How do i go about a life of working with animals??

Question

I have a dream of working with animals but i have no idea how to get started. I want to be able to see an animal and know things about it like its species and what it eats where it lives--- EVERYTHING, like Jeff Corwin or something. I'm only a sophmore in high school, but i don't know what classes i should take or what to major in in college or any of that stuff. My interest is to for instance help raise baby pandas and travel the world helping to save endangered species, not so much the medicine veterinary aspects,,,,, so yah please help me!!!!

Answer 1

Some of your goals are a little unrealistic..I see at least one post a day or people saying they want to make a living raising baby wild animals.  Sure, some peoples jobs may INCLUDE this...zookeepers working in the nursery, etc..but very FEW people get to actually do this type of work as EVERYONE wants to do this type of work, and jobs are extremely competitive.  You need to separate whether you want to play with animals or help save them.  Working to save endangered species may NEVER include interacting with that animal, it is best to keep wild animals wild, and never acclimate them to humans.  If you want more interaction...go for working in a zoo, but even then too much contact is not permitted.  If you want to help endangered species in the wild, think about becoming a wildlife or field biologist, or game warden.  You should major in zoology, biology, wildlife management, wildlife studies, or some other closely related major.  While in school, do volunteer work and internships to gain hands on experience.  Once out of school you can do seasonal work that will allow you to do a lot of traveling...but will not allow you to make a lot of money.  

Answer 2

I like birdgirl's answer. I hope mine will add to it. Good Luck.

Talk to your career counselor at school for advise. When I was interested in possibly going into an animal related career mine gave me advise in where to start volunteering (and raptor rehab), some colleges to go to (one of them being Moorpark College's Exotic Animal Training and Management program), and she also advised me on possible careers.

Whatever career/college you choose, start getting some experience with animals now.

Depending on how you want to work with animals, some degrees you might want to look into are:

Some degrees to look in to:

Zoology, Mammalogy

Animal Science

Ethology/Animal Behavior

Psychology/Animal Psychology

Wildlife/Exotic/Zoo (biology, care, ecology, conservation, education, etc)

Zoo Science/Technology

Animal/Exotic/Wildlife Management and/or Training

Some places to or areas of work could be:

Research

Conservation

Wildlife or Exotic animal rescues/sanctuaries/preserves

Zookeeper

http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/jef...

JEFF CORWIN

Wildlife biologist

Jeff has bachelor of science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State College, and a master of science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources...

CATCH 22?

1. To get a job working with animals, you need experience with animals. This bit of truth seems to create a frustrating circle. You need experience to get a job, but you can't get experience unless you have a job, right? Well, yes and no.



VOLUNTEER

1. To begin a career caring for animals, you should be prepared to start with a volunteer or entry-level position. Call your nearest zoo or aquatic park and ask for details on becoming a volunteer (also called a docent or intern). Humane societies, animal rehabilitation clinics, and some veterinary clinics also welcome volunteers. Although your duties with a humane society or veterinary clinic will most likely involve working indirectly with animals (cleaning cages and preparing food), volunteer duties at a zoo or aquatic park range from filing or answering phones to being trained to make educational presentations or feed newly hatched birds.

Volunteering your time shows that you're serious about your commitment to animals. Develop a reputation for being an eager, cooperative, hard-working person, and your volunteer effort may help you get a job in the future. Supervisors are often asked to give character references for volunteers who've worked for them.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_f...

What are some other ways to gain animal experience?

Some places to look for volunteer jobs or internships might be:

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Veterinary offices

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Animal training classes (does your dog need obedience training?)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Local Humane Society

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Local Park Service

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Wildlife rehabilitation centers (like for wolves, bears, big cats, birds of prey, and even bats)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Animal shelters

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Farms (for domestic animals, or even ostrich, llama, or butterfly farms)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Pet breeders (those that breed specific kinds of dogs, cats, or horses)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Horse stables and boarding facilities

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ 4-H Clubs

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

What schools offer the best Zoology/Animal Sciences programs in North America?

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=college...

Answer 3

omgOSH me 2!!(on the animals, and hs, and next sent but i want to be able to heal them too) but I want to rehibilatate them back into the wild! but ummmm yeah u need to be able to help them is my thought on that!