Many different professionals take care of animals, from veterinarians and vet techs in clinics to zookeepers, farmers, wildlife rehabilitators, shelter workers, and animal control officers. The specific role depends on the setting: a pet in a home, livestock on a farm, animals in a zoo, or wildlife in the field. Employment in animal care is growing 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the national average, with a median salary of about $33,860 per year for animal care and service workers.
Veterinarians and Vet Techs
Veterinarians are the doctors of the animal world. After completing undergraduate prerequisites, they attend four years of veterinary school and can pursue further specialization afterward. Their work centers on diagnosing illness, performing surgery, and prescribing medication. While they do interact with animals directly, much of their day involves clinical decision-making.
Veterinary technicians (vet techs) typically earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. They study the same core subjects as veterinary students, like anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, but their training focuses on hands-on patient care rather than diagnosis. Vet techs spend more of their day in direct contact with animals: providing nursing care, running routine lab work, and assisting during exams and procedures. They’re also the primary point of contact for pet owners, handling questions and client education.
Zookeepers
Zookeepers are responsible for captive wildlife 365 days a year, regardless of weather or holidays. A typical day involves cleaning and maintaining animal habitats, preparing food and feeding animals, and observing behavior throughout the day. They also train animals so that veterinary exams and other interactions can happen safely, check for signs of illness, assist with medical treatments, and speak with the public about the animals in their care. The job requires deep knowledge of animal behavior, handling techniques for a wide range of species, and training methods.
Wildlife Rehabilitators
Wildlife rehabilitators care for sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitat. This work is legally regulated. In California, for example, rehabilitators must hold permits, comply with all applicable laws and permit conditions, and complete continuing education hours every year. The specifics vary by state, but most require some form of permit or license because you’re handling native wildlife. Rehabilitators also contribute to wildlife disease surveillance and conservation education in their communities.
Farmers and Livestock Managers
On farms and ranches, animal husbandry specialists manage the daily health and welfare of livestock. The fundamentals come down to four things: water, shelter, cleanliness, and low-stress handling. Water is the single most important nutrient and should be accessible to all animals at all times. Shelter doesn’t necessarily mean a barn; a well-maintained bedded area with a windbreak can be sufficient, as long as animals have protection from the elements.
Nutrition management goes well beyond filling a feed trough. A balanced ration affects growth, immune function, reproduction, and productivity. Livestock managers monitor body condition scores, mineral status, and feed quality, and they pay close attention to how, where, and when food is delivered. The ration on paper and what the animals actually eat rarely match, so hands-on observation is essential. Cleanliness prevents disease, promotes comfort, and low-stress handling techniques are considered non-negotiable for any well-run operation.
Laboratory Animal Technicians
In biomedical research settings, laboratory animal technicians handle the day-to-day care of animals used in studies. Their tasks include feeding, watering, grooming, changing cages and litter, and sanitizing animal quarters. They maintain detailed records on environmental conditions and daily activities, and they observe animals closely for subtle changes in appearance or behavior, reporting anything unusual to a supervisor. Federal guidelines and regulations from accreditation agencies govern every aspect of this work, and technicians are expected to apply these standards during their daily routines.
Animal Shelter Staff
Shelter workers manage the full lifecycle of animals in their care, from intake to adoption or transfer. Shelter managers develop policies for animal placement based on health assessments and available resources, coordinate with veterinarians to ensure animals are healthy, and verify that adopted animals receive required vaccinations, licensing, and sterilization. When animals can’t be adopted, shelter staff work with rescue organizations and transfer agencies to find placements. Much of the job involves working directly with the public on rescue and adoption efforts.
Animal Control Officers
Animal control officers (ACOs) occupy a unique space between law enforcement and animal welfare. They have legal authority to act to prevent cruelty against animals, take physical custody of animals they believe are in imminent risk of harm, and arrest individuals for violating laws related to domestic animals. If an ACO suspects neglect or cruel treatment but doesn’t remove the animal immediately, they can petition a court to order the owner to provide proper care or authorize removal. ACOs receive specialized training that includes documenting animal cruelty evidence and courtroom procedures, and they’re required to report suspected cases of harm to their state’s agriculture commissioner within 48 hours.
Service Animal Trainers
Service animal trainers prepare dogs to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, service dogs are not required to be professionally trained, certified, or registered, and they don’t need to wear a vest or other identification. Any breed or size of dog can be a service animal, as long as it’s trained to perform a task directly related to its handler’s disability. That said, many organizations employ professional trainers who work with dogs for months or even years before placing them. The training process involves teaching reliable task performance in a wide range of real-world environments.
Federal Oversight of Animal Care
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service enforces the Animal Welfare Act through unannounced inspections of licensed and registered facilities. Inspectors review all areas of care and treatment covered under the law. Cases are prioritized based on severity of animal suffering, a facility’s past compliance history, potential safety or health concerns for animals and the public, and the level of public interest in a given situation. This oversight applies to a range of facilities including commercial breeders, research labs, zoos, and exhibitors.