Careers with Animals

[Jay_Bunny]

I have always loved animals and have wanted to work with them from a young age. From the time I was 6, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but recently I've come to the conclusion, it is just too much school. I'm looking for work right now because my current job might not keep me after the holidays (hired as seasonal). I'm applying to Petsmart and Petco as well as a few other food/retail places. I was in Petsmart tonight and this couple was looking at one of the bearded dragons. While they waited for the employee to come over and help them, I answered some of their questions about bearded dragons (what to feed them and what size feeders the particular dragon they were looking at would need, cage requirements, etc) and I was in there shopping for cat food. Haha. That always happens. I go into a Petsmart to buy something and end up helping someone there. I think its time I start getting paid to do that.

But I can't work retail my whole life, so I'm trying to find something I can go to school for or just get a job working with animals. I have been talking with a wildlife rehabilitator through email about volunteering as a Category IV rehabilitator in my area. This will be strictly volunteer though but it is something I want to get experience with. I was thinking about working in a zoo but how do you go about doing that? Or maybe work at an aquarium.

So share your animal-related job and how you went about getting it (include what kind of schooling, education, training, you got before/during the job, how long you've been in the job, pros and cons of the job, etc.

[BPelizabeth]

well you can shoot for a degree in something that will help you work at a zoo or an aquarium. But warning it doesn't pay well at first.

I use to volunteer at the Wildlife World Zoo in Phx, I worked as an asst. keeper in the small mammal exhibit. LOVED IT!! Was actually offered a job as the reptile keeper. But at the time the thought of taking care of snakes freaked me out! (crazy huh...lol) Plus I think it paid about 22K a year. That was about 10years ago. It was a very fufilling job...and I had fun every single day I was there. Would love to do it again but my family restraints probably would not allow for it now. So...I will just build my own zoo here...lol

I do have a friend out here in Tucson that works for a wildlife rescue. She started only volunteering and then was offered a full time job. So ya never know... Do what you love!!

Oh yea I forgot to say...I had no formal training with animals...just have this natural thing with them...always have since I was a little kid. My mom has some great stories of me with wild animals....once playing with a skunk (apparently I thought it was a black and white kitty)...going up to really agressive animals...never been bit. She said that she was always scared because I would just take off before they could stop me.

[RichsBallPythons]

I never studied animals as a career but in college on free time i would go out on swamp dives here with biologist majors and what not looking at all kinds of things. Its very interesting for me since it was for fun and for the others it was homework. Wish i could still do it but i dont own diving equipment.

[Jay_Bunny]

I don't consider taking care of animals to be work. I find it very satisfying to know the animals under my care are happy and healthy. I'm going to start off as a Category IV rehabilitator and eventually when my husband and I own our own home, I will move up and start rehabbing in my own home. A Category IV volunteers at someone else's facility. I can't wait to get started! I'm calling tomorrow for my application. The rehabilitator I've been talking to says they will start getting baby owls and baby squirrels in soon. I've also told her I'm interested in helping out with injured reptiles and amphibians. I would love to work at Seaworld but isn't there only two in the U.S, one in Florida and one in California? We plan to move to California, but not any time soon.

[BPelizabeth]

and one in San Antonio and I think there is still one in Ohio but not sure about that one.

[Elise.m]

I'm currently pondering whether or not I should take an 18 month course to become a vet tech. Right now I'm a little intimidated by the price ($32,600 without grants and what not) and whether I'll be able to stick to my guns and carry through with it. I've tried volunteering at a shelter and supposedly came home smelling like cat urine, and that wasn't good since the BF is allergic to cats. The local animal shelter has a dog walking program, but it takes 3 weeks to get into. They have to finger print anyone who wants to volunteer since it's a city thing... Stupid IMO!

Other than that, I haven't tried. I apply to petco and petsmart every few months... I call and inquire about other smaller pet shops. It's just bad out there right now.

[BPelizabeth]

Elise...if you have a local breeder near you......might want to see if they need a volunteer?

I am trying to talk my breeder into letting me clean cages for him. I just want to learn more and he is soooooooooo amazing!! That is my dream volunteer job for this summer. Pretty funny huh...my dream job is cleaning up poop.

[Elise.m]

I tried. The breeder I go through has his shop right down the road, takes me 2 mins to get there. He's got a pretty good staff, along with his wife and his step son.

I would have a blast if that would happen though. Then I'd get some exposure to other species, not just ball pythons.

We have a zoo here too. I haven't been to it since I was a kid and just vaguely remember going, don't really remember the exhibits. I've looked for a job there, but haven't inquired about volunteering... Hm. Maybe I should.

[mainbutter]

the most common careers with animals:

vet and vet techs
zoo staff
small private businesses (breeders and beyond)
reaserch and academia

If going the vet route is too much schooling, you don't want a life in school, which also knocks out a career in academia and research. I don't know much about vet techs, but there are vet-like options that don't require anywhere near as much schooling. They do get paid substantially less for obvious reasons, but are worth looking into if you're set on a career with animals.

[j_h_smith]

One option is to start your own business and go to schools and parties with your animals. Snakes, lizards, small mammals are always good draws. You probably couldn't make this a full time job, but you could do it part time and still keep your interest in these animals.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith