Have you always dreamed of working with animals? You might think that being a veterinarian is your only option, however, there are many career paths that let you devote your life to our furry friends.
It’s so important to find a job that will fulfil you and make you excited every day. So if you’re ready to turn your love of animals into a paid position, browse our popular jobs working with animals below.
Communication Skills: In many circumstances, working with animals can mean working with the animal’s owners. You must retain a level of sensitivity while relaying information that they may not want to hear, all while maintaining professional.
Detail Oriented: Because animals cannot speak, you must remain on top of things that can’t always be communicated. You should pay attention to all the little details, ensuring that everything is recorded and organised.
Level Headed: You hold your emotions in check, even during tough situations.
Flexible: You are open to change and are ready for whatever the day throws at you.
Teamwork: Because veterinary teams and offices tend to be small, egos should be checked at the door. No job should be too big or small for you.
A veterinary technician is a nurse at an animal hospital. They undergo a lot of responsibility and are often extremely hands-on with the animals. They assist the vet with routine check-ups, surgeries, emergency procedures and filling prescriptions. As a veterinary technician, an average day does not exist! However, tasks a veterinary nurse may encounter include taking blood samples, performing lab tests, recording case histories, developing x-rays and cleaning teeth. Perfect if you love getting up close and personal with the animals, seeing them make a full recovery thanks to your handiwork.
As a zookeeper, you are right in the thick of it. Your job isn’t to manage the zoo, but to manage the wild animals inside it. You are seen as a lot of things – their friend, guardian and protector, and you must fill this role to care for all creatures great and small. Your typical duties will involve feeding the animals, grooming them, training them, cleaning their enclosures and living spaces, playing with them and supervising them.
Because nobody knows these animals as well as you do, you must also be looking out for abnormal behaviours that may indicate sadness, stress or sickness. This can then be relayed to the veterinarians, advising on animal health and wellbeing. You would also consult with animal curators on their environments, as well as provide answers to visitor’s questions about the animals.>
There are a number of different tasks that fall under the job description of an animal shelter worker. You are the first point of call when a homeless animal arrives. From dogs, cats, rabbits, rats and other furry pets, they are usually scared and depending on you. Some are temporarily separated from their owners, while others are looking for new people to live with. Your job is to keep these animals clean and comfortable during their time at the shelter, promoting their best attributes to potential owners when they visit.
Your everyday tasks will include cleaning cages and playing with the animals. You will also deliver them food as well as provide lots of love and attention. This is true for existing animals and for when a new pet enters the shelter. During these circumstances, you must record its name, age and distinctive markings. If an owner does not retrieve the pet, you are to create a glowing recommendation for the animal, describing its best attributes for it to find a new home.
Animal control responds to emergency calls that relate to animals. You are basically their advocate, being the first point of call if an animal is abused, neglected or used for fighting. You may also get calls about dangerous dogs, or animals that people may suspect have hazardous diseases.
Sick animals are unpredictable, which can also make them dangerous. The same can be said for their handlers who mistreated them. And while you may not be able to arrest anyone, you may be called to testify or write violations against the abuse that you may have witnessed. No two days are ever the same.
At Kangan Institute, we offer the Certificate III in Animal Care Services (ACM30122). This TAFE course was designed specifically for those who dream of working with animals and hope to develop the skills to land a job working with animals. This hands-on experience will provide students with skills in Animal Care Management, reception duties, communication, basic animal care, hygiene, animal welfare, nutrition, Occupational Health and Safety, teamwork and animal handling. Graduates will be awarded a Certificate III in Animal Studies (ACM30117), which is nationally recognised as a part of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Follow your passion and work with Animals at Kangan Institute. You can find out about available courses here, call us on 138 233 or apply online today.
