7 Pawsitively Perfect Jobs For Animal Lovers

Whether you want to cuddle puppies, ride horses, or make sure our environment is safe for wildlife, there are plenty of rewarding jobs out there for animal lovers. What’s more, not all of them need a degree to enter.

Here are seven top jobs for people who want to work with animals.

Vet

This is probably the first role that comes to mind when you think about working with animals. The full title is veterinarian. Vets are animal doctors, caring for a wide range of pets, livestock, and wildlife. Vets diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and health issues. They provide medical treatment, perform surgeries, and offer animal care advice. Some vets may specialise, for instance, working with horses or in a zoo.

To work as a vet in the UK, you must have a veterinary medicine degree approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. In the US, you’ll need a four-year undergraduate degree followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

A typical salary range for a UK vet stretches from £30,000 to £70,000. In the US, that salary range is generally $85,000 to $195,000.

Zookeeper

A zookeeper cares for zoo animals. This is a wide and varied role, covering duties such as:

• safeguarding animal well-being and enrichment
• feeding, cleaning, and grooming
• maintaining animal enclosures
• educating the public about conservation efforts
• caring for ill and wounded animals
• animal behaviour observation
• taking part in breeding and conservation activities

Due to the variety of zookeeping roles in the UK, entry qualifications vary from four to five GCSEs, a relevant college diploma in a topic like animal management, or a relevant degree, for instance, in biology or animal conservation. In the US, you’ll generally require a relevant degree to work as a zookeeper, although it may be possible to land a junior zookeeper role with high school qualifications and the correct work experience.

In the UK, a typical salary range for a zookeeper is £14,000 to £30,000. For a zookeeper in the US, that salary range is $33,000 to $52,000.

Pet Groomer

Pet groomers bathe, trim, and style pets. They also clean ears, clip nails, and make sure your pet’s overall hygiene is top-notch. Generally, pet groomers deal with furry or feathered pets, like dogs, cats, guinea pigs, or budgerigars.

In the UK, there are no set qualifications to work as a pet groomer, but it’ll generally be to your advantage to take a pet grooming course, for instance, a City and Guilds diploma or to train through an apprenticeship. The situation is similar in the US.

A typical salary range for a pet groomer in the UK is £13,000 to £28,000. In the US, that salary range is $37,000 to $65,000.

Nature Conservation Officer

If your animal interest lies in wildlife and nature, this might be the perfect role for you. A nature conservation officer protects the natural environment. They work in a wide variety of settings, including woodland, moorland, and coastal areas. You can find nature conservation officer roles in both the private and public sectors, working for local government, wildlife preserves, or well-known names like the National Trust.

Nature conservation officer duties might include:

• taking part in conservation events to raise awareness
• implementing sustainability policies
• increasing conservation awareness in schools and the community
• monitoring levels of biodiversity
• advising landowners and businesses

To work as a nature conservation officer in the UK, you’ll generally need a relevant degree like geography. Many UK nature conservation officers also have a masters degree that supports their work.

In the US, a nature conservation officer is involved with raising awareness and monitoring the environment, but the role also carries a law enforcement element. The US entry requirements to work as a nature conservation officer combine a relevant degree with the physical fitness, training, and clean criminal record needed to work in a law enforcement role.

The UK salary range for a nature conservation officer is £25,000 to £40,000. In the US, that salary range is $30,000 to $75,000.

Zoologist

A zoologist studies animals and how they behave in both their natural environment and controlled settings like zoos. Their work may also cover education and raising awareness, field research, wildlife management, and writing for scientific journals. A zoologist will often specialise in a specific animal group, like reptiles or insects.

To work as a zoologist in the UK or US, you’ll need a relevant degree, such as zoology or conservation.

The UK salary range to work as a zoologist is £18,000 to £45,000. In the US, that salary range is $30,000 to $100,000.

Veterinary Nurse

A veterinary nurse is a key member of the team that supports a veterinarian. In this role, you may find yourself:

• educating pet owners on how to care for their animals
• assessing and diagnosing ill and injured animals
• gathering health information
• treating ill and injured pets
• preparing animals for procedures

To work as a veterinary nurse in the UK, you must have achieved either a level 3 diploma in veterinary nursing, often as part of an apprenticeship, or a degree in veterinary nursing. In the US, you’ll need a degree in veterinary technology and to have passed the Veterinary Technician national exam.

The UK salary range for a veterinary nurse is £20,000 to £36,000. In the US, that salary range is $26,000 to $50,000.

Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

While these may be separate roles, they can also be combined. Both provide a service for pet owners who need a little help to exercise their pets or look after them while they’re out at work or on holiday. As a dog walker, you may find yourself walking more than one dog at a time, so knowing how to control dogs is a must. As a pet sitter, you’ll generally find yourself entering people’s homes to provide a familiar and less stressful environment for the pets. Pet sitting isn’t restricted to dogs. You might also look after cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, or reptiles. Most dog walkers and pet sitters are self-employed.

There are no set qualifications to work as a dog walker and pet sitter, but experience and relevant training, such as animal first aid, behaviour, and care, are recommended.

In the UK, a dog walker and/or pet sitter can typically earn between £16,000 and £26,000. In the US, those earnings range between $20,000 and $45,000.

Wrapping it up

No matter which animal is your favourite – even if that’s all of them – there are plenty of jobs that will combine that love with a salary. Start your job search today with Joblookup.