Job description template
Animal Caretaker Job Description Template
A copy-ready animal caretaker job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows animal caretakers earn a median of $35,360 ($17.00/hour); the middle 50% earn $29,820–$40,050.
Job title
Animal Caretaker
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable animal caretaker to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will feed and water animals, clean enclosures and kennels and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Feed and water animals
- Clean enclosures and kennels
- Exercise and socialize animals
- Bathe and groom pets
- Monitor animal health and behavior
- Supervise playgroups
- Help with adoptions and customers
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Working knowledge of animal handling and grooming
- Patience and compassion
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- National Dog Groomers Association certification
- Fear Free certification
- Pet CPR and first aid
- Experience with grooming clippers and shears
Skills
- Kennel sanitation
- Dog body language
- Playgroup management
- Basic health monitoring
- Reliability
- Customer service
Work environment and schedule
Caretakers work in kennels, shelters, daycares, grooming salons and pet stores, indoors and outdoors. Shifts include weekends and holidays, since animals need daily care.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a animal caretaker job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Animal Caretaker” is the clearest; alternates include Pet Groomer, Kennel Attendant, Animal Shelter Worker.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of an animal caretaker so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Animal Caretaker training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Animal Caretaker hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.