According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions. | 96% |
| Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment. | 93% |
| Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury. | 91% |
| Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species. | 90% |
| Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles. | 89% |
| Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health. | 88% |
| Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake. | 87% |
| Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals. | 85% |
| Clean and disinfect surgical equipment. | 84% |
| Find homes for stray or unwanted animals. | 84% |
| Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities. | 83% |
| Answer telephones and schedule appointments. | 83% |
| Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health. | 79% |
| Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs. | 77% |
| Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits. | 77% |
| Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears. | 77% |
| Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas. | 76% |
| Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions. | 76% |
| Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment, such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages. | 75% |
| Train animals to perform certain tasks. | 74% |
| Order, unload, and store feed and supplies. | 67% |
| Sell pet food and supplies. | 57% |
