6563- Pet groomers and animal care workers

Canada NOC: 
6563
Job Title: 

Pet groomers and animal care workers

Job Description: 

Animal care workers feed, handle, train and groom animals and assist veterinarians, animal health technologists and technicians and animal breeders. Pet groomers clip coats, bathe and otherwise groom pets. Workers in this group are employed by animal hospitals and clinics, animal shelters, breeding and boarding kennels, zoos, laboratories, retail pet shops, dog training schools, pet grooming establishments, or may be self-employed.

Main Duties: 

Workers in this group perform some or all of the following duties:


Prepare food and feed animals, fish or birds at scheduled intervals
Clean and disinfect cages, pens and surrounding areas
Shampoo, clip and groom animals
Assist veterinarians and animal health technologists and technicians to inoculate and treat animals
Assist animal breeders to handle and nurture animals
Assist scientists and researchers in conducting laboratory tests with animals
Monitor and document animal behaviour
Train dogs to obey commands and perform specific duties in response to signals.

Employment Requirements: 

Completion of secondary 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.

Additional Inormation: 

Progression to animal health technology occupations is possible with additional training.

Classified Elsewhere: 

Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (3213)
Animal nutritionists (in 2121 Biologists and related scientists)
Horseshoers (in 7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.)
Marine mammal trainers (in 2121 Biologists and related scientists)
Sheep shearers (in 8431 General farm workers)

Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
International Careers(ISCO): 
Source Of Info: 

National Occupation Classification, (2011)

Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada,

February 2012,

Catalogue no. 12-583-X