Will AI replace Animal Caretakers?

AI can do 14% of the work Animal Caretakers do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 4 of them. Robots can technically handle 7 physical tasks. 11 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next4 · 14% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities.4% of time
  • Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake.4% of time
  • Answer telephones and schedule appointments.3% of time
  • Find homes for stray or unwanted animals.3% of time

Robots can technically do this7 · 58% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.Robots: purpose built settings23% of time
  • Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.Robots: purpose built settings15% of time
  • Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.Robots: purpose built settings11% of time
  • Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Clean and disinfect surgical equipment.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time

Still needs a person11 · 28% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears.7% of time
  • Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.6% of time
  • Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.4% of time
  • Discuss with clients their pets' grooming needs.1% of time
  • Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.1% of time
  • Anesthetize and inoculate animals, according to instructions.1% of time
  • Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate breeding, birthing, shipping, or rearrangement of exhibits.1% of time
  • Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment, such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.1% of time
  • Train animals to perform certain tasks.1% of time
  • Sell pet food and supplies.1% of time
  • Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets' health.1% of time

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What this means

Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 58% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 4 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 7 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 11 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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