General Work Experience with Animals

For people who love animals but are not sure which particular animals they would like to work with, or what sort of animal-related job appeals to them, general work experience with animals is a good place to start. It also helps to build self-confidence and provides the opportunity to work as part of a team

Simple Beginnings

Working with domestic pets is probably the most convenient way to build general experience because there are so many; along with pet-related industries. Pet shops, kennels and catteries, grooming parlours, veterinary practices and animal charities are just some of the businesses that may be able to offer paid, or unpaid, work to the keen beginner who genuinely wants to learn.

Basic Care

Animals require food, water and shelter as absolute basics for survival. For animals to be happy, well adjusted and properly cared for takes a lot more time, effort and money! Animals need love, confidence and security. Compare the facial expressions and body carriage of abandoned pets, shown on TV, to those of much-loved family pets. That shows the distinct difference between surviving and living happily.

Working with pets promotes bonding with humans-animals would previously have had close relationships with their mother and litter mates-their pack. Animal carers play a vital role in the welfare of animals.

The best way to learn about animals is to observe them. Watch the body language between them and study their behavioural patterns. With wildlife and conservation projects, this is also relevant. When experts are dealing with gorillas or lions, for example, similar basic rules of care apply, but it can be life-threatening if an animal handler misreads or oversteps the accepted boundaries!

Work Experience

Whether their work experience takes place in a zoo, a farm, an animal charity centre, or the local pet shop, there are some tasks that have to be done as part of the animal's routine. Routine is important because it means animals know what to expect and when-that equates to security.

Main chores are to ensure all animals in their care have a comfortable, clean, place to sleep, fresh water and a good, balanced, diet. Time must also be found for grooming, training, exercise and play/companionship, appropriate to the animal. The bulk of general animal care, whatever the animal, consists of these regular tasks. Immunisation, worming, general health checks and record-keeping are other essentials.

Where to Find Help and Advice

Depending on the age and experience of an animal care worker, there are several options.

• Careers advisors at schools
• Local library and telephone directories
• Local, national and international animal charities
• Dog warden and local, council-run, animal centres/conservation schemes
• Friends and family
• Agricultural colleges, zoos, animal parks
• Pet shops, veterinary practices, farms and stables

It is ideal to spend a certain amount of time with each, or at least some, of the above. That way, more general experience can be gained and different teaching techniques seen. If it becomes clear during the general animal work that a person has a natural affinity with one type of work, or a certain species of animal, they can then make a more informed decision about what to do next.

The Next Step

When someone has done general work experience with animals and decides that they want to learn more, they could look for full time employment in the area that interests them most and find out about taking qualifications like an NVQ or BTEC in Animal Care. Although qualifications are not normally needed for basic animal care positions (and the pay reflects this) previous experience as a volunteer worker shows a degree of commitment and genuine interest.

Summary

General work experience with animals can be hard in several ways. It is physically demanding, poorly paid, sometimes monotonous and mentally and emotionally draining. It is also one of the most valuable things to do for those interested in pursuing a career with animals.