We’re huge animal lovers at PDSA, which is why we can totally understand why you’d want to work with animals! A lot of people just think of being a vet or vet nurse when they think of a job with animals, but there are actually lots of careers that can see you working directly with our four-legged friends.
We’ve taken a look at some of the jobs that can see you working with pets or other animals on a daily basis.
Vet or vet nurse
Of course we couldn’t have a list of animal-related jobs without first mentioning our amazing vets and vet nurses who work so hard every day helping poorly pets! Being a vet or vet nurse is a lot of work, but you’ll get to work directly with animals every day and help them to get better. It’s not always the most glamourous job, though, as a lot of our team can tell you!
How to become a vet or vet nurse: There are a few different pathways into each profession, but to be a vet you’ll need to be prepared to complete a five year course at University, or four years if you’ve already got a degree in a related subject, which will give you the Veterinary degree. To become a veterinary nurse you’ll need to put aside around three years to qualify, working in an approved training veterinary practice as well as studying at College or University. Take a look at our advice on how to become a vet and how to become a vet nurse for more information.
Be prepared for: Lots of hard work at all times of the day and night! Any job needs a lot of dedication and skill, but to be a vet or vet nurse you’ll need to show you’re committed through work experience and shadowing before you’ve even started training.
Animal care assistant
Rehoming centres and animal boarding facilities all need animal care assistants to take care of their residents and many vet practices (including PDSA!) will employ them as well. The job usually involves feeding the animals, cleaning out their pens, taking them for exercise and generally looking out for their health and wellbeing.
How to become an animal care assistant: Usually you’ll need a Diploma either through a college course or apprenticeship, but sometimes you can get into this work by volunteering and eventually gaining enough experience to apply for a full-time job.
Be prepared for: Long hours, night/weekend work and shift work. Taking care of animals in rescue centres and boarding facilities is a 24/7 responsibility so you might need to be on call overnight or work over the weekend.
Dog trainer or behaviourist
Whether you’re helping owners learn to train their dogs, or training dogs with a specific purpose in mind (such as for police work or to be assistance dogs), being a dog trainer is all about learning how dogs behave, why and how to train them.
How to become a dog trainer: There are lots of paths to becoming a dog trainer, but look for courses certified by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council. You could start as an animal care assistant and build on your qualifications, or even become a vet first!
Be prepared for: Being patient! You need a lot of patience to be a dog trainer or behaviourist, with both dogs and people. You’ll need to be able to explain things to owners in a way they’ll understand.
Groomer
With such a huge variety of dog breeds, it’s no surprise that some of them need the attention of a professional groomer every few weeks! Being a groomer could see you clipping unruly fluff, trimming nails or even giving larger dogs a bath if their owner can’t do it at home. You’ll also be there to give owners advice on guidance on how to take the best care of their dog’s fur.
How to become a groomer: There are lots of courses you can do either in colleges, through apprenticeships or even with private training providers to become a professional groomer.
Be prepared for: Dogs that don’t always like a bath. Not all dogs like (or will be used to) trips to the groomers, so it’s best to learn a bit about body language and how to keep dogs nice and calm.
Zookeeper
Bit out there, but if you want to work with more exotic (or much larger) animals then a job as a zookeeper might be for you. You’re likely to get a lot less contact time with some animals but you’ll still get to take care of them every day and you’ll be needed to keep an eye on their health and wellbeing. Zoos also need trainers who help the animals in their care be comfortable with healthcare procedures their keepers or vets need to perform.
How to become a zookeeper: There are so many ways you could become a zookeeper. Colleges often offer courses that can help you work your way into this job, or you could do an apprenticeship or even a degree course. Look for courses in zoo management, zoology and animal conservation as a starting point.
Be prepared for: Not actually getting to touch the animals you work with, but getting to know and observe the behaviours of some of the world’s most magnificent and endangered species up close.
There are so many other jobs where you can work with animals, too, so do plenty of research to find the right fit for you!
Looking for a new job? Find out more about a career with PDSA and take a look at our vacancies.