I'm currently in a high powered office job that I hate. I want to work with animals. How do I find such work?

Question

I've been trying to have a complete change of career. I am currently stuck in an office job. It's high-powered and well paid but I am at a stage where I am desperate to do something more rewarding, even if it means taking a big drop in salaray and retraining. My problem is that I don't know where to start looking. I've looked in the local press but there don't seem to be anything other than office jobs

Answer 1

first, the SPCA is always looking for a few good people. if you want to take it to a serious level, veterinary school. also the humane society does some very wonder full work for animals. ask around some of your local vets offices. there is plenty of work for people who love animals. good luck in your ventures. may God guide and bless you.spread the Love. blessed be,

Answer 2

Don't forget that animal welfare charities, zoos and the like also need competent office staff. You may have just the skills they need. Just put your c.v. together and send it out, it can't do any harm.
Enclose an s.a.e. and a letter asking for advice, say that you are looking for a change of career and want to something more rewarding, if your lucky someone working in the field may have time to give you some advice.
The problem with working with animals is not just that its filthy dirty and very low paid, its that you need a certain set of skills to do it. Many people grow up with animals and have skills that are very difficult to teach. If you are completely untrained you are a liability, because you'll need constant supervision so that you don't either get into trouble or cause it! That doesn't make you a huge asset; so if you're determined just start at the bottom and volunteer for a few hours each month.
See if there are any animal care courses you can do as evening classes. You need real life hands on experience.
Or apply to re-train as an RSPCA inspector.
But bottom line is that office staff are a necessity, and you might have some really good skills to offer behind the scenes.

Answer 3

I don't know what kind of work you do in an office but there's a LOT of farms that use office staff. If you can do bookkeeping there's a LOT of that in KY. Get around Lexington expecially and there's a lot of it.

If you are willing to do "grunt work" (start from the ground up) there is ALWAYS work to be done on farms. No computer will ever replace working hands on. Cattle, pigs, horses, etc etc all still need people doing the work.
Many will train you. Your biggest strike - being suspect for being undercover animal rights as so many take jobs and manufacture "evidence" against farms. Some is legit most isn't. You may have for that reason a difficult time breaking in. If you have any savings and are willing to relocate there ARE jobs available - maybe not too far depending on where you are. They *PROBABLY* will NOT be in urban/city newspapers...a waste of $$ due to the high cost and the very small chance of getting anyone who will actually WORK and is willing to take the smaller income for working.

If you're serious email me and I'll help you find some leads

Answer 4

On the off chance contact all the Veterinary Centres/Hospitals and Rescue Centres (like the RSPCA, PDSA and Blue Cross) to see if they have got anything that they haven't advertised yet. I know both the RSPCA and PDSA in my area (Bristol) have recently advertised in the local press for paid staff (nursing and office). And they are always crying out for Volunteers to help them. (If you start by cutting some of your hours at work, and do some volunteering (your bosses might let you have some paid time, it will make look good/have a warm fuzzy image) you will be in the right place when a paid position).

Answer 5

Try a local vet or kennel, first.

You may be able to break in by doing volunteer work.

I used to volunteer at a Wildlife rehab centre in Oklahoma where I worked with all kinds of small animals and birds (including birds of prey!).
If you Volunteer at a place for a while and are a reliable worker, you may find an opportunity to hire on as staff. :)

Otherwise, you could always go back to school and get a degree in zoology or something. ;)

Answer 6

Depends if you've got much in the way of savings. I saw a tv prog. where a highly paid office worker gave it all up, bought a small holding and got some rare breed pigs and learned the hard way on the job.
You could get a piece of land and apply for a grant to breed rare pigs,(for example), you could sustain yourself without sacrificing too much.
You'd have to research deeply and I have to admitt to not knowing much more than that. But where there's a will there's a way.
Good luck.

Answer 7

I did that very thing last year. I was miserable at the office.

Now, I am a certified animal sports massage therapist. I work for myself, set my own schedule, make great $$$, and alleviate suffering in animals.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, e-mail me through Yahoo!Answers for more info on how to find a good school.

Answer 8

Why not visit a Pet Shop, the Zoo or a veterinary clinic if these are located in your area. They may have employment for a person like you.

Answer 9

There are many places you can start. Contact a local animal shelter, ASPCA, Humane Society or Veterinarian.

Answer 10

Unfortunately - if you don't count Vet and rescue centre work, a lot of work with animals is volunteer work. You could try that for a little while and see if you get lucky!