Animal Attendant
Animal attendants feed, water and care for animals.
Animal attendants may perform the following tasks:
- prepare food (including special diets) and deliver food and water to animals
- clean and prepare comfortable sleeping quarters for animals
- clear away animal waste, clean, disinfect and look after animal enclosures and cages, and check locks
- bathe and groom animals, and treat them with insecticide to control insect pests
- treat minor injuries and report serious health problems to veterinarians
- transfer animals between enclosures
- rescue injured and neglected animals
- assist with humane killing of animals and handling of animals that have died
- maintain animal records
- talk with the public and other staff.
Specialisations:
Dog Clipper/Groomer
A dog clipper/groomer washes, dries, brushes and combs dogs, and clips their fur and nails. They may work with pure-bred dogs, preparing them for dog shows.
Kennel Hand
A kennel hand receives dogs and cats from their owners, tags them for identification, then exercises, feeds, grooms and handles them.
Pet Shop Attendant
A pet shop attendant sells pet food and accessories as well as animals to customers.
Working conditions vary depending on place of work. Some attendants have to work on weekends and public holidays. Many work outdoors. Considerable contact with the public is involved when accepting donations and lost and unwanted animals and when selling animals.
Personal Requirements:
- enjoy practical and manual activities
- free from allergies aggravated by animal hair, fur, feathers and dust
- able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work
- able to handle animals with confidence and patience
- interested in animals and their welfare
- observant and methodical.
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