Animal Groomer Careers Information
Animal Groomers use their specialized training to keep our pets looking their best by brushing and trimming coats as well as cleaning ears and cutting nails. While such grooming is a luxury for many pet owners, animal groomer careers often play an important role in the health and happiness of our pets. They keep pets cool in the warm months by trimming thick coats and remove tangles, long nails, and even parasites that might otherwise become uncomfortable for the animal.
Groomers are often the first to notice health issues with the pet since they are going over the entire animal’s body when grooming. Thus, they are often able to refer sick animals to veterinarians in time for successful treatment.
Animal groomers may own their own shop or travel to owners’ homes. The second method is becoming increasing popular with owners who wish to save time and ease the stress for their animals. Groomers may also work for shelters or larger animal facilities.
Some groomers become experts in the field and use their skills to prepare purebred animals for competitions. Though there are relatively few of these animal groomers as compared to the total, they are able to earn a high level of prestige when their animals, very often dogs, take home the blue ribbon.
Animal Groomer Careers Path
Most groomers simply learn the trade from a more experienced groomer, though there are schools available which teach grooming skills in programs that last anywhere from 2 to 18 weeks. Certification as a master canine groomer can be earned from the National Dog Groomers Association of America by passing exams and showing practical skills. This certification is not required, but can be used to prove professional acknowledgement of skills to prospective clients.
Animal Groomer Careers Compatible Personality Traits
Love for animals, people person, gentle, flexible, willing to work in a variety of settings, patient, self-motivated, willing/able to conduct physical work, good with hands.
Animal Groomer Careers Salary Expectations
As a type of animal caretaker, the average salary for animal groomers is $19,360 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $16,720 and $24,300. Groomers with more experience, who can work with more types of animals, and who are willing to work on-site are likely to earn on the higher end of the pay scale.
Animal Groomer Careers Job Outlook
The job outlook for animal groomers is good. Because pet populations, especially dog populations, continue to grow and more owners nowadays treat their pets as members of the family, pet service needs will rise. This very importantly means grooming. Nonetheless, pet owners tend to spend more on their pets when the economy is strong and so groomers may have less business during times of recession. Those animal groomers with more experience and who have a mobile component to their grooming businesses should do the best.
Slightly off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos168.htm
