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5 Best Careers for Pet Lovers

Check out this list of the 5 best careers for pet lovers.

By Andrea DawsonPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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You adore your pets, and taking care of them is something you really enjoy. Perhaps you're even thinking of turning your excitement about animals into a rewarding career. If you want to spend your days working with animals in some capacity, there are numerous interesting career opportunities that could enable you to do so. Check out this list of the five best careers for pet lovers:

1. Veterinarian

The training necessary for becoming a veterinarian is not easy to obtain, and the work can be challenging. But if you have a passion for helping sick or hurt pets to recover, this is an excellent career choice.

In the United States, veterinarians are required to obtain advanced graduate degrees from one of 30 accredited veterinary colleges. They also need to obtain state licensure. In most cases, getting a veterinarian's license will require you to pass either the national examination or a state examination. In some states, you might have to pass both of them.

In Australia, most veterinarians attend university and earn bachelor's degrees at a minimum. Licensure or certification is a requirement to practice as a veterinarian in Australia.

2. Veterinary Nurse or Vet Assistant

Veterinary nurses or assistants work under the supervision of credentialed veterinarians. They typically take care of the more routine tasks in the vet's office such as feeding animals and administering medication to them.

In the United States, you do not need any special licenses or academic credentials to become a veterinarian's assistant. In Australia, you'll need a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification such as a certificate III or certificate IV in veterinary nursing. According to Training.com.au, after successful completion of such a training course, 76.4 percent of graduates are able to obtain jobs in Australia's professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Additionally, there are several other Australian industries that employ lesser numbers of graduates from this type of program.

3. Animal Trainer

If you're an entrepreneurial type, and you have a knack for training dogs or other animals, perhaps you'd be well suited for a career as an animal trainer. There are numerous approaches you could take if this role is of interest to you. For example, you could start a dog obedience school, where your goal might be teaching dog owners how to train their dogs to obey them. Horses and other types of animals also need training. The film industry offers some unique opportunities for handlers of pets, birds, livestock, and exotic animals.

Animal trainers, especially dog trainers, are important in law enforcement and the military as well. Canine units need dog trainers to teach their dogs how to detect narcotics, provide assistance during riots, and handle numerous other law enforcement tasks. Canine units are active in the USA, Canada, Australia, and countless other countries around the world. You can learn more at the following websites:

4. Animal Breeder

Breeders might specialize in breeding show dogs, race horses, beef cattle, alpacas, or numerous other types of desirable animals. They can earn income in several different ways:

  • Sale income from selling their livestock or animals
  • Stud fees from arranging for one of their male animals to impregnate another breeder's female animal
  • Product sales—For example, in the case of animals like sheep or alpacas whose hair is valuable, wool sales can generate income.
  • In some cases, there might be prize money for show dogs that win shows or racehorses that win races.

Legislation affecting breeders varies greatly by geographic location. Dog breeders in the United States will need to understand and adhere to local laws governing kennels. A permit may be required for breeding in some locations. In Australia, dog and cat breeders are required to adhere to local codes of practice.

5. Pet Photographer

If you have a unique combination of outstanding photography skills, marketing expertise, and an understanding of animal behavior, you have the skill set necessary for success as a pet photographer. This could be either a part-time or full-time venture. No special licenses, certifications, or academic credentials are necessary for success as a pet photographer, although coursework in photography can be helpful for learning how to take better photographs.

As you can see, there are excellent career opportunities available for people who want to work with animals professionally. These are five of the best careers available to pet lovers.

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About the Creator

Andrea Dawson

A fitness blogger and a personal trainer.

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