How to get a start working with animals

[Nutcuttlit 359]

Ok i know this my seem a bizarre topic but hopefully it may help someone who is struggling to find that dream job working with scaley, cute or cuddly and the big toothies of this world.

First and most importantly is compassion, it cant be taught and is the bread and butter of this field. You could have any quals you want but this is what employers look for, which moves us swiftly to the second thing.

Volunteer work is your gateway, if you keep turning up to work without pay the pwople running the facility are more likely to employ you over some university/colledge student with a zoology degree because you have hands on experience and not just some facts from a book.

Listen to your peers because you'll learn more on the job than in a classroom because every situation is different. Animals are unpredictable they can attack through fear or to assert dominance but there are signs you will be taught by experienced staff that you can only learn with boots on the ground.

Whilst volunteering get your quals in any field you wish to specialise in, herpetology and rodentia is what i went for but everyone has a path they must follow.

Any questions anyone may have or what quals you need just chuck me a message and ill be more than happy to help out a fellow animal enthusiast.

 

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[tronic44 3,642]

Love this thread! I've always loved animals and always thought i'd get into something to do with them if my career in the film industry didn't go anywhere.

 

Once all this is over i may look into possibly volunteering somewhere in London, i'll just have to gage what my wok load will be like when i get back. I do like the idea of working with snakes and exotic animals like you do but i honestly think i'd love working with dogs in a shelter.

[Diddums 4,346]

Cheers Nutty, I'll send this to Kurt, he might even sign up and have some questions or whatever. He sounds quite excited at the prospect of working with animals, it's just a case of where to start, so this is fantastic. 

[Nutcuttlit 359]

No worries, always happy to answer any questions or potentially open some doors. 

 

[Nutcuttlit 359]

3 hours ago, tronic44 said:

Love this thread! I've always loved animals and always thought i'd get into something to do with them if my career in the film industry didn't go anywhere.

 

Once all this is over i may look into possibly volunteering somewhere in London, i'll just have to gage what my wok load will be like when i get back. I do like the idea of working with snakes and exotic animals like you do but i honestly think i'd love working with dogs in a shelter.

Working with dogs is probably harder than what i do because its easier to want to take them home than exotics are due to the set ups required. 

[MrBiron 1,458]

I honestly wish when I was younger I'd have looked into working with animals as a career. I bloody love all animals! Sadly I think I'm too old now to start doing it. 

[francisbaud 10]

Nice topic! I always loved animal but didn't think I could work in this field at the time.

[GazzaGarratt 11,066]

Nice one @Nutcuttlit ! my mum has always wanted to do something like this.

 

A few questions to help her would be ace:

 

Is there any books you can recommend her reading? I'm thinking more to understand about what types of medicines and critical things animals need.

 

What types of volunteering jobs would you suggest doing? Specific animal jobs or general jobs across all like cleaning, feeding, etc? Maybe knowing what you did helps?

[Nutcuttlit 359]

The books would really depend on what type order of animal she was intrested in most and as for volunteering jobs just look online in your local area. I did this and im now on the list for building up pipistrelles before releasing back to the wild. If its for common house pets i suggest dogs trust sspca/rspca. Exotics are harder though local zoos or collections sometimes take on volunteers.

Nice one [mention=1640]Nutcuttlit [/mention]! my mum has always wanted to do something like this.
 
A few questions to help her would be ace:
 
Is there any books you can recommend her reading? I'm thinking more to understand about what types of medicines and critical things animals need.
 
What types of volunteering jobs would you suggest doing? Specific animal jobs or general jobs across all like cleaning, feeding, etc? Maybe knowing what you did helps?

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[Nutcuttlit 359]

Never say never bud, you can volunteer at any age and the only thing that holds anyone back is themselves.

I honestly wish when I was younger I'd have looked into working with animals as a career. I bloody love all animals! Sadly I think I'm too old now to start doing it. 

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[Nutcuttlit 359]

Its a very valid reason also some people find out quickly it aint for them once they start. The other main reason is the animals simply dont like the keepers, its not always a can you do it, its mostly will the animal let you do it.

Nice topic! I always loved animal but didn't think I could work in this field at the time.

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[phil bottle 9,822]

Its a very valid reason also some people find out quickly it aint for them once they start. The other main reason is the animals simply dont like the keepers, its not always a can you do it, its mostly will the animal let you do it.


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[GazzaGarratt 11,066]

7 hours ago, Nutcuttlit said:

The books would really depend on what type order of animal she was intrested in most and as for volunteering jobs just look online in your local area. I did this and im now on the list for building up pipistrelles before releasing back to the wild. If its for common house pets i suggest dogs trust sspca/rspca. Exotics are harder though local zoos or collections sometimes take on volunteers.
 

 

 

I'll definitely ask her what she wants to get into. I'm pretty sure common house pets is what she'd love to get into more because of her love for dogs.