Ask any preschool teacher and they’ll tell you that they get at least two little future veterinarians at career day every year. For some of those kids, the dream doesn’t go away by graduation. If you can relate, here are 20 careers that you can consider if you want to work with animals for the rest of your life.
1. Veterinarian
Veterinarian is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of animal-related jobs, right? Becoming a veterinarian isn’t an easy task, but I imagine that saving an animal’s life is worth it. Basically, the job includes diagnosing and treating sick animals. You can choose to limit your field to some animals, like only pets (dogs, cats, etc.) or farmyard animals, or you can be an all-rounder.
2. Veterinary Technician or Assistant
If you don’t want to go through the process of obtaining a veterinary degree, but you really want to work in a veterinary clinic, there’s still hope. If you’re a veterinary assistant, you work under the supervision of veterinarians. Your job will include assisting them in everyday tasks, like diagnosing tests and medication administration. It may also include grunt work, like feeding the animals and cleaning up when necessary.
3. Wildlife Rehabilitator
Do you have a soft spot for wild animals? As a wildlife rehabilitator, you’ll care for sick and injured (or even orphaned) animals to rehabilitate them. The end goal is to have them healthy and ready to be returned to their natural habitat. Some of the animals that may need rehabilitation can include raccoons, koalas, and so forth.
4. Zookeeper
Becoming a zookeeper is much easier and faster than becoming a veterinarian. But that doesn’t mean it’s less work. In fact, the list of general zookeeper responsibilities can be quite long. Your tasks will include caring for the animals at the zoo, from feeding them to ensure that their enclosures are kept clean. You’ll also need to get to know your animals because your job will include observing their behavior to spot illnesses and other issues.
5. Wildlife Biologist
Here’s another job that includes wild animals, like tigers and bears. In this job, your job can range from monitoring wildlife populations and protecting threatened species to enforcing laws and educating the public. Oh, and you may be called out to remove a wild animal from human areas every now and then.
6. Animal Trainer
There are so, so many animal training routes that you can follow. You can work at an aquarium, where you’ll train dolphins and penguins. You can work at a zoo, where you’ll train owls and gorillas. You can work on a farm, where you’ll train horses. You can even work at a facility, where you can train working dogs, show animals, or disability support animals. The options are endless.
7. Animal Behaviorist
A lot goes into the animal behaviorist career path. You’ll study and analyze the behavior of animals, from common sneezes to reactions to situations. This will help you understand them to improve their general welfare. Almost like a veterinarian or zookeeper, without the surgeries and cage cleaning duties.
8. Animal Groomer
You can probably guess what an animal groomer does. If you guessed ‘they groom animals’ – you’re absolutely right! You can’t just grab a brush and some water and off you go with this career. You need to research different animal products and learn how to handle the animals you choose to groom. Only when you’ve got this all covered can you proceed to maintain the appearance and hygiene of pets. Think trimming the fur, clipping the nails, and cleaning the ears of cuddly dogs and aggressive cats with sharp nails.
9. Farm Manager
While this job isn’t entirely focused on animals, it can also be all about them. Honestly, it depends on the farm and its operations. If you choose to manage a sheep, cow, or maybe even goat farm, all of your activities will be focused on them. For instance, you could be responsible for administering their medication, keeping track of the herd, and even delivering babies. Yep, farm animals don’t always make it to the closest vet in time and that’s when the farm manager needs to step in.
10. Aquarist
Have you ever visited an aquarium and pictured yourself in one of the worker’s shoes? You could very well get a job as an aquarist and care for the many aquatic animals. You’ll get to keep the tanks clean, feed the fish, play with the seals, and observe the behavior of the octopus in tank 6. You’re going to have to learn everything there is to know about these animals because aquarium visitors tend to have a lot of questions.
11. Marine Biologist
Oh look, another job working with marine animals. For this one, you’re definitely going to need extensive studying and a degree. Marine biologists study everything about marine life, from the many ecosystems to the organisms that live in them. You’ll observe their behavior, interactions, and come to many conclusions about the impact that humans have on their lives.
12. Pet Sitter
This is usually a part-time gig or side hustle for students or anybody else who needs to supplement their income. But you can make a career out of it. Basically, the job involves taking care of people’s pets while they are away. You can do this in the comfort of your own house, at a kennel, or at the person’s house. It includes providing companionship, feeding them, getting their exercise in, and cleaning up afterwards.
13. Animal Welfare Specialist
I know it sounds like most of these jobs are the same thing, but they’re actually very different. Animal welfare specialists are responsible for the general welfare of all animals. You’ll need to do everything possible to ensure that they’re happy, healthy, and protected. This is by preventing animal cruelty, improving their living conditions, and promoting responsible animal care by the public.
14. Wildlife Conservationist
Bear with me, we’re going on the same drift again. If you decide that protecting and preserving is for you, here’s another career path you can follow. As a wildlife conservationist, you’ll do fieldwork, advocate for the voiceless, and engage with relative communities. Any task that involves protecting wildlife and their ecosystems: you’ll do it.
15. Animal Nutritionist
This career comes with many options. The base of the job is designing and developing formulas for animal feed that’ll meet all of their nutritional needs. The flexibility comes in the choices of where you work and which animals you choose. You can work on a farm or at a zoo to serve the needs of the establishment’s animals. Or you could target a broader field by getting a job at a pet food company or research institution.
16. Park Ranger
Park ranger, park warden, or field ranger. Call it what you want but these individuals protect and preserve parks and protected areas. They’re the guys in neutral uniforms that drive around national parks. If you’re thinking of wearing the same uniform, you’ll enforce laws, maintain the recreation areas, and take on the role of firefighter when the need arises. You’ll also check fields and grassy areas regularly to make sure that there’s no sick animal lying somewhere without help.
17. Animal Breeder
Before you get two dogs and start doing your thing, you should know that becoming a breeder isn’t that easy. There’s a lot of admin and paperwork, as well as extensive study that needs to be done to get the ball rolling. You can choose the animal that you wish to breed with, focusing on genetics, traits, pedigrees, etc. The task is to improve population numbers and safely develop new or existing breeds.
18. Kennel Attendant
Are you starting to wonder whether the animal world is for you since so many of these jobs are very specialized? You could always consider becoming an attendant at boarding kennels, vet clinics, and shelters. These places are always looking for an extra pair of hands to help out with tasks like feeding, exercise, and cleaning.
19. Pet Adoption Counselor
You know how adoption facilities always do home visits and do thorough background checks? If you’re a pet adoption counselor, that’ll be the type of thing you’ll be doing every day. You’ll facilitate the entire pet adoption process to ensure that every four-legged kid gets a healthy, safe, and love-filled home.
20. Animal Shelter Manager
We can’t help every animal in need, but we can sure try to make a difference somewhere. By managing an animal shelter, you’ll be playing your part in said difference. You’ll be responsible for the daily operation of the shelter, which includes tasks like coordinating adoptions and ensuring the welfare of the animals. Plus, you’ll work with the community for outreaches and organize fundraisers to help even more animals.
