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Sector Outlook
Although working with animals remains fiercely competitive, job oppor tunities
throughout the United Kingdom are generally on the increase. In 2013, as par t
of its ‘Get Britain Working’ campaign a survey by the Daily Mirror found 2,639
jobs offering the oppor tunity to work with animals. Whether you want to work
in a veterinary practice, an animal shelter, a zoo, or even set up your own
business as a dog walker the oppor tunities are available if you are prepared
to look for them. As always, relevant experience and accredited courses will
improve your chances of getting the job you want whether it’s hands-on or an
office based suppor t role. Useful websites such as
www.animal-job.co.ukand
www.animaljobsdirect.comoffer a good star ting point but generic job search
websites will also help you to hunt down the vacancy that is right for you.
Popular career areas for young people include veterinary roles, animal care
and conservation work. To get your foot in the door you should first gain
experience and demonstrate commitment through volunteering. You could
consider contacting organisations such as OneKind, the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
about possible volunteering oppor tunities. A willingness to work at weekends
or during the evenings will also bring more job oppor tunities your way,
especially for roles in animal rescue.
Typically, there is a shor tage of male workers in the animal care sector,
notably in veterinary nursing, and an increase in animal welfare is likely to lead
to more job oppor tunities for pet sitters, dog walkers, and animal behaviour
trainers. In contrast there is likely to be fewer vacancies in zoos and animal
parks even though such employers tend to retain large numbers of staff.
Similarly, with more people shopping online and the rise of pet superstores,
there is likely to be fewer job vacancies with small independent pet shops.
Animals