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General Work Experience with Animals

By: Margaret Paxton - Updated: 12 Jan 2025 | comments*Discuss
 
Animals Conservation Animal Careers

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, kennelsand 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 onetype of work, or a certain species of animal, they can then make a more informed decisionabout 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. Itis also one of the most valuable things to do for those interested in pursuing a career with animals.

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[Add a Comment]
I am currently in year 10 and I was looking into your placements as I will need one week of experience in July. I am passionate about working with animals and I am currently undertaking triple science hoping to obtain a career in biology. Please let me know if a space opens up.
Rob - 12-Jan-25 @ 1:29 PM
Hi my name is elouize reed i am 14 years old trying to find work experience. I love animals i have grown with so many different animals past the few years and i think i personally get along better with animals than humans. So if you can help me that would be great thank you ever so much.
weezie - 6-Mar-24 @ 9:37 PM
Hello, I am 15 years old and I am interested in taking in part in animal work experience as I have a burning passion to enter the veterinary field.
Ari - 25-Feb-24 @ 10:52 PM
Hi im 15 I'm lookin for a work experience placement w animals bc I love animals expecially dogs so if u have any advice where to go get back to me as soon as possible
Sum - 24-Feb-24 @ 9:31 AM
Hi. i am in year 10, my name is lucy and i am looking for a work experience, i love to work with animals it is my favorite thing to do, i’d love to do work experience here to help animals in need. Can i do work experience here (in doncaster) if so i would love to do work experience here, if this is possible please get back to me asap. Thank you.
lucy - 15-Mar-23 @ 3:53 PM
Im currently in year 10 and need to find a work placement for July 2020. I'm passionate about becoming a vet and am looking for a suitable placement in either a vets practice or similar placement.
Aspinall33 - 13-Oct-19 @ 5:53 PM
Hi, I'm in year 10 and looking for work experience. I've always loved looking after pets. I've always wanted to work with animalsbecause I want to help the unfortunate dogs who have had a bad start in life.
Han - 15-Sep-19 @ 10:14 AM
Hi, my name is Georgia and I am looking for a work placement for my Level 2 Animal Nursing course with Eccles sixth Form College. I am 16 and I am struggling to find a vacancy which accepts children under 18 and can’t find a placement. If anyone can help me with anything please email me. I will do any volunteer work or paid if possible. Thanks.
Georgia - 2-Sep-19 @ 4:09 PM
I am in Year 9 and I am looking for work experience for Year 10. I love animals and I would like to find a work experience placement in an animal place like a farm or a vets. I would like to go into working with animals later in life so would be great to get somewhere animal related so I know if its for me or not.
Chloe - 9-Jul-19 @ 3:10 PM
I am currently a gap year student and I have taken Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics A levels. I am writing to ask for work experience anytime between the dates 15 August and 30 September 2019 for 3 weeks. I spent time working at the Ankavet Animal Hospital in Cyprus, Volunteering at the Marine Turtle Conversation Project and at Taskent Nature Park. I also had the chance to gain experience working with cattle at The State Production Farms and with horses at Aner Atli Spor Kulübü. I would like to gain some more clinical work experience in Manchester and expand my skillset before applying to study veterinary medicine this October.
Ecem - 10-May-19 @ 2:02 PM
I am looking for work experience with animals. I am 16 , 17 in June . I have done a year at college studying animal care and working on the farm in Crystal Palace Park.
Demdem - 3-May-19 @ 5:29 PM
Hi my name is Charmaine, I am 14 and I am looking for work experience with animals as I am in year 10 and I would really like to work with animals when I finish school, I love animals and I would really like a job with them.
Charmaine1x - 21-Nov-18 @ 4:59 PM
i am 14 looking for work experience with dogs. I have a pation for working with dogs in general. I am bassed in wakefield
tom - 14-Nov-18 @ 10:14 AM
kimberley - Your Question:
Hi my name is Kim. I'm 15 years old and im based in Liverpool , England. I am currently looking for any work experience with animals. I am in my last year of school and are looking to soon apply to a college , the colleges I have been looking at suggest work experience with animals. can you help ?

Our Response:
Your best option is to contact veterinary practices and animal rescue homes in your area directly. We cannot help you via this site and it is always avisable to contact the company directly so you know they are valid.
CareerWithAnimals - 17-Sep-18 @ 12:19 PM
hi my name is Kim. I'm 15 years old and im based in Liverpool , England . I am currently looking for any work experience with animals . I am in my last year of school and are looking to soon apply to a college , the colleges i have been looking at suggest work experience with animals . can you help ?
kimberley - 15-Sep-18 @ 5:03 PM
I'm a 14 year old looking for work experience next year in some sort of zoology particularly marine zoology. I'm based in Melbourne and would love some advice.
Lauryn - 11-Jun-18 @ 10:44 AM
CoralB - Your Question:
Hello, I am a 14 year old girl in need of some work experience to work with animals. I am based in Farnsfield, and the places I have so far applied for have only been for 16 year olds and older. I am very passionate about working with animals and playing with them. Taking care of them makes me happy, resulting in me working harder.

