Postcode:
Resident:
Employed:
An Animal Shelter Attendant helps care for animals that are lost, have been neglected or have been surrendered by their owners. You’ll care for them in a shelter until their owners can be found or until the shelter finds a new family for them. Your duties will include feeding, watering and exercising the animals each day. Animal Shelter Attendants will have to wash and groom animals and keep a close eye on their health. You’ll also have to clean their bedding and enclosures and dispose of any animal waste.
Animal Shelter Attendants need to be very confident with animals and comfortable with a range of animal temperaments. You might have to show potential new animal owners through the shelter so you’ll also need people skills. The role requires some manual labour and you’ll have to be prepared to get your hands dirty. Animal Shelter Attendants work as part of a team so communication skills are also essential.
There is one course available for people who want to become an Animal Shelter Attendant.
Possible job outcomes:
Get started as an animal carer with the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. This nationally recognised training course qualifies you for support roles at animal shelters, kennels, pet shops, and wildlife centres. The course covers: feeding and watering animals, cleaning pens and enclosures, assisting with animal health care, communicating with co-workers, keeping safe at work, assisting with animal enrichment and welfare, providing animal first aid, basic grooming, and much more. Enquire now for the full list of study units, animal care career outcomes, and upcoming enrolment dates..
Average duration: 6 months.
In Australia, a full time Animal Shelter Attendant generally earns $960 per week ($49,920 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
The number of animal attendants in Australia is expected to increase in the future. There are currently 16,500 animal attendants and many of them are hired in animal shelters. This number is expected to increase to 18,200 over the next five years.
Source: The Labour Market Information Portal – 2019 Occupation Projections
If you’d like to work as an Animal Shelter Attendant you could start by completing a Certificate III in Animal Studies. This course covers the topics you need to look after animals in your care like health, nutrition and hygiene.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within animal control and regulation. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Animal Control and Regulation
Animal Shelter Attendant
$960 weekly pay
Animal Control Officer
$1,050 weekly pay
Animal Management Officer
Animal Shelter Manager
Wildlife Management Officer
$1,250 weekly pay
Learn more about Animal Shelter Attendant courses in your area.