Nonfarm Animal Caretakers

Description

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise care for pets and other nonfarm animals, such as dogs, cats, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks. Exclude "Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers" (31-9096). [SOC] Occupational asthma in aquarium keepers caused by fish food (Echinodorus larva); [Malo] See "From workplace to home environment: spreading of mouse allergens by laboratory animal workers." [PMID 30358658]

Category

Crop & Livestock Production

SOC Code

39-2021

Job Tasks

High risk job tasks associated with this job:

• Care for birds (zookeepers)
• Care for children or animals infected with cryptosporidiosis
• Care for children or primates infected with hepatitis A
• Clean pools or aquariums
• Generate bioaerosols of animal-derived proteins
• Handle agents that cause allergic contact dermatitis or contact urticaria
• Handle infected animal carcasses or placental tissues
• Handle infected chickens or birds
• Handle infected dog or cat (bite or scratch)
• Handle infected domestic animals (inhalation or percutaneous exposure)
• Handle infected macaque monkeys
• Handle laboratory animals
• Have contact with dogs or cats (fecal-oral exposure)
• Inhale insect allergens in fish food or fish bait
• Repeatedly inhale bioaerosols of bird droppings