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How to kickstart an animal care career

Have you ever dreamed about pursuing an Animal Care career?

If you absolutely adore animals… can think of nothing better than spending your days surrounded by creatures big and small, furry and scaly… love it when friends and family tag you in cute pet videos on Facebook… then it may have crossed your mind to make this passion a profession.

But when it comes to kickstarting this kind of career, where do you begin? What do you need to know about this industry before submitting those first job applications? What can you do now to better help you secure a flourishing, fulfilling career in the future?

In this blog, we’re going to discuss the steps you can take to kickstart an Animal Care career & explore the ways in which you can get ahead of the game.

What kind of roles are available caring for animals?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that when we say ‘Animal Care industry’, this is quite varied and can offer you the opportunity to work in a diverse number of roles. 

For example, any of the following positions could be your dream career:

  • Animal daycare assistant
  • Animal groomer
  • Dog walker
  • Trainer
  • Veterinary assistant
  • Animal control assistant
  • Breeder
  • Conservationist
  • Zoologist
  • Zookeeper
  • Animal physiotherapist
  • Pet behaviourist

And those are just a selection of the most popular main roles within this industry. 

There are numerous supporting and administrative roles that are likewise part of the Animal Care industry, less well-known yet equally as important.  

It’s therefore important to understand exactly what kind of role you’d love to pursue. Is it a hands-on position like a dog groomer or trainer? Or would you prefer to dive into the science of animal care and work in a laboratory, for instance?

If you’re able to clarify your area of interest, this will go a long way to helping you crack into this industry, giving you both clarity and direction.

What’s required to break into the animal care industry?

Once you’ve determined what kind of role appeals to you in the Animal Care industry, the next step will be to understand what practical steps are then required to ‘get your foot in the door’, so to speak. 

Whilst positions in this industry can be competitive, there are still proactive measures you can take which a) help to develop your insight and understanding of this field and b) increase your practical experience and c) make you appear more appealing to prospective employers.

Some of these steps could include:

  • Enrolling in an Animal Care Course
  • Volunteering with an animal shelter/charity
  • Starting your own pet sitting or walking service
  • Shadowing at a veterinary clinic
  • Signing up to experience an animal training session
  • Interning at a zoo or other professional animal care institution

Really, it very much depends again on what kind of role you wish to pursue. Nevertheless, whatever position you consider your dream job, one step is invaluable across the board.

And yes, this is enrolling in an Animal Care Course and attaining a Certificate of Achievement.

But why is this important and what does an animal care course involve?

With Learning Online, it involves self-paced study with guidance and support from an industry professional. We have designed this course to give you a solid understanding of all animal care essentials, with modules covering everything from providing basic care for cats, dogs, freshwater fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians, and rodents and rabbits. You will also be educated in topics such as common health issues in domestic pets, administering basic first aid, managing animal behaviour and more. 

What’s better, our online Animal Care Course means you can complete these studies in a flexible, relaxed format. So whether you’re looking to transition from a current role, you’re returning to work after an extended break, or you’re entering the professional workspace for the first time. This education has been created with all levels of capabilities and lifestyle responsibilities in mind. 

In fact, you could consider enrolling on an online course for animal care alongside voluntary work at a shelter. This would enable you to master all the theoretical knowledge alongside gaining practical experience too. 

Gaining this foundational understanding will go a long way to boosting your confidence when it comes to job interviews, whilst also offering you a comprehensive overview of all the animal care essentials. You’ll not only become more professionally competent but also gain skills to benefit your own pets too!

So if you love the idea of completing an Animal Care Course and kickstarting your journey to securing an Animal Care career, why wait? Take a look at our online course here and enrol today. 

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