Top 5 Pathways To Getting a Job With Animals

This one is probably not what you expected to see when you read the title of the list, but the forces employ dog handlers across the board to ensure our nation’s safety. Whether it’s the police, army, RAF or HM revenue and customs, the fire services, search and rescue or private security, there’s opportunities to work with a canine companion in the forces.

Dog handlers must be interested in working with and caring for dogs, assertive in dealing with people and dogs, able to handle large dogs, observant, reliable and responsible, able to make good judgements, able to work as part of a team or alone without supervision, able to cope with difficult or dangerous situations and physically fit.

To become a dog handler there are a number of qualities and qualifications you need to have, all of them depending on the sector/force you are looking to work in. They all require you to join the force before you can apply for the dog section (unless you decide to become a dog handler in a private security firm). Once this is complete and your application is accepted, you will undergo a training course with your allocated dog and these courses vary, again, depending on the force you are working in. For more specific and detailed in formation on how to become a dog handler, click here.

Some zoological and safari parks require a certain level of qualification from those offering their working services (whether paid or not) however, many will be happy to take on interns as a helping hand. As an intern, it gives you the opportunity to learn and expand your knowledge, wisdom and experience of working alongside animals.

Phoning up or asking at reception desks is the best way to find out about the availability of internships at a zoo. You can also look on the zoo’s website to see if they have a section dedicated to jobs and vacancies. Below is a list of the UK’s most popular Zoos:
Chester Zoo, London Zoo, Marwell Zoo, Chessington Zoo, Colchester Zoo and be sure to research local zoos in your area as these will be more convenient for you.

If you do end up as an intern, it is important that you make the most of your time there in order to maximise your chances of moving on into a paid job (be it at that same zoo or another one). Work hard, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and, most importantly, enjoy yourself!

If you weren’t already aware of a recruitment agency’s role, it is to recruit (shock-horror) jobseekers for employers with job vacancies. You can find that a number of recruitment agencies specialise in recruitment within a certain industry. For example; The Grooms List is an equine recruitment agency dedicated to finding and advertising grooms and yard staff looking for a job with horses and enabling employers to advertise any job vacancies they have working with horses to those jobseekers.

Work alongside the recruitment agency to help them identify your strengths and selling points. Be sure to have a CV ready with your qualities and experience before you establish contact and if any changes need to be made, they can advise you with that.
Recruitment agencies always have plenty of great contacts to help you find a job, so it would be highly beneficial to get in contact with the right one for you. It’s worth doing your research to ensure that you are working alongside the right recruitment agency for what it is you’re looking to do but there are plenty out there and they will almost be able to guarantee you a work placement.

Education, for many, is the best route into a work placement. Certain jobs require specific qualifications and others favour those who’ve acquired the knowledge needed. Not only that, but places of education often have good contacts within the industry to help students coming out of their college/university get a job in their desired industry.
Colleges and Universities can offer you a plethora of animal-related courses, for example – You could go to an agricultural college and study Animal Science or farm management. Alternatively, you could study zoology or animal behaviour at university.

There are so many ways to work with animals that doesn’t necessarily involve direct contact. You could study wildlife documentary production or equine business management. Essentially, there’s a whole host of courses out there for you to study that could help you get into a career that involves working with animals. You can find all the “animal” courses, available to study at British universities on the UCAS site.

If you do decide to apply for a course, get in touch with your college and ask if you can speak with a UCAS advisor. They will be able to help you through your application to ensure that you have the best chance of receiving offers from the universities you apply for. And remember – ALWAYS apply to at least 3 centres.

There are a whole host of charities devoted to the wellbeing and protection of animals so finding an animal charity to work for shouldn’t be an issue. Do some research on charities near you that you like and approach them directly. Whether on the phone, by e-mail or by showing your face and paying them a visit. Introduce yourself, tell them who you are, what you’ve done and why you want to be a part of their team. Express your desire to work with animals but, if needed, offer your services as a volunteer (remember you are not being paid so only give up time that you have to give) and gain some valuable work experience. If you have fun and enjoy yourself, the chances are that you’re doing a good job which could lead to you being offered a paid role there.
Keep in mind that, while some charity work involves direct interaction with the animals, it can also be centred around ensuring that the charity’s operations run smoothly.

Be sure to do your own research, but below is a list of charities you could think about volunteering for to kickstart your career:
WWF, RSPCA, RSPB, Blue Cross and NAWT