Wild animal caretaker vs animal daycare provider

The differences between wild animal caretakers 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 a wild animal caretaker and an animal daycare provider. Additionally, an animal daycare provider has an average salary of $30,390, which is higher than the $27,846 average annual salary of a wild animal caretaker.

The top three skills for a wild animal caretaker include animal handling, facility laundry and general care. The most important skills for an animal daycare provider are child care, nutritional meals, and CPR.

Wild animal caretaker vs animal daycare provider overview

	Wild Animal Caretaker	Animal Daycare Provider
Yearly salary	$27,846	$30,390
Hourly rate	$13.39	$14.61
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	11,735	42,565
Job satisfaction	3	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	32	32
Years of experience	3	3

What does a wild animal caretaker do?

A wild animal caretaker is responsible for administering care to animals at pet shops, kennels, aquariums, zoos, and research labs. They are tasked with grooming, feeding, giving water to, and exercising animals. They monitor animals, record their health conditions, and report any problems. They must have excellent communication, interpersonal, and time-management skills to excel in this role.

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.

Wild animal caretaker vs animal daycare provider salary

Wild animal caretakers and animal daycare providers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Wild Animal Caretaker	Animal Daycare Provider
Average salary	$27,846	$30,390
Salary range	Between $20,000 And $37,000	Between $19,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between wild animal caretaker and animal daycare provider education

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

	Wild Animal Caretaker	Animal Daycare Provider
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	New York University	University of Pennsylvania

Wild animal caretaker vs animal daycare provider demographics

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

	Wild Animal Caretaker	Animal Daycare Provider
Average age	32	32
Gender ratio	Male, 26.2% Female, 73.8%	Male, 6.2% Female, 93.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.1% 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 wild animal caretaker and animal daycare provider duties and responsibilities

Wild animal caretaker example responsibilities.

Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
Assist with surgery and run in house blood work.
Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in providing the best care possible for patients.
Help with incoming pets as well as with the adoption of the pet by their forever home families.

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

Wild animal caretaker vs animal daycare provider skills

Common wild animal caretaker skills

Animal Handling, 24%
Facility Laundry, 11%
General Care, 8%
Administer Medications, 8%
Husbandry, 6%
Rabbits, 4%

Common animal daycare provider skills

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

Wild Animal Caretaker vs. similar jobs

Wild Animal Caretaker related careers

Wild Animal Caretaker related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Wild Animal Caretaker
Wild Animal Caretaker vs Animal Daycare Provider

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse personal care and attendants jobs