That's along the lines I would suggest as well. First get that GED, & find a trade/technical skill that suits you...something that has a future & pays, not all good jobs
require college. While it seems like a nice idea to work in a pet store, you won't be the boss, and even if you find one that "cares" now, managers often change for
the worse; it's unlikely that will work as a career. ALL jobs can have "employee drama"...that's life (& luck of the draw). If nothing else, take a food service job for a
while...it won't kill you...whatever you do, do a GOOD job & that job will help you get the next BETTER one. References go a long way...remember that. Sorry about
your home life was a wreck...so was mine...just don't let it stop you, or keep you in self-pity, because we all get a bad hand some of the time, it's what we make of it.
Good careers working with animals are highly competitive & often don't pay well because they don't have to in order to keep people there...I can remember wanting
to be a zoo-keeper, but my choice of an unrelated & well-paying job let me do my own thing with the animals of my choice...a far better option for me.