Careers

Working with animals is an increasingly popular career choice. Many people have an instinctive desire to care for animals and start working with animals at an early age and for some, a hobby turns into a fulfilling career. For others, working with animals is a rewarding career change that allows them to fulfil a lifelong dream. A more mature person searching for a career working with animals may have no animal welfare experience and not be sure where to start. Having relevant work or volunteering experience, life skills, training and being able to demonstrate a genuine interest in animal welfare, will ensure that job seekers stand a good chance of being employed in the animal care sector.

We've highlighted below just a few of the many different career options available.

For more details of these options and loads more careers working with animals including training advice, volunteering opportunities and much much more please see our definitive guide to a career working with animals

Careers with Dogs:  Dog Trainer,  Dog Walking, Dog Groomer, Kennel Manager, Assistance dog trainer

Careers with Cats: Include Cattery Assistant, Cattery Manager,  Cat Sitter,  Cat Groomer, Cat Boarding Business

Veterinary Careers: Include Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Nurse, Animal Nursing Assistant, Veterinary Receptionist, Veterinary Physiotherapist, Veterinary Chiropractor, Veterinary Osteopath, Veterinary Homeopath

Wildlife Careers: Wildlife Rehabilitator, Wildlife Biologist, Countryside warden or Ranger, Ornithologist, Wildlife/Countryside Conservation Officer, Gamekeeper, Zoologist

Equine Careers: Stable Hand, Head Lad/Lass, Travelling Head Lad/Lass,
Assistant Trainer, Trainer, Jockey, Farrier, Saddler, Riding Instructor, Holiday Centre Manager, Mounted Police, Army Mounted Units, Equine Physiotherapist, Equine Rescue Charity work

Animal Charity Careers: Animal Care Assistant (ACA), Animal Care/Welfare Manager, RSPCA Inspector, Re-homing/Adoption Officer, Home Visitor, Animal Ambulance Driver, Veterinary Team, Chief Executive, Fundraising/Media Team,  Campaigns Officer, Receptionist, Volunteer Co-ordinator

Marine Conservation Careers: Marine and Freshwater Biologists, Aquarist,
Aquarium Supervisor, Curator, Naturalists are educational specialists, Herpetologists, Aquavet, Computer specialist with a marine or environmental organization, Ecologist, Water Quality Technicians

Zoo & Safari Park Careers: Zoo keepers, Wildlife Ranger, Zoologist, Habitat designer/zoo, horticulturist, Curators, Veterinary team, Registrar

Other Animal Careers: Animal photographer, Pet taxi business, Pet sitter business,  Animal Assisted Therapist

For more details of these options and loads more careers working with animals including training advice, volunteering opportunities and much much more please see our definitive guide to a career working with animals