If you want to help animals recover from injury or illness, consider becoming a vet.
While many people are content with having a family pet, some want to turn their love for animals into a job, whether it's walking dogs for a living or becoming a veterinarian. The qualifications and time commitments will vary from job to job. But if you love animals, you can find work that gives you a deep sense of satisfaction as well as pays the bills.
Dog Walker
If you like dogs, like to work outdoors, and like having a flexible schedule, a job as a dog walker may be for you. Some dog walkers also are dog sitters, taking the dog into their home while the owner is at work. Others come to the owner's house to walk the dog at a set time each day. The pay is in the low range for jobs involving animals, but you get the chance to spend some time outside year-round. There typically are no qualifications required for dog walkers, except a love for the animals.
Dog Trainer
Dog lovers also may find enjoyment working as a dog trainer. They teach dogs the basic behaviors needed for living in a family home, such as learning to sit and to heel. It's possible to become a trainer without formal certification because much of being a successful trainer depends on your experience working with dogs. But you also can earn credentials through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Candidates must pass a multiple-choice test and fulfill other criteria such as having 300 hours of experience training dogs within the past five years. Good people skills also are valuable because you will be dealing with owners as well as their dogs.
Zookeeper
Animal lovers who enjoy larger or more exotic animals may find a career as a zookeeper rewarding. Responsibilities vary from day to day, but the job involves making sure that the zoo animals are fed properly and get the necessary amounts of water and exercise. Because the animals' needs must be met every day, a job as zookeeper often requires working different shifts, and also working on holidays. A bachelor's degree in zoology, biology or a related subject is preferred by most zoos.
Vet
If you find satisfaction helping animals recover from an injury or illness, a career as a veterinarian might appeal to you. But you will have to undergo rigorous training to accomplish your goal. Vets typically spend four years studying veterinary science after receiving a bachelor's degree, and must pass a demanding national exam. The median salary for veterinarians in the U.S. was about $79,000 in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with nearly 60,000 people working as vets.
Pet Groomer
Most cities and towns have at least one business offering pet grooming services such as shampooing, clipping fur and claws, and brushing animals' teeth. The only qualification for becoming a pet groomer at many businesses is having a love for animals and experience dealing with them. However, courses in pet grooming also are available in many cities and online.
Breeder
Breeding animals to be sold as pets can be a lucrative business, particularly if you are grooming highly desirable breeds. Most professional pet breeders take courses in animal science and genetics as part of their training, and some earn associate degrees in animal science. Breeders who specialize in livestock or other large animals often have a bachelor's degree in animal science.
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