August 1, 2023

how to become an animal attendant or animal carer

5 Tips to Become an Animal Attendant, Animal Carer or Kennel Hand in Australia

If you have a passion for animals and want to turn your passion into a career, you might consider a career working with animals. One of the most popular roles in animal care is an Animal Attendant also referred to as a Kennel Hand, Animal Assistant or Animal Carer. Animal Attendants work across a variety of pet-related businesses and organisations and undertake a range of tasks to assist in the care and well-being of a variety of animal species. In Australia, the animal care industry is booming as our community embraces pet ownership and places more priority and compassion on the way animals, including wildlife are respected and cared for. As a result, the job market for animal care positions such as Animal Attendants and Carers is thriving.

What does an Animal Attendant do?

The main purpose of an Animal Attendant is to take care of the day to day needs of animals. This includes:-

Food preparation and feeding duties
Cleaning the environment in which animals live including cages, pens, yards, enclosures, etc
Cleaning and grooming animals
Exercising and providing enrichment for animals
Assisting with rehabilitation programs for animals
Assisting with animal training and socialisation
Administering first aid treatment and care
Assisting other professionals such as veterinarians to help with the treatment of animals
Administering medication
Maintaining animal health records

How to become an Animal Attendant

So where do you start your journey to becoming an animal attendant? If you are thinking about a career as an Animal Attendant, there are a number of things you can do to enhance your prospects of securing work in the animal care industry. Here are five top tips to help you become an Animal Attendant in Australia:

1. Get experience by volunteering

When seeking a job as an Animal Attendant, one of the most sought after skills employers will be seeking is previous hands-on experience working with animals. One of the best ways you can get hands-on experience is by volunteering. Volunteer work plays a vital role in the industry, especially in the areas of animal welfare, animal rescue and shelters, conservation and rehabilitation across a range of species. If you are eager to find out what it is like to work with animals, we highly recommend volunteering. It is a great way to acquire basic animal handling skills if you have no prior experience. It will also give you an opportunity to find out if working with animals is for you.

2. Take an active role in animal care

When you interact with animals on a regular basis you will quickly learn about their needs, behaviours and their unique personalities. You will also gain more confidence in handling animals as well as reading and understanding their body language. If you are considering applying for a job as an Animal Attendant or even starting a course in Animal Care, we recommend playing an active role in the lives of your family pets. If you don’t have a dog or a cat, or any other kind of pet at home, you can offer to help out a friend or neighbour who has a pet. Types of activities you can assist with include dog walking, day to day care including feeding, grooming and cleaning and basic training duties.

3. Find out if you have the qualities to be an Animal Attendant?

In most cases, Animal Attendants work as part of a team of people. Animal care teams are often faced with challenging and sometimes stressful situations. For this reason, you should possess good interpersonal and communication skills, be an effective team player and have a positive outlook on life.

The day to day tasks involved with caring for animals can also be physically demanding. For this reason, we recommend being an active person who is capable of lifting at least 10kg.

You will also need to be tolerant of animal hair, fur and feathers so, it is a good idea to find out if you have any allergies before committing to an employer or course provider.

Do you live in WA?
Are you a job seeker?

Find out about our subsidised* course in Animal Care based at the Cat Haven and the Dogs’ Refuge Home.

4. Consider the employment opportunities for Animal Attendants

You will soon learn an Animal Attendant’s role is one of the most rewarding careers you can find. You can start working with animals and train academically to become highly skilled in this field. There are various career options, from casual attendants through to veterinary professionals and business owners that earn over $80k per year depending on their skillset and education. This field of work offers great employment opportunities for both young and old animal lovers.

Before you take your next step towards your career, it is a great idea to consider the employment opportunities ahead. These range across a number of animal care facilities including:

Boarding kennels
Catteries
Shelters and rehabilitation centres
Zoos, wildlife centres and conservation parks
Veterinary practices
Doggy Daycare and other daycare facilities
Dog behaviour and training businesses
Groomers
Pet shops
Equine facilities such as horse stables, agistment centres
Farms

5. Find out what qualifications are needed to become an Animal Attendant

Whilst you can commence your career without a formal qualification, employers are more frequently seeking qualified staff with practical experience. You can kick-start your career by getting a qualification in animal care. Start with a nationally accredited entry-level course such as ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care or further vocational training such as ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services. Both courses combine theory with practical training and will give you the underlying knowledge required for employment and a long-lasting career in animal care.

Take a course in Animal Care

Choose a course

Follow your passion and get a dream job!

Start today and register for one of our nationally recognised qualifications across a broad range of animal related areas. You can start your career pathway with AVT. Learn about our courses.

About Our Courses

Choose from our range of courses

Choose a study mode to suit you and your location including flexible online learning from anywhere in Australia or on-campus in Perth WA.

View Courses

Get started

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Online)

This Online Course allows students up to 1 year to complete their qualification. It is an ideal starting point for those with very little or no prior knowledge or experience in the animal care industry.

Studying Online

Animal Care Online Course

This is the most flexibile option for students who are not based in Perth or who would like to combine their studies with work, school or other commitments.

View Course

*Fees, inclusions and payment plan amounts are subject to change. Additional fees may apply such as student service and resource fees. Eligibility criteria applies. See Course page for full details.

Do you live in WA? Are you a job seeker?