I Wish I Could Work with Animals, But…
Are you an animal lover who dreams of turning that passion into a career? Do you often wish you could find an animal job that lets you work with pets, wild animals, or even exotic animals, but worry that it isn’t practical?
Time to silence that nagging inner voice and remember the wise words of Confucius:
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
That timeless advice holds true—especially when you consider how many fulfilling animal care careers are available today.
Okay. What Animal Jobs Are Out There?
When most people think of animal care careers, a few familiar titles come to mind:
- Veterinarian
- Zookeeper
- Dolphin trainer
But the world of animal jobs is far more diverse than that. In fact, there are hundreds of careers that connect people with animals every day. Some require a degree in veterinary medicine or animal science, while others can be pursued with just a high school diploma and a deep love of animals.
You could work in animal health, train detection dogs, care for injured wildlife as a wildlife rehabilitator, or provide therapeutic services to animals. Many professionals specialize in rehabilitating wild animals, managing animal shelters, or enforcing animal control and animal welfare laws.
There are also specialized roles like animal scientists, animal husbandry experts, and veterinary pathologists that contribute to everything from disease control to improving life for farm animals.
Whether you’re interested in helping pet owners or protecting the planet’s most vulnerable species, there’s an animal care path for you.
Growing Demand for Animal-Assisted Therapy Professionals
The use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is expanding rapidly across healthcare, education, and mental health fields. Professionals in these roles—such as animal assisted therapists—help individuals dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and learning disorders using trained pets and animal care techniques.
This emerging field combines compassion with veterinary medicine and animal health knowledge—making it ideal for those seeking meaningful, healing work with animals.
Emphasis on Sustainable and Ethical Animal Practices
More animal care professionals and pet owners are embracing eco-conscious, ethical approaches to working with animals. Whether it’s using biodegradable grooming products or focusing on animals’ emotional well-being, ethical animal treatment is central to today’s animal welfare trends.
Careers in animal nutrition, animal cruelty investigation, and sustainable animal health practices are also growing in popularity. Even veterinary clinics are adopting greener practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What qualifications are needed for these unusual animal jobs?
A: It depends on the role. Some jobs—like animal care technician, wildlife biologist, or snake milker—require specialized training or certifications. Others, like animal shelter assistants or animal care attendants, focus more on hands-on experience and empathy.
Q: Are these careers financially sustainable?
A: Many of them are. For example, farriers (who care for horse hooves) can earn a median salary of $116,000, with those working in elite circles exceeding $200,000.
Q: How can I gain experience in these fields?
A: Volunteer work, internships, and training programs—such as those offered by Animal Behavior College—are excellent starting points for anyone looking to break into animal care careers.
9 Animal Careers You May Not Have Considered
Animal Colorist
From movies to pampered pets, these professionals give animals standout looks. Want a dog with tinsel or rainbow fur? That’s an animal colorist’s job.
Reptile Breeder
Raise snakes, turtles, and lizards, including exotic animals like Panther Chameleons and Bearded Dragons.
Pet Food Tester
Yes, they taste-test pet food—though they don’t actually eat it. Quality matters, even for animals.
Animal Massage Therapist
Once common only in horse racing, these experts now help dogs and cats relax, improve circulation, and recover from injuries.
Cat Trainer
It’s real—and surprisingly rewarding. These professionals teach cats skills and behaviors for performances, commercials, and at-home enrichment.
Animal Acupuncturist
An additional certification a DVM may pursue and with using techniques from veterinary medicine and Eastern traditions, these specialists treat pain through needle therapy. It sounds odd, but it works.
Wildlife Control Relocation Specialist
Manage encounters with wild animals—safely relocating them without harming them or the public. A great job for those who want to protect both animals and people.
Detection Dog Handler
Train animals to sniff out drugs, explosives, or even bed bugs. Animal control and safety meet cutting-edge skill.
Venomous Snake Milker
Not for the faint of heart, this rare animal job involves extracting venom for research and antivenom development.
How About Something I Can Actually Do?
We hear you. You want a career that:
- Gets you close to animals daily
- Doesn’t require medical school
- Can be started relatively quickly
- Is more exciting than pet grooming and safer than snake milking
Good news—becoming a Zookeeper Assistant may be just the fit. These professionals provide daily animal care to wild animals and exotic animals, educate visitors, assist in breeding programs, and contribute to the conservation of endangered species. It’s a great fit for any animal lover who wants to make a difference.
Zookeeper assistants may work in an animal facility or veterinary clinic, helping monitor veterinary care and managing enrichment for animals ranging from miniature horses to birds of prey. You could even help manage animal population programs or assist in wildlife rehabilitation efforts.
It’s also a great stepping stone for future careers such as dog trainer, animal trainer, or even veterinary surgeon—and certification can be earned in just 8 months online.
I’m Going to Follow My Passion!
That’s the spirit! Don’t let doubts keep you from pursuing a meaningful animal job. Whether you’re working in animal rescue, managing an animal shelter as a shelter manager, or training farm animals on a sustainable ranch, your love for animals can absolutely be the foundation of a rewarding career.
Confucius would be proud.
