Pet Groomers and Animal Care Workers
(NOC 6563)
in All Sales and ServiceAnimal care workers feed, handle, train, and groom animals and help veterinarians, animal health technologists and technicians and animal breeders. Pet groomers clip coats, bathe and otherwise groom pets. Workers in this group work for animal hospitals and clinics, animal shelters, breeding and boarding kennels, zoos, laboratories, retail pet shops, dog training schools, pet grooming companies, or may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Sales and Service
Hourly Pay
$14.50
Minimum$14.50
Median$18.50
MaximumAnnual Pay
$783
Minimum$11,358
Median$31,320
MaximumCompared to: All Sales and Service
Hourly Pay
$12.95
Minimum$15.00
Median$25.60
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,949
Minimum$16,629
Median$45,086
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Animal care workers feed, handle, train, and groom animals and help veterinarians, animal health technologists and technicians and animal breeders. Pet groomers clip coats, bathe and otherwise groom pets. Workers in this group work for animal hospitals and clinics, animal shelters, breeding and boarding kennels, zoos, laboratories, retail pet shops, dog training schools, pet grooming companies, or may be self-employed.
Job duties
Workers in this group:
- Prepare food and feed animals, fish, or birds at scheduled intervals.
- Clean and disinfect cages, pens, and surrounding areas.
- Shampoo, clip, and groom animals.
- Help veterinarians and animal health technologists and technicians inoculate and treat animals.
- Help animal breeders handle and nurture animals.
- Help scientists and researchers conduct laboratory tests with animals.
- Monitor and document animal behaviour.
- Train dogs to obey commands and perform specific duties in response to signals.
Sample job titles
- animal attendant
- animal care worker (except farm)
- animal health care assistant
- animal trainer (except horses or marine mammals)
- dog trainer
- kennel attendant
- laboratory animal care worker
- pet groomer
- veterinary attendant
Skills
- This work demands good communication skills and the ability to cooperate with others. You must be able to pay close attention to detail. To work with animals, you must have good manual dexterity and be comfortable working with instruments and technology.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- Depending on the type of work performed, training courses in animal handling, grooming or dog training are usually required. Animal health or veterinary assistant college courses may be required for animal care workers.
Other considerations
- Progression to animal health technology positions is possible with additional training.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Sales and Service
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$10,394 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$14,403 median annual incomeSouthern
$8,862 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$18,528 median annual incomeCape Breton
$6,555 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Other services (except public administration)
Retail trade
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
15-24
35-44
25-34
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Sales and Service
15-24
45-54
25-34
55-64
35-44
Top levels of education
High school
$10,839 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$12,406 median annual incomeLess than high school
$3,770 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$15,585 median annual incomeBachelor
$13,056 median annual incomeCompared to: All Sales and Service
High school
$15,705 median annual incomeLess than high school
$9,866 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$20,644 median annual incomeBachelor
$21,262 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$21,234 median annual incomeEducation & training
Animal Behaviour and Ethology
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of the psychological and neurological bases of animal sensation, perception, cognition, behaviour, and behavioural interactions within and outside the species. They include courses in ethology, behavioural neuroscience, neurobiology, behavioural evolution, cognition and sensory perception, motivators, learning and instinct, hormonal controls, reproductive and developmental biology, community ecology, functional behaviour, and applications to specific behaviours and patterns as well as to specific phyla and species.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Veterinary/Animal Health Technician and Vterinary Assistant
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students, under the supervision of veterinarians, laboratory animal specialists, and zoological professionals, to provide patient management, care, and clinical procedures assistance as well as owner communication. They include courses in animal nursing care, animal health and nutrition, animal handling, clinical pathology, radiology, anesthesiology, dental prophylaxis, surgical assisting, clinical laboratory procedures, office administration skills, patient and owner management, and applicable standards and regulations.
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
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