Our Response:
Unfortunately, you may find this with many organisations due to insurance reasons. You may be able to gain work experience through your parents if they are willing to volunteer and bring you with them. The likes of the National Trust may be helpful here here .
CareerWithAnimals - 19-Mar-18 @ 3:42 PM
Hello, i am a 14 year old girl in need of some work experience to work with animals. I am based in Farnsfield, and the places i have so far applied for have only been for 16 year olds and older. I am very passionate about working with animals and playing with them. Taking care of them makes me happy, resulting in me working harder.
CoralB - 19-Mar-18 @ 12:53 AM
I am 16 years old and doing level 3 year 1 animal management at Reaseheath College. I have 3 weeks I need to do a work placement (30th April-18th May) but I can start earlier. I live in Crewe but can also go to Nantwich.
Emma - 11-Jan-18 @ 9:54 AM
Hi, im Elsa, im a 14 year old girl intrested in working with animals but I have anxiety and have trouble with finding work experience. I love animals so much. Any way you can help me? :) thanks
Elsa - 29-Dec-17 @ 12:20 AM
Hi, I'm a year 10 looking for work experience in June. I will be 25 and I'm just looking for somewhere where I can just help out and be an Extra pair of hands but in the future I would like to work with and help abused and abandoned pets.
Charlie - 14-Nov-17 @ 3:41 PM
Hello I’m karly , I’m 14 and based in Luton , I am looking for work experience with animals in shelters , clinics or vet centers . I’m very confident and have a strong compassion for animals. I been helping animals for a long as I can remember. I have a strong bond with a lot or animals and find I understand them really well and would love to work with them in the future. Not sure where I’d start but would like to improve my CV as I know this would help. I know that my age will make things harder but if you have any anvice on what to do please let me know .
Karly - 12-Oct-17 @ 5:19 PM
I am 14 and looking to do two weeks work experience as well as becoming a volunteer on a Saturday. I live in Liverpool and have to work my placement for two weeks in January. I am struggling finding a placement and volunteering role. I wish to become a zoo keeper and wish to gain as much experience as possible before leaving school. I would be most grateful for any help/advise and suggestions for placement/volunteering work. With kind regardsGabby
Gabby - 2-Aug-17 @ 7:27 PM
Hello, I am 16 years old and I'm looking for work experience. I used to have pets but have no overall experience. I haven't decided what I would like to do in the future yet but I want to experience how working with animals feels like since I genuinely love them. This would certanly help me decide my future career. I am available in any holidays and wouldn't mind working full time cleaning (any type of) animals, their habitat or observing small surgeries.
Paula - 25-Mar-17 @ 5:30 PM
Hi I'm doing my work experience in July and looking for a placement how would I go about doing so many thanks jake
Jake - 25-Jan-17 @ 9:13 PM
I am 16 years old and i am looking for a placement i`m at Askham Bryan collage studding animal care level 2 I am very good with animal such as cat, dog, parrots and other small animals like gerbils
jake - 30-Nov-16 @ 10:02 AM
Hi my name is Bobby and I'm 15 I'm looking for work experience with animals,I live in rutland uk and I'm n o t sure were to start,can anyone help.
Bobby - 3-Nov-16 @ 9:08 PM
I am 14 yrs old and I am interested in getting work experience with animals. Most people tell me that because of my age that I might as well wait until I am 16 before I look at it. If people do say I can look at experience I have to do it through school. I love animals and I find I understand them well so I would love to work towards a career with them. I don't live on a farm or anything like that (I would if I could) I just have my dog who is 10yrs old. I want to improve my CV to improve my chances in the future. I would be grateful for any advice you can give me.
Jo D - 28-Oct-16 @ 9:59 AM
I am 14 and I'll be doing work experience in a couple of months. I want to work with animals when I finish collage. I would like to know the number so I can call up. I live in stoke so Newcastle or Hanley would be preferable but if not somewhere in the vicinity. Please reply ASAP
April - 29-Sep-16 @ 4:23 PM
Hi I'm Zoe and I'm 14 years old I'll be helping animals when I'm in year 10 animals are my life I've got a dog cat rabbitand a bearded dragon I know how to look after any animal but I'm looking for some thing to do With animals and the right person to let me join thx zoe
Zobo - 31-May-16 @ 10:09 AM
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