We are a nation of animal lovers, make no mistake. And as if our obsession with all things four-legged and furry wasn’t fervent enough, it’s recently been reported that first time pet ownership rocketed during lockdown, with people seeking solace in the warmth and affection of animals during increasingly hard times.
If lockdown also had you contemplating a career change, then have you considered using your love for animals to your advantage and seeking a job working closely with them?
Don’t be perturbed by the fact that veterinary school takes 5 years to complete; there are plenty of other jobs within the industry that allow you to learn on the job in real-time, all while cuddling loads of furry little friends!
With that in mind, here are 8 job ideas that allow you to work with animals without going to veterinary school.
CLERICAL VETERINARY POSITIONS
If you’re keen to work in a veterinary practice but going through five years of veterinary school isn’t feasible right now, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there are clerical and admin roles aplenty available at the vet’s. These include practice managers and receptionists, as well as practice secretaries and personal assistants to the veterinarians working there.
VETERINARY CARE ASSISTANT
If you’d prefer to be doing something more ‘hands on’ within a veterinary practice, then consider becoming a veterinary care assistant. This is an exciting role where no two days are the same, and you get to be up close and personal with the animals regularly!
Some of the key responsibilities of a veterinary care assistant include feeding, grooming and exercising hospitalised animals (referred to as inpatients), monitoring those inpatients, cleaning the animal’s accommodation and even helping calm them down and soothe them before they undergo treatment.
A FARM HAND
If you’re more comfortable taking care of healthy animals rather than sick ones, and would relish the chance to work outdoors, too, then have you considered the variety of job opportunities available on a farm?
As with most professions, there is clerical work involved in the running of a farm, but if you’re keen to get your hands dirty, then a farm worker (often referred to as a ‘farm hand’) could be the role for you.
Some of the key responsibilities involved in farm work include feeding and caring for livestock, treating animals and keeping their living quarters clean to prevent disease, milking cows, shearing sheep and liaising with the head farmer about any issues the animals might be having.
PET SHOP MANAGER
For an invigorating mix of hands-on work with animals and organisational, administrative duties, have you considered the role of pet shop manager? Day-to-day responsibilities of this role include stock management (primarily of pet equipment, but also the animals themselves!), budget management and staffing.
On top of that, a pet shop manager is responsible for the welfare of all the animals in their store, so you’ll need to be versatile and knowledgeable in the needs of pet fish, reptiles, small mammals and birds. This role requires previous experience, so you might want to consider getting a job on the floor of a pet shop first, before taking on an assistant manager’s role to gain the necessary grounding required for the next step up into a managerial position.
VETERINARY PHARMACEUTICAL SALES REP
A veterinary pharmaceutical sales representative will market new drugs to veterinary practices and hospitals, as well as pet mobility equipment, medical aids and other products that vets use on a regular basis.
Though the job won’t have you cuddling up with animals regularly, you’ll be working within the industry and can enjoy some comfort knowing that you’re helping pets all over the country stay fit and healthy. The role requires strong people skills and demands plenty of time on the road, but when considering jobs in animal health, the salary represents one of the most lucrative ones within the industry.
A ZOOLOGIST ASSISTANT
Or, perhaps you’ve got designs on working with bigger, wilder animals? If so, the UK has 48 zoos and 6 safari parks regularly in need of zoologists and zookeepers.
To become a zoologist, a role that sees experts study animal behaviour, you’ll usually need a degree in zoology, animal ecology, conservation or environmental biology, which will take you at least three years to complete. If that’s too long a timeframe, then you could become a zoologist’s assistant, learning on the job about this fascinating subject.
An assistant zoologist will get the chance to study animals in their natural habitats as well as in captivity, monitor different animal species and behaviours, record findings and even help support in the writing of groundbreaking journals and scientific studies. As such, it’s a role that requires a keen grasp of both science and written English.
DOGWALKER
Getting paid to hang out with dogs all day? It’s an animal lover’s dream! You don’t need any formal training or qualifications to become a dog walker, just a love of canines. To become a dog walker, you can work for a dedicated business or branch out on your own and become an independent walker.
The money’s pretty good, too! The Guardian reports that dog walkers earn a fifth more than the average UK salary. Moreover, they work less than half the average hours, and get plenty of exercise doing so.
VOLUNTEER FOR AN ANIMAL CHARITY
Should you be looking to continue in your current career but want to help animals in your free time, then there are several animal charities that warmly receive volunteers. These include:
- The RSPCA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the largest animal welfare charity in the UK
- The Blue Cross, which provides support for pet owners who can’t afford private veterinary treatment
- The RSPB (the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
- The National Animal Welfare Trust, helping to rehome animals across the South of England
It should be noted that while certainly rewarding, volunteering for an animal charity can lead you to some distressing, harrowing situations. Be prepared for this.