Careers Opportunities with Animals

If you love animals and know that you would like to work with them as a career, there are endless career paths that you can take. When most people think of working with animals, they think of veterinarians. While becoming a veterinarian is an excellent option, there are many other animal-related careers available. Some of these careers involve working directly with animals, while others consist of educating people about animals or working on a management level. Here are several excellent careers that involve animals:

Animal Cruelty Investigator: Investigators are the police officers of the animal world. They prevent cruelty and neglect to animals by conducting investigations and teaching others about animal welfare. They issue summons for cruelty cases, and are responsible for maintaining evidence and court documents. As rewarding as it can be to save hurt animals, keep in mind that not all animals can be saved and animal cruelty investigators often see horrible cases of cruelty and neglect.

Veterinary Technician: Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians, but their job does not require nearly as many years of schooling. They give medication, prepare animals for surgery, clean and feed animals at their clinic, do emergency first aid, and analyze laboratory results. They often work with people, including other veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and the owners of the pets they are caring for. In order to become a veterinary technician, a Bachelor's degree in biological science or an Associate degree in Veterinary technology is required.

Adoption Counselor: Adoption counselors help potential adopters find a pet that suits them. They interview potential adopters, give them information on different types of animals and breeds, teach them how to properly care for and train their new pet, and introduce them to animals that may suit them. Adoption counselors mainly work with people, so good communication and people skills are a must. They also need to be able to work as part of a team, have an understanding of animals welfare issues, and have a minimum of a high school diploma.

Kennel Technician: Kennel technicians work directly with the animals, ensuring that their daily needs are met. This involves feeding and watering the animals and cleaning their kennels each day. They examine, vaccinate, and tag each animal to prepare them for adoption, and report any signs of illness or other problems to a supervisor.

This person provides humane care of sheltered animals by feeding, cleaning and maintaining kennel facilities and providing information regarding animal care and department services. They also update the kennel's records and maintain cleaning equipment. This is a routine job; kennel technicians usually do the same things every day. This job is often hard, dirty, and smelly; however, there are few jobs that involve working with animals so closely as kennel technicians do.

Behavior Instructor: Some behavior instructors work with pet owners to teach them how to train their animals. Others work with abused or neglected animals to rehabilitate them and prepare them for adoption. Many behavior instructors teach dog and puppy obedience classes, while others work with cats, horses, and practically any other sort of pet. All behavior instructors use positive reinforcement to train animals and rid them of behavioral problems. One of the most famous behavior instructors in the world is Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. This is another job that works hands-on with animals, but behavior instructors must also be able to work well with people.

Groomer: Groomers get the chance to work with different cats and dogs every day. There are many places that groomers can work: shelters, veterinary clinics, pet stores, and private practices. Groomers brush, bathe, and trim the hair and nails of dogs and cats to keep them healthy, clean, and looking nice. Besides working with animals, groomers also clean equipment and help customers. A certificate from a grooming program is required to become a licensed groomer.

Wildlife Conservation Officer: Wildlife conservation officers, also known as game wardens, enforce the laws and regulations regarding fishing, trapping, and hunting. Most officers patrol a specific area, and spend their time ensuring that laws are not being violated and investigating reports of violations. They also assist in the prosecution of criminal charges against violators. Officers also educate people about wildlife, and are involved with habitat preservation, species propagation, and field research. They try to stop the destruction and pollution of ecological communities.

Wildlife Management Biologist: These biologists study wildlife to ensure that all native species are kept in equilibrium. They study the distribution and profusion of animal species, and work to keep the animals in their native habitats. For instance, Wildlife management biologists put wolves back in Yellowstone National Park years after they had been wiped out. These biologist also suggest what seasonal game regulations should be set into place to ensure that the amount of each animal species is kept in balance.

These are only eight of the vast possibilities for animal careers. Here is a list containing many of the fields and jobs involving animals:

Medicine: Research veterinarian, veterinarian, veterinary technician

Care and Conservation of Wildlife: Biologist, conservation officer, cooperative extension agent, ecologist, educator, environmental management, environmental chemistry, forestry/park ranger, interpretive naturalist, natural resources management, wildlife rehabilitator

Pets: Animal behavior, outreach programs, therapy, psychology

Zoos: Director, supervisor, keeper, habitat specialist, research

Animal Training: Training (for work, the entertainment industry, and obedience training), volunteer, SPCA, camps, 4-H, field research, future farmers, humane societies, parks, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, nature centers

General Areas: Agriculture and natural resources, education, environmental sciences, fisheries and wildlife sciences, psychology, science technology, and law (animal welfare and environmental)

Even this list does not contain all of the available careers; there are so many possibilities! Do research on a career that appeals to you, then determine whether it suits you, based on your goals, your strengths and weaknesses, and other factors. Last of all, whatever you decide to do, enjoy doing it!