6129 Animal care services occupations n.e.c

In short

• ONS unit group 6129, in minor group 612 (Animal care and control services) and major group 6 (Caring, leisure and other service occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Job holders in this unit group care for animals held in kennels, stables, zoos and similar establishments, provide specialised training, grooming, clipping and trimming services for animals, and searches for and captures stray or nuisance dogs in public areas and perform a variety of animal care tasks not elsewhere classified in minor group 612: Animal care and control services.

Typical entry routes

Entry is possible without formal academic qualifications, although some employers may ask for GCSEs/S grades. There is a variety of vocational qualifications available, including NVQs/SVQs in Animal Care at levels 1 and 2, in Dog Grooming at levels 2 and 3, and BTEC qualifications and apprenticeships relating to Horse Care.

Tasks

• feeds, washes, grooms, trims and exercises animals
• cleans animals’ quarters and renews bedding as necessary
• houses, feeds, exercises, trains, grooms horses, dogs and other animals in preparation for entry to shows, races and other events
• checks animals for illness, treats minor ailments or calls for vet if further treatment is required
• meets prospective owners and advises on animal selection and animal care
• patrols public areas to search for and capture stray or nuisance dogs, and transports captured animals to kennels
• work alongside veterinary surgeons and nurses to provide vital nursing care to ensure the wellbeing of animal patients

Related job titles

• Animal technician
• Canine beautician
• Dog walker
• Groom
• Kennel assistant
• Stable hand
• Veterinary nursing assistant

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

6129 Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Animal boarding assistants
• Animal breeders
• Animal groomers
• Animal trainers (excludes performing animals)
• Animal walkers
• Animal welfare workers
• Stable workers
• Veterinary assistants
• Zookeepers
• Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

6129 Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

6139

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Animal boarding assistants
• Animal breeders
• Animal groomers
• Animal trainers (excludes performing animals)
• Animal walkers
• Animal welfare workers
• Stable workers
• Veterinary assistants
• Zookeepers
• Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 612

• 6121 Pest controllers

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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