Animal attendants
exercise and sometimes train dogs.
Animal attendants are responsible for the care of animals in places such as kennels, shelters and zoos. Although some employers, including zoos and research facilities, may require education in the field of animal handling or animal welfare, the majority will accept applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent degree. Employment in this field is usually robust, and work can be found in boarding kennels, animal shelters, research facilities and zoos, to name a few locations.
Boarding Kennel
Animal attendants at boarding kennels are responsible for pets while their owners are unable to care for them because they are out of town or otherwise occupied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Attendants perform basic maintenance tasks, including cleaning cages and providing the animals with fresh food and water, and may also assist in their hygiene upkeep. This might include bathing animals, trimming nails and taking care of other grooming needs.
Animal Shelter
Animal attendants who are employed by animal shelters work mostly with dogs and cats but may also care for small mammals such as guinea pigs and rabbits. Most of their responsibility lies in basic animal maintenance, such as cleaning cages and exercising the animals, They may also assist in maintaining records for animals, training dogs and interacting with the public during potential adoption opportunities.
Research Facility
Employment as an animal attendant in a research facility involves caring for laboratory animals, which can include rats, rabbits and monkeys. In addition to feeding and providing water for the animals, this type of attendant is usually also responsible for documenting any changes in the animals' behavior. Research facilities may require animal attendants to work odd hours so that they can monitor the animals overnight.
Zoo
Zoo animal attendants feed, clean up after and monitor the health of specific animal populations in zoos. According to the Schools in the USA website, they also help design and build habitats that mimic what the animals would encounter in the wild. They are often involved in conservation, reproduction and research projects and may need to maintain daily records as they observe the overall heath and behavior patterns of the animals. Occasionally, they may be asked to participate in education sessions for the public.
Tags: Animal attendants, also assist, animal shelters, boarding kennels, cleaning cages