A career involved in animal rescue can be very difficult but just as rewarding.
Most individuals who dream of a career in the field of animal rescue begin volunteering at an early age, either at an animal shelter or a local veterinary clinic. Completing volunteer chores, like walking and feeding shelter animals, cleaning cages and helping to process animal intake and adoption proceedings, provides valuable experience that can lead to full-time animal rescue work.
Animal Control Officer
In addition to stereotypical "dog catcher" duties, which include capturing and removing animals from poor conditions, animal control officers perform animal-related home-based inspections, investigate reports of animal cruelty, and help euthanize sick animals, among other duties, according to the Career Planner website.The job also sometimes falls under the moniker of humane animal investigator. Animal shelters are never empty, so a career as an animal control officer offers a good level of job security, according to the Job Monkey website.
Administration
Administration jobs within animal rescue organizations run the gamut from shelter director to general office clerk, in charge of answering phones and directing calls. Other available administration jobs might include adoption counseling, community relations and fund-raising director. Typically a bachelor's degree is sufficient for a position in administration, but it depends on the requirements of the particular employer and the state in which the business is located. A high-school diploma and other animal-related and law enforcement-related experience is typically all that is required, and on-the-job training is usually always provided.
Animal Care Technician
Working directly with the animals, an animal care technician is responsible for the overall well-being of an animal that is brought into a rescue organization. From cleaning and feeding to grooming and exercising, these technicians prepare the animal for future adoption and often work in conjunction with the rescue's veterinarian and behavioral specialists, if applicable, to improve the health of the animal and its chances for a future adoption.
Behavioralist
Animal rescue organizations rely on animal behaviorist specialists to aid in the development of abandoned animals, particularly dogs. They spend their time working with the animal in training and behavior enhancement activities to improve human-canine interactivity and bonding. These individuals must be skilled communicators, as they interact daily with the rest of the rescue staff in determining the best options for each animal. A Bachelor's degree in science is usually required for this title, as is prior dog training experience.
Tags: animal rescue, future adoption