Free animal care worker job description template
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Animal Care Worker (Groomer and Kennel Attendant) job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Animal Care Worker (Groomer and Kennel Attendant)
About the job
[Business name] is hiring an Animal Care Worker (Groomer and Kennel Attendant) who feeds, cleans, exercises and, in some roles, grooms animals in a kennel, grooming shop or shelter. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Give food and water to animals
- Clean equipment and the living spaces of animals
- Monitor animals and record diet, physical condition and behavior
- Examine animals for signs of illness or injury
- Exercise animals
- Bathe animals, trim nails, clip hair and attend to other grooming needs [if grooming]
What you need
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Comfort handling dogs, cats and [other animals]
- Able to lift [weight] and stand for long periods
- Reliable attendance, including weekends and holidays
Nice to have
- Grooming or kennel experience
- Pet first aid or CPR certification
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Muddy Paws Grooming, a two-groomer pet salon.
Muddy Paws Grooming is hiring a Kennel and Grooming Assistant (Tuesday to Saturday). You'll bathe, dry and brush dogs, keep the kennel clean and learn grooming from our senior groomer. No experience required.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What an animal care worker does
An animal care worker feeds, cleans, exercises and, in some roles, grooms animals in a kennel, grooming shop or shelter. Typical duties include:
- Give food and water to animals
- Clean equipment and the living spaces of animals
- Monitor animals and record diet, physical condition and behavior
- Examine animals for signs of illness or injury
- Exercise animals
- Bathe animals, trim nails, clip hair and attend to other grooming needs if grooming
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says certifications are not required but can help, and many states require self-employed animal care workers to have a business license.
Training: Most learn through on-the-job training.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Animal Care and Service Workers.
How much does an animal care worker make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
What should I check before hiring someone to work with animals?
Ask about comfort with large and anxious animals, and have them demonstrate safe handling in a trial shift. Confirm your business insurance covers employees who handle animals.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.