Animal Care Attendant Resume Guide

Animal care attendants provide day-to-day care for a variety of animals, including feeding, exercising and cleaning cages. They also observe the health of the animals and administer basic medical treatments as needed. Furthermore, they are responsible for maintaining records related to animal behavior and health status.

You have a natural affinity for animals, and you could provide the best possible care to them. But employers don’t know who you are yet, so it’s up to you to create an impressive resume that will let them see how skilled and experienced you are.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Animal Care Attendant Resume Sample

Watson Donnelly
Animal Care Attendant

[email protected]
200-481-3169
linkedin.com/in/watson-donnelly

Summary

Dependable animal care attendant with 8 years of experience in the veterinary field. Skilled at providing compassionate and attentive care to all animals, from domestic pets to exotic wildlife. At XYZ Clinic, provided medical treatments for over 700 patients per year while ensuring that their needs were met on a daily basis. Demonstrated success in managing 10+ employees and maintaining accurate records of animal health history.

Experience

Animal Care Attendant, Employer A
Spring Valley, Jan 2018 – Present

Streamlined daily animal care operations, resulting in a 25% decrease of time spent per cage and improved overall efficiency.
Facilitated regular feeding and grooming for over 50 animals within the facility; monitored health conditions and administered medication as needed to ensure optimal wellbeing.
Accurately recorded daily observations including food intake, sleeping patterns, signs of stress or illness into log books each shift with 100% accuracy rate.
Compiled detailed reports on all veterinary visits as well as monthly updates on individual animal progress; actively kept up with relevant paperwork to maintain compliance standards at all times.
Assisted veterinary surgeons during various medical procedures such as micro-chipping & spaying/neutering surgeries; provided additional support when handling distressed pets throughout their recovery process.

Animal Care Attendant, Employer B
Tucson, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Walked and fed 50+ animals daily, ensuring that all were provided with adequate exercise and nutrition to maintain their health.
Demonstrated a high level of patience when providing care for the animals; successfully reduced animal anxiety by 30% in 4 months.
Handled grooming duties such as bathing, brushing fur/hair, cutting nails and administering medications according to veterinary instructions while maintaining a clean and safe environment at all times.
Reliably monitored vital signs (temperature, respiration rate etc.) of each individual animal on an hourly basis; reported any changes or abnormalities immediately to supervisor for further medical attention if needed.
Trained 10 puppies in basic obedience commands such as sit, stay & come; achieved 95% accuracy within 2 weeks’ time per pup on average with consistent reinforcement of positive behaviors during training sessions.

Skills

Animal Handling
Veterinary Care
Animal Nutrition
Animal Behavior
Animal Grooming
Kennel Maintenance
Animal First Aid
Animal Training
Animal Record Keeping

Education

High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Animal Care Attendant Certification
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (
May 2017

Related Resume Examples

All Examples

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary/objective should provide the employer with a snapshot of your experience and qualifications as an animal care attendant. You can use this section to highlight any special skills you have, such as pet first aid certification or knowledge of animal behavior. You could also mention how many years’ experience you have in caring for animals, the types of animals you’ve worked with, and any awards or recognition that demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent care.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Enthusiastic animal care attendant with 5+ years of hands-on experience working in shelters and pet stores. Skilled in animal handling, kennel cleaning, and providing general medical attention to animals. At XYZ Animal Shelter, successfully administered medications and vaccinations for 1000 cats/dogs over two years. Received a “Best Caretaker” award from the shelter director for exemplary service towards pets in need of homes.

Reliable and compassionate animal care attendant with 5+ years of experience in providing quality care for a variety of animals. Highly skilled in handling, grooming and exercising cats, dogs, horses and small pets. Adept at giving routine medical treatments such as vaccinations and administering medications when needed. Proven ability to build strong relationships with owners by offering friendly customer service.

Committed animal care attendant with 5+ years of experience providing exceptional service to pet owners. Skilled in handling and administering medication, grooming pets, cleaning cages, and monitoring animal behavior. Proven record of success in helping animals become healthier and happier through special attention to their needs. Looking forward to joining ABC Pet Care as a member of the team.

Hard-working animal care attendant with 8+ years of experience in providing high-quality care for animals. At ABC, consistently exceeded all animal health and wellbeing standards while ensuring the cleanliness of cages and enclosures according to industry regulations. Adept at handling a wide range of domestic pets, from cats to horses, as well as exotic species such as snakes and lizards.

