Animal caretakers

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to 

promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that 

are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, 

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.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in 

jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 20.5 percent of animal caretakers, and basic people skills were 

required for 79.5 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of animal caretakers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 42.8 57.2

Interaction with general public 89.3 10.7

Working around crowds <0.5 >99.5

Telework <0.5 >99.5

Work review: Supervising others 0.6 99.4

Work review: Presence of supervisor 91.4 8.6

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience 

requirements

The minimum level of formal education 

required, credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work experience 

necessary for average performance in 

jobs.

In 2023, credentials were required for 

13.9 percent of animal caretakers. Prior 

work experience was required for 20.9 

percent and on-the-job training was 

required for 96.2 percent.

No minimum education was required for 

45.7 percent of animal caretakers and a 

high school diploma was required for 51.2 

percent.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete 

hazards or difficulties that are in the 

vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are 

performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of 

animal caretakers were not exposed to 

extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 

percent were not exposed to extreme 

heat. Wetness was not present for less 

than 0.5 percent, greater than 99.5 

percent were not exposed to heavy

vibrations, and 61.3 percent were not 

exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities 

required to perform tasks in jobs. 

The presence and, in some cases, 

duration of these activities are 

published.

In 2023, reaching at or below the 

shoulder was required for 99.0 

percent of animal caretakers and 

was not required for 1.0 percent.

Performing work in low postures 

was required for greater than 90 

percent of animal caretakers and 

was not required for less than 10 

percent.

The choice to sit or stand when 

performing critical tasks was available to 9.8 percent of animal caretakers. On average, workers spent 5.4 percent of the 

workday sitting and 94.6 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of animal caretakers with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 9.8 90.2

Driving 10.4 89.6

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 6.4 93.6

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey