How to Help Animals and Make a Living
Some people have a passion for animals, feeling compelled to care for them during their lives. However, many of the opportunities that allow you to help animals are volunteer positions. To work these jobs and still support yourself, you also must hold a paying job to cover your expenses. Some of the jobs that help animals, though, are paid positions that allow you to fulfill your passion and make a living at the same time.
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Instructions
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Attend a college as a pre-med student while taking classes in animal health. After graduation, attend a graduate school that offers a degree in veterinarian sciences. Some veterinarians open their own clinics, while others work in existing ones. In some cases, you also may need to complete a one-year internship prior to getting licensed.
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Go to school to become a veterinarian technician. This position requires less schooling -- typically only two years -- and is equivalent to being a nurse.
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Become an animal rehabilitator. Some work with veterinarians with domesticated animals, while others work with wildlife. This type of job requires much of the same training as a veterinarian.
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Get involved in animal care jobs. These include groomers, kennel attendants, pet sitters and even dog walkers. Many of these jobs require no special education. However, jobs such as grooming require you to complete training, which often is provided on the job.
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Become a zoologist, by attending a college that offers a graduate program in zoology. Working in a zoo allows you to help animals you may not encounter otherwise. Some people with a passion for animals feel that zoos are cruel to animals. However, if you become a zoologist, you can work toward keeping the animals happy and healthy.
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Become the equivalent of a health inspector for animals. These animal control officers inspect kennels and other places that typically house animals for violations and safety. An animal control officer also is responsible for removing animals from dangerous situations.
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Obtain a job as a journalist or writer that focuses on animals. Get the word out about animal mistreatment or ways the average person can help animals. In some instances, this does more good than actually working with animals.
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References
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