Been thinking about working with animals

[Ross PK]

For the last couple of months, I've been thinking about working with animals.

 

It seems to be the only kind of job that I'd enjoy, and also helping animals would make me feel good too.

 

I never thought I'd be writing a post like this, but I almost feel ready for making steps towards making this happen.

 

I'm not sure what the first step is that I should take though.

 

I've been unemployed for years, with no qualifications, so obvioulsy I don't expect to just be able to walk into a decent job straight away.

 

Maybe if I started off with some voluntary work with animals, then that would give me a better chance of getting this kind of a job.

 

Maybe I should go to college, but then wouldn't that cost me something?

 

I don't want to dive into anything too soon, but I'm going to give things more thought, and see if there's anyone I could talk to about it.

[Duckduckgoose]

That is the same way I felt when I was considering career changes from Geospatial/GIS to nursing.

 

I too am currently unemployed and I've been thinking about nursing for a looooong time. The seeds got planted in my head from so many different sources.

 

TBH my first major in college was Pre-Vet. I got A's in all the hands on classes, and the anatomy/physiology stuff, but I failed the chemistry stuff so bad... they were really advanced chem. courses for a pre-vet class.

 

Vet techs have things a bit easier, their schooling isn't as long, etc.

 

Other ways you can work with animals is by starting cleaning out kennels as a volunteer at your local animal shelter. Once you master that you can start feeding, maintaining, and training them to find a good home. Just beware of working at a kill shelter. I volunteered at a kill shelter before and I would go home crying every day.

 

A few other things that are kind of cross-over work if you are interested in kind of dual or hybrid careers. Law Enforcement and the K9 units, in case you have police skills and want to work with your own dog.

 

EMT/Rescue services often have SAR (Search and Rescue) people they keep on staff that have trained hounds for finding lost people. I think there is a lot of travel involved with that.

 

Training therapy dogs, or bringing therapy dogs/cats to nursing homes so the elderly can enjoy the company of animals.

 

And one that kind of surprised me. Its only viable if you have a college degree though... is working for the TSA and having your own trained K9 unit for the search and seizure kind of line of work. They had one of those jobs open here where I live recently and it seemed really neat.

 

Of course I do see that they need dog groomers a lot, or people to work at pet-sitting facilities.

 

If you sincerely want to work with animals there are so many options. In college I herded cows for a bit... the skill has proven useful several times since... not just with cows either haha.

[zebracolors]

Hello Ross, hope you've been well. Really glad to hear of your inspiration to try something new. And to work with animals, awesome!

 

Unfortunately, if you went back to school for anything, it is going to cost you. I was unemployed for 2 years but found work last year of course and Ive since started a Graphic Design course. But there was no way I would make enough to fund tuition with this current job. So I had no choice but to apply for student aid. The good news is that most schools/lenders are willing to work with repayment options.

 

If you want to try working with animals then your idea of voluntary work at first with them is a good idea! Im not familiar with Britain but you might find a local animal shelter, and I know they are often in need of voluntary help. Or animal sanctuaries near you.

 

Just start off contacting them by phone or e-mail. (phoning them directly might help you to seem sincerely interested but its up to you) And by the way, voluntary work can go on a CV and it counts as real work experience.

 

This way you can see if its something that you do enjoy. I'm sure this will be some good experience for you.

 

..and good ideas Duckduck.

[Ross PK]

Hey ZC, yeah I've been okay.

[sammyd]

Hey Ross,

Well you've taken the first step already in deciding what you want to do!

Whereabouts in the UK are you? You do realise you could do a Diploma in animal care, and you could get funding to do it for free? I have a name of a course provider if you wanted to pm me for details? I did one a few years ago.

Good luck!