If you are an ardent animal lover, a career in animal care might be right up your alley.
And this is a good time for it too.
Pet ownership has increased over the years and pets have rightfully gotten their place as equal family members.
And pet parents are willing to spend to keep their furry friends comfortable and happy. This means that there is a high demand for professionals in animal care.
However, do not jump into it blindly. Here is a list of things you must know before taking up a career in animal care.
1. You Must Have a Caring Personally
People that work with animals must be naturally compassionate. Animals are said to be able to sense when people care. When you show love to an animal, what you get back is love.
You must also be empathetic with pet owners. For example, making a life-altering decision for a pet such as having a limb amputated is not easy. You must, therefore, show genuine concern, and be helpful and understanding.
2. You Must be an Excellent Communicator
Good communication skills are necessary for almost every client-facing role. If you want to get into animal care, you must ensure that you are a great communicator. Many professionals in this field have to interact regularly with pet owners and have to work hand in hand.
For example, professionals such as dog trainers or animal behaviorists must communicate progress periodically and must collaborate with pet owners to achieve their goals. Possessing excellent communication skills is, therefore, not a choice.
When you set your mind to pursue this line of work, you must make a conscious effort to improve your communication skills if you are not a good communicator.
3. Research is Key
To prevent any surprises, it is prudent to do your homework before jumping into animal care. You might want to take a look at this career guide for pet lovers to get comprehensive information about the industry.
Here, you will find different career options, training requirements, prospective salaries as well as roles and responsibilities.
You can also consider talking to a few people in the field to get first-hand information on the pros and cons of being a professional in this industry.
4. Nothing Goes as Planned
Unlike most careers that come with a level of predictability, working with animals is quite the opposite.
For example, the equipment you need to use as a veterinary technician might spook off a dog during a consultation, making procedures last longer than anticipated.
A dog might also refuse to stay put on their grooming appointment and so on. Essentially, no two clients will be alike, and no two days at work will be similar.
It will undoubtedly help to have your wits about you.
5. There are Many Specializations
If you think you might get bored or have limited room for growth a few years into your career, you are dead wrong.
Most careers in this industry have numerous options for specialization. Consider taking additional courses every so often.
While not every course is cheap, studying will pay off in the end.
6. Animal Care Jobs Pay Well
Animal care workers earn good money.
Granted, most professions in this field are mainly motivated by their love for animals. However, everyone appreciates having a job that is both emotionally and financially fulfilling.
In a Nutshell
Animal care jobs have their own peculiarities, just like all other jobs do. But they are extremely rewarding.
If your love for animals and seeing them happy and healthy is strong enough, nothing should prevent you from pursuing a career in animal care.
