Animal Attendant/Animal Nursery Worker

Do you sometimes prefer the company of animals to humans? Animal attendants take care of animals on a daily basis. They give them food and water and clean them, and they also exercise the animals. They work in shelters, veterinary hospitals, ranches (for horses) and laboratories.

Animal nursery workers are attendants who are responsible for the care of newborn and young animals in a zoo's nursery, as well as its public viewing areas. Among other things, s/he prepares and feeds liquid formula in nursing bottles for the babies and prepares special foods for their mothers. S/he also regularly performs physical exams on the young animals, which includes taking temperatures and weighing and measuring them. S/he serves as a protector of the young animals and keeps watch when they are fed and petted by children.

Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent; Nursery workers may not need diploma or equivalent. Experience with animals preferred.