What Careers Exist in Animal Care?
If you love animals, there are plenty of career options to turn that passion into a paycheck. Some of the careers have easier entry thresholds, others require extensive schooling. Like traditional health care, animal care is a growing industry, and employees working in this sector enjoy job security and the personal fulfillment that comes with helping animals.
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Veterinarian
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Perhaps the most recognizable and obvious career path for animal lovers, veterinarians provide medical checkups, diagnosis and even surgery for animals. This career requires several years of schooling but offers higher pay than many other animal care jobs.
Veterinarian Support Staff
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Vet assistants and vet office receptionists work alongside veterinarians. These jobs do not require extensive schooling; however, these jobs may require prior paid or volunteer experience working with animals.
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Grooming
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Requiring only minimal, specialized training, pet groomers are a vital component of the animal care industry, providing important hygienic services for animals.
Humane Society Staff
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Humane societies have typical veterinarian staff, but they also offer entry-level positions for dog walking, cleaning, clerical work, companionship and feeding animals.
Humane Law Enforcement
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Often affiliated with humane societies, so called "animal cops" are the first line of defense against animal abuse. These individuals rescue abandoned animals and investigate reports of animal cruelty.
Animal Behavior
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As illuminated by Indiana University's Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, there is a need for skilled individuals with college training in animal behavior. Animal behaviorists go on to care for animals at zoos and museums, or as animal trainers.
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