65220 – Pet groomers and animal care workers
Lead statement
Animal care workers feed, handle, train and groom animals and assist veterinarians, animal health technologists and technicians and animal breeders. Pet groomers clip coats, bathe and otherwise groom pets.
Main duties
- Prepare food and feed animals, fish or birds at scheduled intervals
- Clean and disinfect cages, pens and surrounding areas
- Shampoo, clip and groom animals
- Assist veterinarians and animal health technologists and technicians to inoculate and treat animals
- Assist animal breeders to handle and nurture animals
- Assist scientists and researchers in conducting laboratory tests with animals
- Monitor and document animal behaviour
- Train dogs to obey commands and perform specific duties in response to signals.
Employment requirements
- Depending on the type of work performed, training courses in animal handling, grooming or dog training are usually required. Animal health or veterinary assistant college courses may be required for animal care workers.
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Example job titles
animal care worker (except farm) · laboratory animal attendant · zoo attendant · animal groomer (except horses) · animal trainer (except horses or marine mammals) · aquarist · pet shop attendant · veterinary helper · veterinary attendant · dog groomer · dog handler · dog master · dog trainer · pet groomer · pet-sitter · kennel attendant · kennelman/woman · kennel keeper · pound animal attendant · receiving barn custodian · animal attendants supervisor · horse hot-walker · pound attendant · animal attendant · laboratory animal care worker · zoo animal attendant · animal health care assistant · certified dog master · dog master trainer · pet master groomer · groom - horse race track
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.00 | $25.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $16.10 | $26.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $16.50 | $25.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $16.25 | $24.00 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $18.57 | $25.00 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $19.00 | $26.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $16.00 | $25.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $15.35 | $20.00 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $17.00 | $32.50 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $19.50 | $25.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.