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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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65220.00 – Pet groomers and animal care workers

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.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Animal care worker (except farm)
  • Dog groomer
  • Dog trainer
  • Kennel attendant
  • Laboratory animal attendant
  • Pet groomer
  • Pound attendant
  • Veterinary attendant
  • Zoo attendant

Core competencies

  • Monitoring to oversee animals during minor procedures, grooming or day-to-day to detect any signs of illness or distress
  • Oral Communication: Active Listening to understand instructions from veterinarians, animal health professionals and clients
  • Body Flexibility to bend, reach and move animals around to groom or examine them
  • Static Strength to hold or support animals in place safely without causing injury, such as during grooming, feeding or handling
  • Attention to Detail to observe signs of health issues, accurately administer treatments and meticulously groom animals to maintain their health
  • Knowledge in Client Service to engage with pet owners effectively and ensure their needs or concerns are addressed professionally and empathetically

Main duties

This group performs 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.

Additional information

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

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (84120)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

6 – Sales and service occupations

TEER

5 – Occupations usually require short-term work demonstration and no formal education

Major group

65 – Sales and service support occupations

Sub-major group

652 – Support occupations in food, accommodation and tourism

Minor group

6522 – Support occupations in personal services

Unit group

65220 – Pet groomers and animal care workers

Occupational profile

65220.00 – Pet groomers and animal care workers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.