Skilled Animal Care Attendant with 5+ years of experience providing quality care in a veterinary clinic. At ABC, cared for over 500 dogs and cats daily, including bathing, feeding, cleaning cages/kennels and administering medications. Recognized for exceptional customer service by several clients. Highly experienced with exotic species such as birds, reptiles and small mammals.

Energetic and experienced animal care attendant with 6+ years of experience providing excellent, compassionate care for a variety of animals. Seeking to join ABC Animal Shelter as an animal care attendant and contribute my expertise in daily cleaning and maintenance duties, administering medications, monitoring health conditions, and performing minor grooming tasks.

Diligent and reliable animal care attendant with 5+ years of experience providing quality and compassionate care to a variety of animals. Seeking an opportunity at ABC Animal Hospital where I can utilize my expertise in administering medication, performing basic grooming procedures, monitoring vital signs, and preparing nutritious meals for the patients.

Driven and compassionate animal care attendant with experience providing medical and preventative care for a variety of animals. Seeking to provide exceptional service at ABC Pet Care Center by developing relationships between clients, staff members, and pets. At XYZ Clinic, successfully administered medications to over 200 cats in the last year alone.

2. Experience / Employment

In the experience/employment/work history section, you should list your jobs in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent job is listed first.

When writing about what you did, stick to bullet points and provide detail on what tasks were performed and the results achieved. For example, instead of saying “Cared for animals,” say something like “Provided daily care for over 50 cats and dogs including feeding, grooming, walking/exercising them; successfully reduced animal stress levels by 20% within 3 months.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Monitored
Exercised
Groomed
Socialized
Cleaned
Medicated
Assisted
Bathed
Observed
Restrained
Trained
Walked
Handled

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Assessed
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Bathed and groomed over 30 animals daily, ensuring that their coats and fur were kept clean; reduced flea infestations by 15%.
Independently reorganized the animal care facility’s storage system to maximize space usage; saved $1,000 in shelving equipment costs.
Improved nutrition plans for each individual animal based on breed and size requirements; cut food expenses by 20% annually.
Monitored all pets’ health conditions and administered vaccinations as per vet instructions to ensure good overall wellbeing of the animals under care at all times.
Provided basic training commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘come here’ to dozens of cats & dogs while they underwent rehabilitation sessions every week with visible results within a few weeks.

Reduced animal health risks by 95% through regularly administered vaccinations, deworming and flea treatments.
Presented medical information to clients in an easy-to-understand manner, helping them make informed decisions about their pet’s care needs.
Thoroughly monitored the vitals and behavior of over 200 animals on a daily basis; evaluated changes quickly and took appropriate actions promptly when necessary.
Restrained animals using muzzles or harnesses as needed during grooming sessions & veterinary exams while ensuring minimal discomfort for the animal at all times.
Mentored other staff members on proper handling techniques & best practices related to providing optimal care for each type of animal housed in the facility; lowered stress levels among both workers and pets significantly within 6 months.

Monitored health and behaviors of over 200 animals on a daily basis, ensuring that all their needs were met in accordance with the facility’s safety standards.
Confidently handled large and small mammals such as tigers, monkeys, snakes and other reptiles safely; reduced aggressive behavior incidences by 25%.
Revised animal care protocols to improve operational efficiency while providing better quality of life for the animals; increased adoption rate by 10% within 3 months.
Represented the organization at local community events to increase awareness about proper pet ownership practices & responsible animal stewardship habits among young children.
Utilized positive reinforcement techniques when training pets for basic commands such as sit/stay/come; improved obedience success rates from 30% to 70%.

Spearheaded the care of 40+ animals daily, administering medications and vaccinations while ensuring their health and safety; reduced hospitalization due to medical negligence by 30%.
Exercised the pets regularly in a safe environment and supervised playtime activities; increased average agility scores by 25% within 6 months.
Optimized animal comfort through providing adequate space, fresh food & water, toys, bedding materials and appropriate shelter; decreased stress levels among the pet population by 15%.
Proficiently handled grooming tasks for dogs such as haircuts, nail trims and bathing; completed 50+ bathes with zero reported incidents or complaints from customers over 8-month period.
Coordinated adoption fairs at local businesses to showcase adoptable cats/dogs seeking homes; successfully placed 20 animals into loving families within 3 months of joining program.

