaviorLife SciencesHealthcareHospitalityAnimalsNature

A Day in the Life

You pull into the shelter parking lot before 7 AM, the air already buzzing with the distant sound of barking. After clocking in, you grab your clipboard and head straight to the dog kennels. The morning shift starts with a whirlwind of activity: checking on each animal, refilling water bowls with fresh water, and dishing out specific portions of kibble based on the laminated kennel cards. The constant chorus of barks and meows is your morning alarm, loud and clear.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
Microsoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+12.1%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

62,800

per year (US)

Jobs today

365,300

in 2025 → 409,400 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
Moderate
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
Moderate
Time pressure
Moderate
Time spent sitting
Low
Working outdoors
High
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
Moderate
Level of competition
Low

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This career has a bright outlook, projected to grow by over 12% through 2035, leading to about 62,800 job openings each year. The median annual wage is around $35,360. With experience, you can take on more specialized animal care roles or move into management positions.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Dog Walker
  • Animal Shelter Volunteer
  • Animal Care Assistant

Where it can lead

  • Veterinary Technician
  • Kennel Manager
  • Specialized Zoo Keeper

Impact of AI on this Job

AI might automate routine tasks like feeding schedules, environmental control, or monitoring animal health through sensors and cameras. However, the essential hands-on care, emotional connection, and nuanced decision-making required for animal welfare will remain firmly within the human domain. AI will likely serve as a powerful tool to enhance efficiency and early problem detection, rather than replacing the caretaker role.

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Salary

$35,360

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Pet Ownership and Care

Bachelor • Social Sciences • 4 years

Animal Training

Bachelor • Nature & Environment • 4 years

Veterinary Sciences/Veterinary Clinical Sciences, General

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Zoology/Animal Biology

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Pre-Veterinary Studies

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Animal Physiology

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Current Vacancies

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