Nonfarm Animal Caretakers Go Back to List 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.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Calendar and scheduling software

Tasks
	Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
	Answer telephones and schedule appointments.
	Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
	Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.
	Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
	Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.
	Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.
	Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
	Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
	Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.

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.
	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.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

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Education & Training   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.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $36,154.00 $17.38  $14.43  $14.75 - $17.88  Bridgeport/Stamford $37,450.00 $18.01  $14.88  $15.10 - $18.17  Danbury $34,743.00 $16.70  $14.34  $14.64 - $17.09  Hartford $35,548.00 $17.09  $14.36  $14.62 - $17.51  New Haven $36,122.00 $17.36  $14.34  $14.63 - $18.22  New London/Norwich $35,203.00 $16.92  $14.13  $14.29 - $17.12  Waterbury $34,785.00 $16.72  $14.24  $14.44 - $16.78  Torrington $36,321.00 $17.47  $14.28  $14.52 - $17.15

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   625   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow much faster than average, and the number of annual openings will offer excellent job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.