Animal Caretakers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Animals need shelter, food and a healthy environment. They are like human being that needs to be treated right and cared for. If people have caretakers who takes care of them then they get old or sick, animals also have caretakers. Animal caretakers are responsible in taking care of sick, aging and injured animals. They are also known as kennel technicians, animal shelter workers, laboratory animal technologists, grooms, laboratory animal technicians, veterinary assistants, animal shelter attendants and wildlife assistants.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
High school diploma is necessary to be an animal caretaker. Classes in Physiology, Anatomy, Health and Science are beneficial. Since animals are like humans, basic knowledge in disease, reproduction, human nutrition and aging is helpful. Knowing animals behavior, health and breeding will give the applicant a background about the profession. Associates degree can be obtained by taking a two-year program in animal health in college. Courses included are Current Veterinary Treatment, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Infectious Diseases, Mathematics, Animal Care and Handling, Clinical Pharmacology, Radiology and Pathology. Those who are on the second year of the program undergo veterinary practices in laboratory research facilities, shelters, pharmaceutical companies, zoos and aquariums. Some zoo and aquarium owners prefer an applicant to have a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Wildlife Management, Animal Physiology, Zoology and other related fields.
Skills and Abilities
Animal caretakers should love to be surrounded by animals. They need to have patience and compassion . Respect and love for animals is important. They should be creative in thinking about new activities that will interest and train the animal. It is essential to know the needs and behavior of animals. Clerical tasks and administrative works are involved so being organized is helpful. They need to know how to deal with the animals death.
Duties
The primary duty of an animal caretaker is to attend to animals.
They are responsible in feeding, cleaning and training the animals. They usually come up with different enrichment materials and challenge animals in new activities and objects. It is part of their duty to help veterinarians and other medical personnel to treat the injured or sick animals. Animal caretakers record eating habits, weight, behavior, medicines and treatments given to each animal.
Earnings and Job Outlook
Animal caretakers income would depend whether they are employed or self-employed. Employed caretakers can earn an average income of $17,460. Self-employed caretakers usually charge their services at an hourly or daily rate. They are hired to take care of the pets while the pet owners are busy working. Accommodating the dog for overnight stay would usually cost $25 to $40 while dog walkers charge $5 and $12. More people are now concerned with pet care specifics which is attributed to the increase of the job opportunities for animal caretakers.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 499 Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 Time: 7:11 PM
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