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.