Career with animals?

Question

I want a career with animals but Im not sure what my options are. I don't care about the money I just love animals. I was thinking about being a vet tech, but im not sure if I could put animals to sleep and all that. Or I was thinking of an animal trainer I could start with dogs and then move up to maybe zoo animals. Could anyone help tell me what my options are, what each career involves, and what training I need and how to get it. Thanks

Answer 1

Vet techs make decent money around here working with Equine Hospitals.  Putting a horse down isn't as bad as you might think when you know the horse is suffering.  There are classes you can take to become certified, but experience will sometimes be accepted as a substitute to formal training.

Exercise rider for race horses.  It pays really well, but there is no health insurance (there is something going on around here about that, though).  Central KY area.  Basically, you would ride 15 - 20 horses per morning for about 2-3 minutes each around the race track.  You must know how to ride and be able to handle a high-strung horse.

Dog walker.  Best chances of making decent money would be in the larger cities.  Basically, walks the dog to provide ample exercise for owners who are too busy to do it themselves or who may have an injury, etc.

Dog groomer.  My brother-in-law owns a dog grooming business and makes really good money.  Responsible for grooming a multidue of breeds...cutting hair, cutting nails, shaving them, etc.

Horse groom.  Makes fair money.  Responsible for grooming race horses (mainly) and handling them at the races.

Marine biologist or zoologist.  This would allow you to work with marine animals and/or zoo animals.  There are training programs available as well as college courses and degrees.

You could also have a trail riding place or a riding lesson place if you like horses.  You would definitely need contracts and insurance...and a farm.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Well i wouldnt suggest being a vet because if they die... but what about working in a zoo or something? u could have a job doing childrens parties and feed the penguins with them or something.

Answer 3

These are some of the fields and jobs that involve animal experience and training.

Preventive Medicine (small animal, large animal, exotic, wildlife rehabilitation, research (private industry, university and government), military, zoo):

    * Research Veterinarian

    * Veterinarian

    * Veterinary Technician

Care and Conservation of Wildlife:

    * Biologist

    * Conservation Officer

    * Cooperative Extension Agent

    * Ecologist

    * Educator

    * Environmental Management

    * Environmental Chemistry

    * Forestry/Park Ranger

    * Interpretive Naturalist

    * Natural Resources Management

    * Wildlife Rehabilitator

Pets:

    * Animal behavior

    * Outreach programs

    * Therapy and Psychology

Zoos (training varies, ranging from exotic animal caretaking to biology:

    * Director

    * Supervisor

    * Keeper

    * Habitat Specialist

    * Research

Animal Training:

    * Trainer (large, small and exotics) for work, show and entertainment industry, and obedience training

    * Volunteer (may require special training or previous work experience):

    * SPCA

    * Camps

    * 4-H

    * Field Research

    * Future Farmers

    * Humane Societies

    * Nature Centers

    * Parks

    * Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities

    * Zoos

General areas of study and work:

    * Agriculture & Natural Resources

    * Education

    * Environmental Sciences

    * Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences

    * Law (Animal Welfare, Environmental)

    * Psychology

    * Science Technology

    * Veterinary Medicine

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocoiab.htm

Here is a good site for specific job information

I think any career where you have a love for your work will make your life much happier.  I know money is not the most important factor in your career search right now but it will help you later on in your life.  Go to this site:

http://www.anapsid.org/resources/jobs.ht...

which has some general information on salaries in animal related careers.  Search the web and read. There is a lot of information out there so read and narrow down your options to a general field.  Once you have done that, look at the educational requirements and go from there.  Wish you the best.