Animal caretaker: tasks and pay
See what employers are looking for. Discover which jobs fit you in the app.
As an animal caretaker you look after the daily wellbeing of animals. You feed, shear and groom them, make sure they get enough exercise and keep their enclosures clean. You also welcome customers, answer the phone and keep files up to date. Depending on the employer you work as a caretaker in an animal boarding facility, as an animal shelter assistant or as a pet sitter who looks after animals at home. The job suits people who love working outdoors and being around animals all day. In Flanders you find openings in animal parks, shelters, boarding kennels, catteries and dog hotels, from small family businesses to larger teams.
Typical tasks
- Care for and feed animals on a fixed schedule
- Maintain animal enclosures and monitor hygiene
- Organise the housing of the animals
- Teach animals everyday routines
- Care for sick animals or animals that need extra help
- Record data and keep track of supplies
Required skills
- Patience and a good feel for animal behaviour
- Physical fitness for outdoor work and work on your feet
- Hygienic and precise way of working
- Customer-friendly attitude at the desk and on the phone
- Basic administrative skills for files and stock
What does a animal caretaker earn?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €14 to €18 gross per hour. Weekend shifts and early starts in boarding facilities or animal parks can add premiums. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
How to apply via Werkvolk?
- Download the appInstall the free Werkvolk app for iOS or Android.
- Set your preferencesAdd your experience and where you want to work. Then explore jobs in the app.
- Chat with employersOn a match you talk directly to the employer, no middleman.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about applying via Werkvolk.
What does an animal caretaker do?
An animal caretaker feeds, shears and grooms animals and makes sure they get enough exercise. You maintain the enclosures, monitor hygiene and teach animals everyday routines. On top of that you welcome customers, answer the phone and keep files and stock up to date.
How much does an animal caretaker earn in Belgium?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €14 to €18 gross per hour. Weekend shifts and early starts in boarding facilities or animal parks can add premiums. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
What is the difference between an animal caretaker and a cat sitter?
A cat sitter looks after cats at the owner's home or their own, often as a side activity. An animal caretaker works more broadly: you care for several animal species in a shelter, boarding facility, park or zoo and you are also responsible for housing, hygiene and administration.
Is there demand for animal caretakers in Flanders?
Demand is steady, especially at boarding facilities, shelters and animal parks. Around holiday periods, pensions and pet sitting services often look for extra hands. If you are flexible and comfortable with several animal species, you usually find a spot without much trouble.
Which diplomas or certificates do you need as an animal caretaker?
A specific diploma is usually not required. Training in animal care or hands-on experience with animals is a strong plus, certainly in animal parks and shelters. Some employers ask for proof of practical experience or provide an internal training programme.
Could this be your match?
A vacancy only tells part of the story. Discover how your skills, work style and commute fit a job in the Werkvolk app.
Free for candidates