Provides routine care for dogs, cats and other domesticated animals, including feeding, exercising, monitoring their health and cleaning kennels and cages.

Bathes, cuts, combs, blow-drys and styles pets’ coats, clips their nails and cleans their ears; inspects, prepares, cleans, disinfects and maintains comfortable cages and enclosures; transports food, fills water troughs and feeds animals according to their individual needs; maintains animal health records, treats minor injuries and reports serious conditions to veterinarians; exercises and plays with animals and answers visitor questions and transfers animals between enclosures by leading or carrying them; dusts and sprays insecticides on animals and immerses them in insecticide baths to control insect pests.

• Works outdoors in many situations, but may also work indoors in veterinarian practices or other animal training or care facilities such as catteries or kennels.
• Employees frequently work in smelly, wet, hot, dusty or dirty conditions depending upon the season, weather and nature of the area where animals are enclosed.

• Medium to heavy physical demand level. Heavy lifting and carrying is likely on an occasional basis when lifting and carrying animals, food, tools and equipment.
• Frequently stands, walks and moves about the worksite. Sitting is unlikely to be required.
• Occasionally stretches up or across and squats or crouches and kneels depending on the type of animals being worked with. Twisting of the body or neck is required occasionally. Frequent bending for many animal welfare roles.
• Substantial contact with skin irritants or water is likely when cleaning and handling animals or their homes.
• Repetitive hand and arm movements can be required on an occasional basis.
• Driving may be required but is not a significant component of the job.
• The use of hand tools/hand-held objects such as animal care equipment and general maintenance tools are likely to be required especially for roles such as animal groomer.
• Mental skills necessary include animal handling, alertness, communication, sensitivity to and awareness of animal needs and behaviour.

An NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.