17 year old seeking part-time job with animals?

Question

I want a career in the animal care/conservation field but I don't know where to start. Most of the jobs available for people of my experience have nothing to do with animals. I am already volunteering at my local nature reserve, attending talks and guided walks on wildlife, and studying a course in animal behaviour. What's a good first job for getting my foot in the door in the wildlife field?

Answer 1

when I was 17 I got a job in a pet shop (you need to be 16 to get a job there) - In a pet shop you learn all about certain animal care - and its a start :D

My friend wants to be a vet and went down to the local vet and voulenteers there from time to time - which is also a start!

You could do dog walking and things for a BASIC start to gain references and things.

What about going to college/or a local course to study "animal care"?. After you do a few years studying it, they will give you a placement.

Just some suggestions, hope they help :)

Answer 2

Hi,

Fair play to you. It sounds as though you already have "a foot in the door" in wildlife work.

I guess it depends where you live.
I am lucky to have both Whipsnade and Woburn within a half hour drive, and although I visit, but do not work there, the dedication and knowledge of the staff always impresses me.

They do have posters up in the buildings asking for staff all the time, and you can send off for a form to tick which species you are most interested in, as a prospectve "apprentice"

I don't think the salary is great at a wildlife reserve, but do beleive that if you are working at what you love is more important

All the best with it

Bob

Answer 3

I'm 18 and I'm seeking for a job too, I tried finding in some websites... Some differences are that I am Costa Rican, and I live in CR. Any good answer can help me either even the places we live are different. My problem is that i'm in college, so i just have weekends, and here employers want at least 5 days per week. But I keep seeking. I worked for McDonald's here, and I think it would be very difficult to you to find some job because here, you have to be at least 16, and McDonald's is the only FastFood employer here that admit teens from 16 years old. I dont want to make you feel bad, but is hard to find a formal job with 14. Try with some family business, maybe your uncle or your grandma, i dont know, someone in our family could have a job for you. Remember any loyal work is compensated... You know what you have the same attitude I had, and THAT'S GOOD

Answer 4

I worked as a veterinary technician for four years, and my vet always had high school students as kennel assistants. You get a ton of experience in animal husbandry and you can ask questions of the veterinarians you work for every chance you get! As soon as you could go full time, you could look for an assistant or tech position where you could learn nursing skills. Vet techs can take xrays, administer medication (not anesthesia), perform dental cleanings, monitor patients during surgery and recovery, etc. You also learn a lot more from the vets in this position. Every vet I've worked with worked as a kennel assistant and/or tech in high school or during college or vet school.

Answer 5

You should be looking at a good college with a veterinary school. Without serious training, you'll be feeding, cleaning, and talking about animals for a very long time.

Answer 6

Have you approached local veterinary surgeries to see if they need any part time assistants, it would be a good place to get experience of animal welfare.

Answer 7

Is there a local animal rescue place that you could ask? Paid or voluntary.

Also, google "The Cinnamon Trust". It's voluntary, but it's all good for your CV.

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/

Maybe try the PDSA or local vets too.

http://www.pdsa.org.uk/

Answer 8

There are Zoos and Animal relief centres as well as hospitals ~~

Answer 9

contact leeds united fc, they might have some jobs going