Directory of Semiskilled Trades

Sector : 02 - Agriculture and Fisheries Info

8801 Attendant-Pet Care

M801
Field of application Pet care attendants work in retail pet shops, animal shelters, short- or long-term boarding kennels, breeding kennels, dog training schools and veterinary establishments.
Other job titles Kennel attendant, animal attendant.

830101 - Maintain the living quarters of animals 1

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Observance of standard operating procedures or the Guide des pratiques généralement reconnues (GPGR)
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Proper use of equipment and cleaning products
  • Order and cleanliness
  • Confidence in handling animals and birds

Tasks

  • Clean (pick up excrement, remove shavings or litter if necessary, wash the walls, floors and fencing of interior or exterior enclosures, or wash the cages, replace shavings or litter if necessary, wash the troughs and feeders, etc.) and disinfect cages and enclosures for dogs, cats and other small pets.
  • Clean (remove paper or absorbent material from the bottom of cages, wash the cages and scrape the bars, replace the paper or material, wash the troughs and feeders, etc.) and disinfect the bird cages. Optional task or competency
  • Clean (remove debris from the bottom of the cages, wash the bottom of the cages, replace grass or any other material, wash the troughs and feeders, etc.) and disinfect the vivariums. Optional task or competency
  • Put away equipment and cleaning products.

830102 - Maintain public areas 1

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Proper use of equipment and cleaning products
  • Order and cleanliness

Tasks

  • Sweep and wash walkways, entrances, etc.
  • Make sure the outside areas are clean.
  • Sweep and wash the training rooms. Optional task or competency
  • Do minor repairs (replace hooks, bars, heating lamps, bulbs, etc.). Optional task or competency
  • Help reorganize the living quarters. Optional task or competency
  • Put away equipment and cleaning products.

830103 - Attend to the basic needs of dogs, cats or other small mammals 2

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Observance of standard operating procedures or the Guide des pratiques généralement reconnues (GPGR)
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Observance of frequency for providing care
  • Staying within the limits of the occupation
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Confidence in handling animals
  • Animals in good condition

Tasks

  • Feed the animals (read the diet, measure the food and distribute it).
  • Make sure water is available (fill the troughs, bottles, etc.).
  • Provide animals with routine hygienic care (brush or comb dogs and cats and wash them, clip their nails, handle rodents, etc.). Optional task or competency
  • Ensure the well-being of animals (walk dogs or bring them outside to play, give toys to dogs and cats, give chew sticks to rodents, etc.).
  • Identify signs of physical discomfort or behavioural problems (despondency, limping, aggressiveness, etc.), and notify the person in charge.

830104 - Attend to the basic needs of birds or reptiles Optional task or competency 2

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Observance of standard operating procedures or the Guide des pratiques généralement reconnues (GPGR)
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Observance of frequency for providing care
  • Staying within the limits of the occupation
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Confidence in handling birds or reptiles
  • Birds or reptiles in good condition

Tasks

  • Feed the birds or reptiles (read the diet, measure the grains or feed, and distribute it, etc.).
  • Make sure water is available (fill the water containers or bottles).
  • Identify signs of physical discomfort (excessive moulting, tremors, spots, loss of appetite, etc.) and notify the person in charge.

830105 - Attend to the basic needs of fish Optional task or competency 2

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Observance of frequency for providing care
  • Staying within the limits of the occupation
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Cleanliness of aquariums
  • Fish in good condition

Tasks

  • Feed the fish (read the diet; measure granules, flakes or feed; and distribute the food to the fish).
  • Clean aquariums (vacuum, scrape the glass, replace filters and foam blocks, wash stones, remove and replace dead plants, etc.).
  • Remove sick or dead fish. Optional task or competency
  • Under supervision, provide the fish with certain care such as administering medicine or adding solutions to the water, etc. Optional task or competency
  • Detect any other problems (white spots, erratic swimming, etc.), and notify the person in charge.

712 - Handle food and other products 1

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Observance of rules with respect to hazardous materials
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Proper use of materials-handling equipment
  • Concern for the safety of people and goods
  • Careful handling of products

Tasks

  • Choose the materials-handling equipment in accordance with the form and weight of the products.
  • Check the condition of the materials-handling equipment.
  • Lift boxes, bags, materials or any other cumbersome items and place them on the equipment.
  • Move products.
  • Place the products in the designated locations.
  • Detect any problems and notify the person in charge.

710 - Receive or help receive merchandise, raw materials, semi-finished products, etc. Optional task or competency 2

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Observance of rules with respect to hazardous materials
  • Compliance with quality standards
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Compliance with company policies
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Accurate data
  • Careful handling of merchandise

Tasks

  • Receive instructions from the person in charge about the delivery schedule and types of merchandise (food products, dry goods, animals, materials, hazardous materials, etc.).
  • Welcome the driver of the delivery vehicle.
  • Read over the delivery documents: check the delivery location, date and time.
  • Sign the shipping receipt.
  • Notify quality control so they can come and check the raw materials.
  • Cross-check the delivered merchandise against the ordered merchandise (type of merchandise, quantity, etc.).
  • Check the condition of the merchandise: do a visual inspection of the packaging or boxes, open a container, count the items, etc.
  • Apply the prescribed procedure if merchandise is damaged or does not comply.
  • Use an optical scanner to record the entry of the merchandise.
  • Fill out the administrative forms and send them to the department concerned or to the designated person.
  • Detect any problems and notify the person in charge.

81 - Display merchandise 1

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Accurate and visible labelling
  • Visibility of brand names
  • Compliance with display plan
  • Order and cleanliness

Tasks

  • Retrieve boxes and merchandise to be displayed. Optional task or competency
  • Assemble and disassemble islands, displays, shelves, etc. Optional task or competency
  • Clean shelves, islands, displays, etc.
  • Affix prices to products, shelves and displays.
  • Attach detector or antitheft devices. Optional task or competency
  • Place products on islands, displays, shelves, etc.
  • Remove expired or damaged merchandise.
  • Stack the merchandise. Optional task or competency
  • Prepare bulk merchandise. Optional task or competency
  • Set up or remove decorations. Optional task or competency
  • Notify the person in charge when inventories are low.

830106 - Serve customers in a pet shop, training school, animal shelter, kennel, etc. Optional task or competency 2

Performance criteria

  • Staying within the limits of the occupation
  • Courteous, efficient service
  • Relevant, accurate and clear information provided
  • Vigilance with respect to risky situations

Tasks

  • Greet customers.
  • Interpret customers’ requests.
  • Provide general information on taking care of animals and notify customers of the professional services offered.
  • Direct customers toward the product requested.
  • Handle animals or birds and place them in a box or container for transport.
  • Wrap or bag merchandise and hand it to the customer. Optional task or competency
  • Inspect the merchandise when a customer returns or exchanges it. Optional task or competency
  • Help customers place purchases in their cars. Optional task or competency
  • Detect various problems (shoplifting, etc.) and notify the person in charge.

830107 - Help veterinarians and animal health technicians Optional task or competency 2

Performance criteria

  • Observance of occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of hygiene and cleanliness rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Staying within the limits of the occupation
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Confidence in handling animals

Tasks

  • Wash the examination table, disinfect the materials and put away products.
  • Help immobilize animals.
  • Help the specialist apply a bandage or perform a nonsurgical procedure. Optional task or competency
  • Put away materials and products.
Info Optional competency or task. Competencies or tasks marked with this symbol are not required in all workplaces. They could be included in a student’s training plan if the practicum setting offers the opportunity for the student to apply them.