High School

Students preparing for animal caretaker careers need a high school diploma. While in high school, classes in anatomy and physiology, science, and health are recommended. Students can obtain valuable information by taking animal science classes, where available. Any knowledge about animal breeds, behavior, and health is helpful. The basics of human nutrition, disease, reproduction, and aging help to give a background for learning about these topics for different species. A basic grasp of business and computer skills will help with the clerical tasks.

Postsecondary Training

There are two-year college programs in animal health that lead to an associates degree. This type of program offers courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, mathematics, clinical pharmacology, pathology, radiology, animal care and handling, infectious diseases, biology, and current veterinary treatment. Students graduating from these programs go on to work in veterinary practices, shelters, zoos and aquariums, pharmaceutical companies, and laboratory research facilities. Students should look for programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Apprenticing for the handling of wild hunting birds is required by most facilities. This can include having apprentices pursue a falconry license, which means apprenticing to a licensed falconer.

A bachelors degree is required for many jobs, particularly in zoos and aquariums. Degrees in wildlife management, biology, zoology, animal physiology, or other related fields are most useful.

Other Education or Training

Webinars, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities are provided by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the International Boarding & Pet Services Association. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Caretakers who handle wild hunting birds may need to have a falconry license, which means apprenticing to a licensed falconer. Certification for assistant laboratory animal technicians, laboratory animal technicians, and laboratory animal technologists is available from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science and may be required by some employers. The International Boarding & Pet Services Association also provides certification for animal caretakers. Other organizations that offer voluntary certification are the National Dog Groomers Association of America, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, and Pet Sitters International.

Students should obtain as much experience in the field as possible by participating in summer internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs at animal care facilities.

Animal caretakers should have great love, empathy, and respect for animals. They should have a strong interest in the environment. Patience, compassion, dependability, and the ability to work on repetitive, physically challenging, or unstimulating tasks without annoyance are essential characteristics for someone to be happy as an animal caretaker.