JOB DESCRIPTION
Animal attendants provide food, water and care for animals. Working conditions vary depending on the place of work. Some attendants have to work on weekends and public holidays. Many work outdoors. Considerable contact with the public is involved when accepting donations and lost or unwanted animals, and when selling or adopting animals.
DUTIES AND TASKS
Animal attendants may perform the following tasks:
- prepare food (including special diets) and deliver food and water to animals
- clean and prepare comfortable sleeping quarters for animals
- clear away animal waste; clean, disinfect and look after animal enclosures and cages; and check locks
- bathe and groom animals, and treat them with insecticide to control insect pests
- treat minor injuries and report serious health problems to veterinarians
- administer basic medications as directed by veterinarians
- transfer animals between enclosures
- assist with animal behavioural assessments and behaviour modification
- rescue injured and neglected animals
- assist with euthanising animals humanely and handling of animals that have died
- maintain animal records
- talk with the public and other staff.
PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS
- enjoy practical and manual activities
- good communication skills and enjoy working with people
- mature and responsible
- able to work well in a team
- free from allergies aggravated by animal hair, fur, feathers and dust
- able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work
- able to handle animals with confidence and patience
- interested in animals and their welfare
- observant and methodical