Keeper, zoo animals

Animal and pet care workers feed, handle, train and groom animals, assist veterinarians and technicians, and help in animal shelters, zoos, laboratories, pet shops, riding schools, dog training schools and similar establishments.

• bathing and feeding animals;
• leading or transporting animals to treatment rooms and helping to restrain them during procedures;
• cleaning and sterilising surgical veterinary instruments;
• labelling medicines, chemicals and other pharmacological agents and replenishing stocks;
• sterilising bottles, beakers and other equipment;
• cleaning, arranging and disinfecting animal quarters;
• collecting and recording information on animals such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments given, medicines and food taken;
• training animals to develop and maintain the condition required for competition, entertainment, security, riding and other activities;
• attending to animal hygiene by bathing, brushing, clipping and trimming coats, cutting nails and cleaning ears.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Dog handler (trainer)
• Trainer, racehorses
• Cynologist (dog specialist)
• Worker, zoo