Fed up with your job? Do you need to decide which path to take in your future? Do you love animals and would like to take care of them?
You’ve come to the place you’ve been looking for because today we offer you 5 incredible opportunities to work with animals.
It happens that you are tired of the usual life, that you want to change everything and regain contact with nature, to do a different profession and, why not, take some risks. If you love hours spent with your dog or understand the looks of your cat, you might consider starting a new activity that keeps you in constant contact with animals.
The advantages of having a job in contact with animals are many:
- better health
- greater emotional satisfaction
- having a job of one’s own
The choices in this field are numerous and the payoff for doing something you love could be surprising.
With not too high an initial investment, it is possible to set up a small business and grow it over time.
Obviously you have to be qualified for such delicate jobs, but the more you study, the better you will be paid!
Here is a list of possible jobs that not only allow you to work with animals, but can also lead you to success.
Veterinary Assistant
This job is an excellent starting point especially for younger people who are deciding to undertake studies that will later lead them to more prestigious activities such as a veterinary career or zoology.
The veterinary assistant is responsible for carrying out the orders given by a veterinarian or a veterinary technician: assisting with medical procedures, taking care of an animal in convalescence, interacting with the animal’s owner when he or she has questions, and taking care of reception and cleaning. Currently in UK, you will need to first gain the level three diploma from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Veterinarian
One of the most rewarding professions to work with animals is undoubtedly that of a veterinarian.
This job is also best suited to those who are building their professional lives because it requires in-depth training and years of experience in a related field. To become a veterinarian, one must obtain a degree in Veterinary approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and to enter the course one must pass interviews and screening tests as places are limited.
This route is ideal to take if you are looking to pursue a career in animal medicine and have the opportunity to train full time for about 7 years.
Dog-walker
Dog-walking can be done in different ways.
You can choose to do it part-time, on weekends to supplement your work as a student or worker, or you can make it a full-time profession or even, thanks to new technologies, create a network of dog-walkers in your area.
This is a job that allows you full autonomy: you can decide to do it only at certain times of the day or be flexible according to the demands of your clients. In large cities you can easily go to large public parks and find suitable places for walking and running. This will also allow you to make new contacts with other dog-walkers or owners who may call you if needed.
Research how much the business makes in the place where you live and then advertise with ads, flyers or social media posts. There are also apps and sites where you can sign up, create your profile and promote your services.
Pet-sitter
This work combines dog-walking with feeding, moisturising, brushing, basic cleaning, playing and sometimes sleeping with the pet.
It is not limited to caring for the dog, but also for the cat, canary and any other species you want to include in the list. Always assess the character and temperament of the animal well before taking it on, have a preliminary meeting and socialise it. For cats, it is preferable to go to where they usually live rather than change their environment.
If you own pets, you should discuss your situation with the client during the initial interview and also arrange a meeting with the animals.
Given the many responsibilities, it is a well-paid job that could allow you to earn up to EUR 50 per day per animal. Of course you will not be able to keep more than one if you live in 40 square metres! It would also be better to do some short training as an educator before entering this profession or some apprenticeship in shelters such as kennels and catteries.
Again, you need to research what the average cost in the area is for these services before deciding on the rate, which can be hourly or daily if overnight accommodation is required. There are agencies you can register with or websites that advertise this type of service, such as Pawshake.
Groomer
Being a groomer offers a great opportunity to become a successful entrepreneur.
You can choose to offer the service at home or run your business from home.
However, starting a business like this is not simply a matter of buying a few items: brushes and combs, nail clippers, pet shampoos and conditioners, pet ear care and nail clippers. You need to know how to interact and behave properly, and for that you need to take at least a basic course like the one at our Academy.
This job also gives you the opportunity to work for a company: an option to consider in order to gain experience and get references before opening your own business.
If you have never tried this before, we recommend that you first practise on your own animals or offer to look after a friend’s pet. In our shop you will find everything you need to get started: trimming, shampooing, nail and ear cleaning supplies.
Read more about How to become a professional groomer
Reflections
Overall, there are endless opportunities to work with animals.
Some careers allow for self-employment while others require years of schooling.
Regardless of the path you choose to take, there are many ways to stay close to your four-legged friends. One such option is to volunteer. There are so many animals that need our help and love and are in the street next to ours but also on the other side of the world. In this article you can find several hints.
Whether you choose to work with animals or for animals, the important thing is that you enjoy the journey!
