What is an animal care technician?
Asked by Brooke B
What type of education is needed? What do they do?

Best Answer:
According to the US Dept of Labor: Here's what are the different types of animal care technicians: Many people like animals. But, as pet owners can attest, taking care of them is hard work. Animal care and service workers—which include animal caretakers and animal trainers—train, feed, water, groom, bathe, and exercise animals, and clean, disinfect, and repair their cages. They also play with the animals, provide companionship, and observe behavioral changes that could indicate illness or injury. Boarding kennels, animal shelters, veterinary hospitals and clinics, stables, laboratories, aquariums, and zoological parks all house animals and employ animal care and service workers. Job titles and duties vary by employment setting. Education & Training? Most animal care and service workers are trained on the job; however, employers generally prefer to hire people who have some experience with animals. What do they do? What training do they need? Kennel attendants care for pets while their owners are working or traveling out of town. Beginning attendants perform basic tasks, such as cleaning cages and dog runs, filling food and water dishes, and exercising animals. Beginning animal caretakers in kennels learn on the job, and usually start by cleaning cages and feeding and watering animals. Animal caretakers who specialize in grooming or maintaining a pet’s—usually a dog’s or cat’s—appearance are called groomers. Some groomers work in kennels, veterinary clinics, animal shelters, or pet-supply stores. Others operate their own grooming business, typically at a salon, or increasingly, by making house calls. Such mobile services are growing rapidly as it offers convenience for pet owners and flexible hours for groomers. Most pet groomers learn their trade by completing an informal apprenticeship, usually lasting 6 to 10 weeks, under the guidance of an experienced groomer Animal caretakers in animal shelters perform a variety of duties and work with a wide variety of animals. In addition to attending to the basic needs of the animals, caretakers also must keep records of the animals received and discharged and any tests or treatments done. Animal caretakers in animal shelters are not required to have any specialized training, but training programs and workshops are increasingly available through the Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Association, and the National Animal Control Association. In zoos, animal care and service workers, called keepers, prepare the diets and clean the enclosures of animals, and sometimes assist in raising them when they are very young. Some zoological parks may require their caretakers to have a bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, or a related field. Most require experience with animals, preferably as a volunteer or paid keeper in a zoo. Animal trainers train animals for riding, security, performance, obedience, or assisting persons with disabilities. Animal trainers often need to possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Good luck!
http://www.bls.gov/oco
Answered by waswisgirl1

Check out the Labor Market Information website for your state at: www.lmi.state.(your state initials).us Usually (if I'm correct) one needs a diploma/GED, and some courses relating to animals. They usually help to keep an animal calm when they are being seen by the veterinarian. Might have to pick up after them too.
Answered by Chris