Medicated over 300 animals with vaccinations and routine treatments, resulting in a 20% reduction of disease-related cases.
Introduced new feeding routines to over 200 dogs and cats that resulted in improved health status within 4 weeks.
Substantially reduced wait times for pet owners by streamlining the check-in process; decreased average waiting time from 45 minutes to 25 minutes per visit.
Expedited medical procedures such as sterilization surgeries by 15%, increasing efficiency of animal care services while reducing costs associated with labor and supplies used during operations/treatments.
Advised over 150 pet owners on best practices regarding diet & nutrition, exercise plans, behavioral training techniques, preventive healthcare measures and other topics related to responsible pet ownership; lowered incidence of return visits due to avoidable ailments by 10%.

Observed and monitored the health and well-being of over 50 animals in a wildlife sanctuary, achieving an average satisfaction rating of 4.5/5 from visitors for their care and protection.
Consistently provided high-quality physical healthcare services to all the animals; reduced medical expenses by 20% through preventive measures such as vaccinations and parasite treatments.
Achieved 95% success rate when rehabilitating sick or injured animals back into their natural environment; released 25+ healthy species into local habitats last year alone.
Assessed animal behavior on a daily basis, identifying any signs of distress or aggression immediately; successfully rehabilitated 5 aggressive dogs before adoption with zero incidents reported since then.
Socialized rescued cats & kittens by playing with them regularly, helping them build trust around humans while increasing adoptability rates by 30%.

Formulated comprehensive care plans for up to 20 animals daily, ensuring proper nutrition, exercise and medical interventions were provided accordingly.
Competently handled feeding, grooming and exercising of a variety of domestic and wild animals; reduced animal escape incidents by 45%.
Prepared individualized diets based on specific nutritional requirements; monitored intake closely to ensure optimal health was maintained in all creatures under supervision.
Structured playtime activities that encouraged physical stimulation and socialization amongst the animals; increased overall well-being by 25% during 6 months tenure in role.
Developed relationships with pet owners through educational seminars & one-on-one consultations, increasing customer satisfaction ratings by 10%.

3. Skills

Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may be looking for someone with experience in handling exotic animals, while Organization XYZ may need a candidate who is knowledgeable about administering medications.

It’s important to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for as many employers use applicant tracking systems these days. These computer programs scan resumes for certain keywords and filter out those they deem not to be a good fit.

In addition to listing relevant skills here, it would also benefit you greatly if you discussed them further elsewhere on your resume – such as in the summary or experience sections.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Animal Behavior
Animal First Aid
Animal Grooming
Animal Handling
Animal Nutrition
Animal Record Keeping
Animal Training
Animal Welfare Regulations
Kennel Maintenance
Veterinary Care

4. Education

Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, it is important to include an education section below your resume objective. However, if you have been working as an animal care attendant for a while and want to showcase the relevant skills you’ve developed over time, omitting this section may be beneficial.

If including an education section, try to mention courses related to animal care that could help demonstrate why you would make a great candidate for the job.

High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a particular field. They can also be used to show potential employers that you are committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

When applying for jobs, make sure you include any certifications relevant to the position on your resume. This will help set you apart from other applicants who may not have taken the time or effort to obtain such credentials.

Animal Care Attendant Certification
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Watson Donnelly, this would be Watson-Donnelly-resume.pdf or Watson-Donnelly-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter can be an important part of the job application process. It is a document consisting of 2 to 4 paragraphs that complement your resume and give recruiters more insight into what you can bring to the role.

Cover letters are not required for most jobs, however they provide potential employers with additional information about who you are as a professional and why you would make an ideal candidate for their position. Submitting one gives you the opportunity to stand out from other applicants and improve your chances of success.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Hiram,

I am writing to apply for the animal care attendant position at your clinic. As an animal lover with a strong interest in providing quality care, I am confident that I would excel in this role.

In my previous job as a veterinary assistant, I gained experience caring for a variety of animals and performing basic medical procedures. I have also volunteered at the local animal shelter for over two years, where I have gained experience handling animals of all sizes and temperaments. My patience and compassion are two of my strongest assets when working with animals, and I am confident that I can provide the high level of care that your clients expect.

Additionally, I have experience cleaning cages and kennels, preparing food and feeding schedules, administering medication, and exercising animals. My ability to follow instructions carefully ensures that each animal receives the specific care they need according to their individual needs. My keen eye for detail also allows me to quickly notice any changes in an animal’s appearance or behavior so that necessary action can be taken immediately.

The combination of my hands-on experience and compassionate nature makes me confident that I would be a valuable asset on your team. Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my qualifications or suitability for this position.

Sincerely,

Watson