Laboratory animal caretakers care for animals in research labs. Their duties range from feeding and cleaning up after animals to giving medication and doing surgery. Workers in lab animal science produce, care for, and study animals used in research. Research projects use millions of animals each year. Research uses them to find new vaccines, antibodies, and drugs.
Research also involves testing chemicals for safety or diagnosing disease.
Some projects explore how the systems of bodies work. In order to have accurate research results, research animals need to be healthy, clean, and well cared for. Many labs have three levels of animal caretakers or technicians. These levels are entry-level, experienced and qualified, and senior. Entry-level animal caretakers make sure that animals get clean, safe, and humane care.