Many people like animals. But, as pet owners can attest, taking
care of them is hard work. Animal care and service workers—which
include animal caretakers and animal trainers - train, feed, water,
groom, bathe, and exercise animals, and clean, disinfect, and
repair their cages. They also play with the animals, provide companionship,
and observe behavioral changes that could indicate illness or
injury. Boarding kennels, animal shelters, veterinary hospitals
and clinics, stables, laboratories, aquariums, and zoological
parks all house animals and employ animal care and service workers.
Job titles and duties vary by employment setting. Kennel attendants
care for pets while their owners are working or traveling out
of town. Beginning attendants perform basic tasks,
such as cleaning cages and dog runs, filling food and water dishes,
and exercising animals. Experienced attendants may provide basic
animal healthcare, as well as bathe animals, trim nails, and attend
to other grooming needs. Attendants who work in kennels also may
sell pet food and supplies, assist in obedience training, help
with breeding, or prepare animals for shipping. Grooming the pet
involves several steps: an initial brush-out is followed by an
initial clipping of hair or fur using electric clippers, combs,
and grooming shears; the groomer then cuts the nails, cleans the
ears, bathes, and blow-dries the animal, and ends with a final
clipping and styling. |
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