Animal lovers have a whole load of work opportunities. If you want to care for or work with animals, there are many jobs out there. But how do you know where to start?
In the following guide, we take a look at the best jobs for animal lovers and how to get started.
How you can work with animals
Working with animals is a genuine option. Whether you want to work in animal welfare or even animal behaviour, the truth of the matter is that there are loads of options out there. Figuring out which one is right for you is the first step on this ongoing journey.
If you love animals, you may want to get started by undertaking some internships. That way, you can work out how you want to work with animals going forward. When you have finished your studies, you may wish to look at local aquariums, zoos, an animal shelter, or even wildlife centres.
Alternatively, you may take some animal care courses or animal welfare courses. In the following guide, we will take a look at how you can work with animals. Many of these roles are hands-on and allow you to help animals directly.
Vet or Vet Assistant
Veterinary clinics are an obvious place to start if you want to work with animals. In Ireland, vets make an average of €44,989 per year. However, it takes many years of schooling to become a fully-qualified vet. If you still want to work in this sector but don’t have the time to train for that period, you may want to become a veterinary assistant. You can get started with vet assistant courses or specialise with a Diploma in Veterinary Assistant & Animal Welfare to help you learn about the sector and opportunities.
The role of a veterinary assistant is extremely varied. You will find yourself helping the vet with their everyday tasks, prepping the animals for the theatre, seeing to injured animals, and helping out with veterinary medicine.
If you work your way up in this career and gain the proper qualifications, you may find that you can become a veterinary nurse or even a veterinary surgeon.
Animal Care Worker
Thinking about taking some animal care courses? If you love animals and want a job working with them, this may be a savvy place to start. There are many types of jobs where you can work directly with animals and care for their welfare.
For example, you may become an animal care worker or even a wildlife rehabilitator. In all of these roles, you will be responsible for looking after animals and giving them the care they need.
Zookeeper
Zoology is a rich and fulfilling career. You can get started in this field by taking some zoology courses in the first instance. Once you have done that, you will need to get some work experience in the sector. That will give you the hands-on knowledge and training that you need. On average, zookeepers make a salary of €31,400. However, you can make more money if you choose to stay in this career and add to your ever-expanding skill-set.
If you want to become a zoologist, you may have to get a bachelor’s degree in the subject. There are many options to study animals or even gain a role working with animals. You may find yourself looking after the animals everyday welfare, feeding, and training them
Pet Shop Assistant
If you’re looking for an entry-level job working with animals, you may want to become a pet shop assistant. Working in a shop can make you an average of €10.33 per hour. This may be the perfect place to start your career path. You will have the opportunity to look after animals, feed them, and take care of their basic needs. You could also advise pet owners on the best ways to look after the animals that they purchase from the shop.
In the long term, this work experience may open the door to similar jobs working with animals. For example, you may want to look at jobs in an animal shelter, an animal care facility, or even work with wild animals. The truth of the matter is that there are a great many jobs for animal lovers. You can learn more by taking an animal care course or can move into a more qualified role after using your experience to take on a Certificate in Dog & Pet Grooming.
Dog Groomer
Are you a pet owner who loves dogs? If the answer is yes, you may want to become a dog groomer or dog trainer. This role will see you work directly with man’s best friend on a daily basis. You will need to gain knowledge and qualifications if you want to become a pet groomer. For example, you could get started by taking some dog grooming courses online.
Taking a Diploma in Dog Grooming can give you the skills you need to oversee the practical elements of your business, whilst a Dog Grooming Business Pathway course can give you the ability to use those skills to run a full-time dog grooming business.
Other Jobs with Animals
Looking for something else? There are yet more jobs for animal lovers that you may not have considered. With the right qualifications, bachelor’s degree, or doctorate degree, you may be able to take on the following jobs working with animals:
Be sure to look into all of your options before you settle on a career that works for you. The more work experience you get in your chosen sector, the better chances you have.
As you can see from this guide, there are plenty of jobs for animal lovers available. Now that you know what some of the options are, why not start planning your professional future? Educating yourself and getting the experience you need are great places to start. Take a look at some of our online courses and see which ones fit the bill here.
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