VadasMom
Champion
Posts:37
 | | 12/17/2005 3:16 PM |
| | Find a job in the animal career field. I am a little queezy around blood so I don't think becoming a vet would be a good match, but I love animals and I want to do my part to help. I was wondering if anyone had any information, or ideas about any good pet jobs. It would have to be a pay position, because Between the time I have at home with my own pets, and a job, I have little time left to volunteer. Thanks in advance for your ideas...
PS. If the jobs require schooling, let me know so I can look into getting a degre if neccessary! | | | |
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imaud
Best of Breed
Posts:236
| | 12/19/2005 6:29 PM |
| | I'm not even sure why I'm answering this because I am not in an animal-related industry. I just thought I'd put my two-cents in. Have you considered becoming a animal behaviorist or trainer of some sort? This would keep you away from the blood etc. that you're squeamish about. I have no idea what the training/schooling is for something like that. We do have one or more dog trainers on the site and also a woman who works with birds professionally.
--Imaud | | | |
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marksouthfl
Best of Breed
Posts:206
| | 12/19/2005 9:37 PM |
| | I'm not sure how you would go about finding work in these fields, but I would suggest asking at places such as local animal shelters, zoos, and aquariums. If there is a university in your area, you also might check to see if they hire people to work with research animals. There are also pet stores, although I don't know how well they pay. Also, there may be breeders (not just dog and cat breeders, but also aviaries, etc.) that may need help.
Finally, check the online employment sites, such as Hot Jobs and CareerBuilder. Even if they don't have listings for jobs in your area, you may get some more ideas of what jobs exist in the field. Just doing a search on a keyword of animals, without limiting yourself geographically, may be helpful to you.
Mark | | | |
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Angilpie
Champion
Posts:4
| | 12/20/2005 2:36 PM |
| whatever you do, DO NOT work in a Humane Society. I used to work at one, and a 9 week old puppy was playing around, and nipped someone... broke the skin... so they instantly put it down. The same thing happened with a pitbull pup, and because they really wanted it to go to a home.... they adopted it out. I was appauled. I mean, thats what doggie school is for. They put down lots of dogs with behavioral problems that breed-specific rescue groups could have easily adopted out. They put down lots of good dogs.
An interesting animal related field I've been involved in before is training seeing eye dogs.... taking them EVERYWHERE with you. It would give you a chance to go on with your daily life and to have an animal career.... just a thought!  | | | |
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VadasMom
Champion
Posts:37
| | 12/20/2005 4:29 PM |
| | Thanks for all the suggestions. I really would like to find myself a career in the animal field. The pay isn't really an issue, as long as I get paid.
If you think of anything else... please let me know | | | |
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ctrread
Champion
Posts:10
| | 12/20/2005 5:07 PM |
| | I have had many jobs that worked with animals, the best job I ever had was being a pet-sitter/dog walker. The pay usually isn't great which is why I dont still do it but it is such a fun job!! You get to spend your entire day playing with pets!! Granted there is usually cleaning and feeding involved but no blood. You develop great relationships with the dogs you see every day and the people are usually great. There is no school training involved, usually just a backround check and some on the job training. I can't think of a better job for a pet lover!! | | | |
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VadasMom
Champion
Posts:37
| | 12/21/2005 6:24 AM |
| | That would be an awesome job. I already take my three to walk several times a day. Its great exercise, and I find it to be fun. Maybe I should advertise these services in the local paper. I don't imagine that the pay would be great, but I could always work it around my current job, and included my dogs while I spend time with other peoples dogs. | | | |
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VadasMom
Champion
Posts:37
| | 12/21/2005 11:20 AM |
| | Angie
Do you have any information as to where I might find out more about training the see eye dogs.
My local Humane Society is among one of the worst in the United States. I respect what the USHS is trying to do, but some of their locations could use better guidance. | | | |
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marksouthfl
Best of Breed
Posts:206
| | 12/21/2005 2:44 PM |
| | If you want info on guide dogs, go to your favorite search engine and look up "guide dogs." A lot of people don't realize that Seeing Eye dog is a trademarked name, so using that search term may limit your results.
Actually, "service dogs" might be an even better search term, as dogs can be trained to do many other things, such as assisting the deaf, helping people in wheelchairs, or alerting epileptics to an oncoming seizure.
Mark | | | |
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imaud
Best of Breed
Posts:236
| | 12/21/2005 3:18 PM |
| | An excellent training facility for service dogs is Canine Companions for Independence. You can become a volunteer puppy trainer so that the puppy lives with you, accompanies you during your daily routine, etc. You then turn the puppy back in to Canine Companions for further training. This organization trains dogs to help people in wheelchairs, people who are deaf, or people who simpy need a companion to assist them in social situations. If you do not want to be a volunteer trainer, you could probably still get a lot of info from them. I believe it's just www.cci.org They have chapters all over the US, including your state.
--Imaud | | | |
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BarbK
Champion
Posts:42
| | 12/22/2005 7:52 AM |
| | VadasMom,
I am a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). It has been an incredible experience. I am currently without a CCI puppy in training but I am anticipating a new pup to arrive for me in March or April. If you are curious or have any questions, please email me.
BarbK | | | |
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VadasMom
Champion
Posts:37
| | 12/22/2005 11:27 AM |
| | Thanks Barb. I will.
