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39-2021.00 · Task explorer

Animal Caretakers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 22 tasks, including 11 marked Core and 11 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2019.

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22 tasks shown

Core · Task 5072 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.

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Core · Task 5077 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.

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Core · Task 5075 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.

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Core · Task 5082 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.

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Core · Task 20132 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.

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Core · Task 5080 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.

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Core · Task 5078 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.

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Core · Task 5076 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.

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Core · Task 5074 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Answer telephones and schedule appointments.

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Core · Task 21150 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.

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Core · Task 5079 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.

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Supplemental · Task 5085 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.

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Supplemental · Task 5083 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.

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Supplemental · Task 5086 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.

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Supplemental · Task 5084 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.

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Supplemental · Task 5089 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.

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Supplemental · Task 5087 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.

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Supplemental · Task 5088 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions.

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Supplemental · Task 5090 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment, such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.

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Supplemental · Task 5091 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Train animals to perform certain tasks.

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Supplemental · Task 5081 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.

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Supplemental · Task 5093 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Sell pet food and supplies.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.