Animal Technician   

Career Overview

An animal technician is often referred to as an animal care technician. As the name implies they are used in laboratory, veterinary and other facilities to care for research animals, pets or animals brought into or housed within the facility.

The animals can be research animals such as rats, mice, rabbits or even primates or cats and dogs. Veterinary-based animal technicians are more likely to deal with domestic animals such as dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, reptiles and possibly even some primates.

Animal technicians are responsible for the intake of the animals, caging, monitoring, feeding and caring for the animals either in a laboratory setting, zoo, research facility or vet clinic. The animal assistant is required to have a good working knowledge of how to handle various animals as well as basic animal husbandry, care and feeding of the various types and species of animals under their care.

The job involves working directly with the vet or under the vet’s supervision to draw blood, perform various medical analysis and tests as well. The animal technician may also be responsible for maintaining the cages, keeping the lab or clinic free from contaminants as well as monitoring any health concerns or possible risks for animals within the facility. Quarantine and managing and following standard operating procedures with regards to various animals and health concerns is also under the jurisdiction of an animal health technician.