Isnt it hard to give the puppy back? I fostered a Katrina dog, and when the owners came forward, I was happy for her. But I was so sad that she had to leave. | | | |
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GoldenMom
Champion
Posts:20
| | 12/30/2005 4:59 PM |
| | VadasMom,
I too have been a volunteer puppy raiser for a guide dog school in FL for the past 10+ years. I was even hired by the school to work in the Puppy Department --how wonderful was that! I no longer work there, but still volunteer. If you're interested in becoming a professional service dog Trainer, just know that there really isn't a degree you can get, but most schools have an apprenticeship program. This would take a few years to complete (basically working side-by-side with the trainers,) and they will certify apprentices to become professional trainers. Since these are primarily non-profit orgzanizations, they do pay, but not very well. You may also want to research different disabilities which service dogs are trained for -- because in the service dog world, you have to work as well with the people as you do the dogs. You might want to try volunteering first to see if its for you. Good luck.
GoldenMom | | | |
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Lee6139
Champion
Posts:3
| | 01/09/2006 10:23 AM |
| | Try applying at your local Petsmart or Petco. I did that years ago and am now a certified dog trainer (the company sent me to school). The dog training schools can be expensive (3 to 5 thousand dollars). Also, look around for dog day care facilities. They are always looking for dare care counselors. I was one for years.
Local shelters, i.e. Animal Rescue League, are always looking for volunteers. That is one way to get your foot in the door for when a job opens up.
Remember tho, you are dealing with animals and therefore they are unpredictable. They get sick, they throw up, they get cuts and bleed amongst other things so if you truly have a delicate stomach perhaps just cashiering in a local pet store would be better for you. Animals are alot of work ( and they are so worth it!). Donations of food, blankets and so on are good too. Rescue work can be extremely rewarding! One of my favorite aspects of that job is matching the right families to the right pets!
Whatever you decide to do, good luck.
Lee and Brady | | | |
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embryo24
Champion
Posts:6
| | 01/26/2006 1:20 PM |
| | i'd start off with volunteering to get experience in different kinds of fields. this way you can also see which one you like better! try dog daycares, dog training centres, zoos, aquariums, horse riding schools (or therapeutic horseriding), service dogs (e.g. guide dog foundation), wildlife parks, research (earthwatch institute: www.earthwatch.org), shelters, rehabilitation centres, pet stores, etc. there's tons of jobs related to animals! | | | |
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lilcol29
Champion
Posts:1
| | 02/13/2006 3:41 PM |
| | I must say that it must depend on the type of Humane Society that you go to, because I voluteer as a dog walker for a Humane Society, and I have never felt better about leaving an animal there. They are so loving and so understanding to these dogs and cats and other animals and they truly only want the best for them. They make sure that have a ton of information on every dog and then they get a ton of information about the family wanted to adopt. They make sure that every family or person walks away with a dog that fits their lifestyle and that they are happy with so surrending the dog in the future is not an issue. It's sad to see that other Humane Societies are getting away with putting animals down for non-serious problems. But it is also good to know that there are good people out there working for what is right. | | | |
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desertqueen
Champion
Posts:1
| | 02/15/2006 1:39 AM |
| | Hi all, I'm new to the boards.
Another option to work with animals is animal law. It's a new and upcoming field that is rapidly growing. There are all sorts of jobs involved with the field that range from animal protection and advocacy to journalism, paralegal work, and of course, law. Check out this page of the animal law International web site for a list of animal law organizations, then check out their job boards:
http://www.animallaw.com/links.cfm
Also, non-profit job sites list all sorts of positions open with animal organizations that help animals. Everything from admin assistants to grant funding. Do an internet search for non-profit jobs on Google or some such engine.
I have two bigger dogs and work full time, but I always make time for my volunteer work at the local shelter and I also foster animals when the shelter needs help. Not trying to make you feel guilty, but don't think you are too busy to volunteer because it's the best way to get in the door. Make the time to do it. You can put your volunteer work on your resume - start out in a lower level position -and work your way up.
EDL | | | |
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groomergal
Champion
Posts:3
| | 02/15/2006 10:29 PM |
| I'm new to the boards but have been a member for a while. I recently made a career change from being an executive assistant for many years to going to dog grooming school to become a dog groomer. I LOVE what I do and actually enjoy going to work every day. I have always been passionate about animals and took a huge leap of faith to make this change but it has been one of the best life choices I've made. Our bather at the shop is also starting her own pet sitting business and has been quite successful just by word of mouth. It doesn't take much to get going and you can work it around your schedule. Check out Pet Sitters International www.petsit.com for more info. Best of luck! | | | |
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baily67
Champion
Posts:1
| | 02/16/2006 12:03 PM |
| | Groomergal, I too am instituting a "plan" to attend pet grooming school (none in my area so I will have to relocate for a few months) and I too am an executive assistant. What school did you attend? Any advice you could give?
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groomergal
Champion
Posts:3
| | 02/16/2006 5:10 PM |
| | Hi Baily67,
Good for you for going after your dream. It's not easy to do to give up a career and a steady paycheck (or at least knowing what you will make each week) but somehow things always seem to work out when you follow your heart.
I live in Orlando and there are 2 schools here that I can tell you about. Please email me at violets560@aol.com and if you'd like I can give you my phone # so we can talk. I have a lot of info to pass on! | | | |
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