Animal caregiver vs animal daycare provider

The differences between animal caregivers and animal daycare providers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both an animal caregiver and an animal daycare provider. Additionally, an animal daycare provider has an average salary of $30,390, which is higher than the $27,665 average annual salary of an animal caregiver.

The top three skills for an animal caregiver include pigs, PET and animal handling. The most important skills for an animal daycare provider are child care, nutritional meals, and CPR.

Animal caregiver vs animal daycare provider overview

	Animal Caregiver	Animal Daycare Provider
Yearly salary	$27,665	$30,390
Hourly rate	$13.30	$14.61
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	57,251	42,565
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	32	32
Years of experience	3	3

What does an animal caregiver do?

An animal caretaker is primarily in charge of the welfare and safety of animals in a particular area. They may work at veterinary shops and clinics, private institutions, kennels, animal shelters, and even zoos. Although their responsibilities vary on the animals and their place of employment, it typically includes feeding, bathing, grooming, exercising, and petting. There are also instances where they must clean and sanitize cages, prepare meals, administer vitamins and medication, and monitor their behavior.

What does an animal daycare provider do?

An animal daycare provider is an individual who deals with animals and provides care to animals whose owners are temporarily unavailable. Animal daycare providers must assist and facilitate activities based on the curriculum set out by the animal daycare facility. They are required to have walks with the animals they are taking care of and should help in cleaning their cages or sleeping area. Animal daycare providers must also ensure that the animals they monitor have adequate food and water.

Animal caregiver vs animal daycare provider salary

Animal caregivers and animal daycare providers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Animal Caregiver	Animal Daycare Provider
Average salary	$27,665	$30,390
Salary range	Between $20,000 And $36,000	Between $19,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between animal caregiver and animal daycare provider education

There are a few differences between an animal caregiver and an animal daycare provider in terms of educational background:

	Animal Caregiver	Animal Daycare Provider
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Animal caregiver vs animal daycare provider demographics

Here are the differences between animal caregivers' and animal daycare providers' demographics:

	Animal Caregiver	Animal Daycare Provider
Average age	32	32
Gender ratio	Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%	Male, 6.2% Female, 93.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 2.9% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between animal caregiver and animal daycare provider duties and responsibilities

Animal caregiver example responsibilities.

Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
Educate pet owners about illnesses, medications, and general care, and answer their questions and concerns.
Walk all dogs, and occasionally strange animals such as pigs.
Create neighborhood service providing in-home pet care including; leash walks, off leash socials, and cat care.
Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in providing the best care possible for patients.
Provide routine grooming including brushing and clipping claws.

Animal daycare provider example responsibilities.

Assist children in learning numbers, ABC's and colors.
Teach children basic daily living skills such as washing hands, toileting, ABC's and numbers.
Maintain all safety and health standards as well as ensured up to date training including CPR and first aid.
Administer learning materials, provide one-on-on tutoring and supervise kids during time of play.
Maintain nutritional guidelines consistent with USDA guidelines

Animal caregiver vs animal daycare provider skills

Common animal caregiver skills

Pigs, 51%
PET, 19%
Animal Handling, 5%
Animal Shelter, 3%
General Care, 3%
Facility Laundry, 2%

Common animal daycare provider skills

Child Care, 72%
Nutritional Meals, 13%
CPR, 5%
Social Development, 2%
Quality Care, 1%
Developmental Problems, 1%

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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Animal Caregiver
Animal Caregiver vs Animal Daycare Provider

Updated January 8, 2025

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