Animal Caretakers - Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, animal caretakers:

Have a high level of social interaction with owners and other workers.
Communicate daily with others over the phone and in person. Occasionally send emails or written letters and memos.
Often work as part of a team.
Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of other workers and animals.
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Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other workers.
Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which customers or animals are difficult to deal with.

Work outdoors when exercising, training, or showing animals. Animal groomers may work outside to wash animals.
Work indoors when feeding animals and cleaning their pens, stalls, cages, or other shelter. Animal groomers may work inside when drying, fluffing, or combing animals.
Are sometimes exposed to toxic chemicals in cleansers and medications. Are often exposed to animal waste.
Are occasionally exposed to hazards such as animal bites, cuts, or needle punctures.
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Are exposed on a weekly basis to uncomfortable sounds and noises, such as barking, howling, or crying animals.
Work near other animals and workers.

Must take care to finish all details and tasks of their job. Leaving steps out may harm animals or people.
Must be exact and accurate with animal diets, controlled temperatures and humidity, and other features of animal care. Errors can be harmful.
Make decisions that affect others on a weekly basis. They rarely consult a supervisor before deciding on care for an animal.
Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
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Repeat the same physical and mental tasks throughout the day.

May work full time or part time and have a set schedule each week.
May work nights or weekends in zoos and animal shelters. They may work all-night shifts in some shelters and animal hospitals.
May travel to competitions when working with show or sport animals.