Animals are extremely important in our lives and if you are one of the many people who love animals and would like to make the world a better place for them there are huge variety of careers in the Animal Care sector. We also have a huge Equine industry in the UK so if you have a particular love for horses a career in horse care and management could be for you.
Some of these jobs may require a degree but others just require a love of and interest in animals, relevant experience or other relevant Animal or Horse care qualifications.
Labour Market Information
Animal Care Apprenticeships
A range of recruiters offer animal apprenticeships, from local veterinary surgeries and animal charities to zoos and wildlife parks.
The RSPCA offers apprenticeships from Levels 2 to 6 (GCSE to degree) in animal centres, working directly with animals or in office-based support roles. Learn more at
Pets At Home offer Dog Groomer apprenticeships where you'll spend 13 months working for its Groom Room.
There's also the chance to receive a Level 2 or 3 apprenticeship qualification as a Dog Handler in the Army Medical Service
Career Paths
Opportunities exist within veterinary work, the pet industry, animal grooming, boarding and training, animal sanctuaries, nature reserves, zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums.
Examples of jobs include:
Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Nurse, Animal Technician, Animal Health Inspector, Canine Beautician, Small Animal Hydrotherapist, Zoo keeper, Dog Groomer, Kennel Assistant, Bee Farmer, Cattery Manager, Veterinary Practice Manager, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Physiotherapist, Farm Manager, Fish Farm Manager.
Opportunities exist within veterinary work, the pet industry, animal grooming, boarding and training, animal sanctuaries, nature reserves, zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums.
Examples of jobs include:
Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Nurse, Animal Technician, Animal Health Inspector, Canine Beautician, Small Animal Hydrotherapist, Zoo keeper, Dog Groomer, Kennel Assistant, Bee Farmer, Cattery Manager, Veterinary Practice Manager, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Physiotherapist, Farm Manager, Fish Farm Manager.
Careers exist within the veterinary/horse health and welfare industry, horseracing, eventing and show-jumping, ex-racehorse rehabilitation and retraining, farriery, stable management and breeding.
Example jobs include Equine Vet, Equine Dental Technician, Equine Physiotherapist, Farrier, Groom, Stable Hand, Foaling Specialist, Jockey, Riding Instructor, Stable Manager.
Key Skills
When dealing with animal welfare it is important to be able to consider and understand the experience and emotions of animals especially if they have been ill-treated. Animals may be timid or violent as a result of their experiences and service workers need to know how to engage with animals in a sensitive and tactful way, so that the animals feel comfortable and safe. If not dealing with animals directly, for example if you were working with a charitable organisation on the fundraising side, having empathy could help you to appeal more effectively for donations.
Depending on the type of animal and environment it could take time for them to adapt to their new environment. Animals can be fearful, shy, or aggressive and past experiences can affect how they cope with new and stressful situations. Gentle handling, care, and patience to wait for animals to respond in their own time can help to get animals used to their new environments and situations and will help them to know that you are not a threat.
Knowledge and training around proper animal handling – this could be a dedicated course at college or university, but could also include informal or formal training gained in the work place through paid or voluntary work, or skills gained from keeping animals yourself. Some people will have natural abilities, skills and temperament for working with animals, but sometimes this may come with practice as well.
Animals have feelings and experience fear, pain, anxiety and desperation just like humans. People who intend to work in organisations that help animals should understand about animal safeguarding skills so that they are able to detect signs of abuse or neglect and know how to react to and report these in the right way.
Communication is important for being able to deal effectively with people that own animals you may come into contact with, or with people you are working alongside as a colleague. If you work for the RSPCA or similar organisation you may need to deal with people who are neglecting or abusing animals, so effective communication with these individuals will also be important.
The British Horse Society has created its own list of skills which it considers essential for working in the Equine Industry: British Horse Society Skills for the Industry
Useful Links
Prospects
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National Careers Service
Find out what a job involves and if it's right for you.
I-Could
Run by the Education and Employers charity as part of Inspiring the Future. icould.com can be used as a standalone resource or to support the future’s core activities.
Careers Pilot
It's never been more important to look in detail at your career choices, find out where jobs are and which courses to do.
Target Careers
Find out what different careers involve and how to get into them.
BHS
Whether you want to gain professional, industry recognised qualifications to spring-board your equine career or you simply want to learn more about horses and improve your skills for personal achievement there’s a pathway for you.
RSPCA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is the world's oldest and largest animal welfare charity, with the primary focus of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming or releasing animals across England and Wales.
National Horseracing College (NHC)
NHC’s wide range of courses specifically cater for the staffing needs of the British racing industry. They offer a range of courses, apprenticeships and work experience.
Volunteering and Work Experience
You can find more details below on ways of gaining work experience in the Animal care area that interests you.
British Wildlife Centre
Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
National Animal Welfare Trust
Nottingham Wildlife Trust
Riseholme College Dog Grooming Courses
Volunteering with animals - Prospects.ac.uk
Where can I find Animal jobs
Animal Jobs Direct
Animal Jobs Direct is dedicated to providing recruitment and training solutions for the animal care sector. Whether you are a school leaver, graduate or a professional looking for a career change, this site is for you.
APHA
Details of working for APHA, along with current vacancies and study opportunities, and information on how to apply.
Army
The Army has many different job roles available
Indeed - Animal Care
Indeed website can provide information various jobs in this sector
Reed
Reed website can provide information various jobs in this sector
SynergyVets
Recruitment agency which specialises in the veterinary sector.
Vettimes Jobs
This website has a variety of veterinary jobs across the veterinary industry from Vet Surgeons and Nurses to Academic and Commercial positions.
Blue Cross
Blue Cross is a charity organisation which looks after the welfare of pets.
RSPCA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is the world's oldest and largest animal welfare charity, with the primary focus of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming or releasing animals across England and Wales.
RCVS - Veterinary Careers
As the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), we register veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to practise in the UK, and regulate their educational, ethical and clinical standards.