Jobs working with animals

Whether you're looking to do hands-on animal care, make an impact in conservation, or advance into a specialist field like veterinary surgery, this guide breaks down your career options to help you find the right path

What jobs are on offer?

Entry-level roles

Jobs in animal care often prioritise passion and willingness to learn over formal qualifications. These roles provide invaluable hands-on experience and can serve as a launchpad for specialised careers.

A common entry-level job is animal care assistant in a shelter or kennel, where duties involve:

• basic animal handling
• cleaning
• feeding.

Pet shop assistant is another entry-level position to consider, focusing on wellbeing in a retail setting.

Other roles that require minimal qualifications include:

• animal technician
• dog walker/pet sitter
• farm worker
• stable hand
• wildlife rescue volunteer.

Intermediate-level roles

Many animal care positions demand a blend of hands-on experience and specialised knowledge gained through undergraduate studies. For instance, a veterinary nurse typically completes a Bachelors degree, which equips them to:

• assist in surgical procedures
• administer medication
• perform diagnostic tests.

Furthermore, experienced animal handlers in zoos or wildlife rehabilitation centres hold significant responsibilities, including developing enrichment programmes and managing complex animal behaviours.

Their deep understanding of animal health and welfare is developed through practical experience and on-the-job learning.

Intermediate job roles in this field include:

• animal control officer
• animal nutritionist
• equine groom
• farm manager
• fish farm manager
• pet groomer
• zookeeper.

Specialist roles

Those in specialist roles often have postgraduate qualifications giving them the advanced knowledge they require For example, veterinary surgeons often complete a Masters degree to specialise in areas like cardiology or oncology, becoming certified by a professional board.

Similarly, a zoologist might undertake a PhD to conduct complex research on endangered species. These advanced degrees provide the in-depth knowledge and research skills necessary to address the challenges facing animal populations and individual species.

Specialist animal care roles include:

• animal behaviourist
• animal physiotherapists
• conservation officer
• ecologist
• marine biologist
• wildlife photographer/filmmaker.

To find out what roles are currently on offer, search all animal and plant resources jobs.

What skills do I need to work with animals?

The technical skills you'll need will depend on your role, but to be a vet 'empathy and compassion, problem solving and the ability to work well under pressure are all essential. There's a lot of responsibility involved, so you also need to be prepared to take a leadership role and make tough decisions on the spot,' Dr Alex Crow, chief veterinary officer at The Net Vet explains.

Skills essential for all animal care roles include:

• attention to detail - observing subtle changes in an animal's behaviour or health is vital
• communication - relaying information to pet owners, colleagues, and the public
• emotional resilience - care often involves sick or injured animals.
• patience - animals can be unpredictable, so you'll need the ability to remain calm
• stamina - involving handling animals, as well as being on your feet for extended periods.

'Realising that you can't always fix every animal can be hard to come to terms with. But when you solve a complex case and help a pet get better, it's incredibly rewarding' adds Dr Crow.

Where can I find animal care jobs?

Many animal care organisations directly advertise job openings on their websites. You can also explore specialised job boards like Animal Jobs Direct for more opportunities.

Other websites that feature animal care roles include:

• Indeed - Animal care
• SynergyVets
• Vettimes jobs

For positions within the government, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), responsible for safeguarding animal and plant health, lists its vacancies at Working for Animal and Plant Health Agency - GOV.UK. One role they offer involves overseeing pets in quarantine as they travel to and from the UK. Additionally, airport quarantine facilities often require dedicated staff to facilitate the safe transport of animals across borders.

If you're looking for more diverse experiences, consider working with animals in the British Army. These roles focus on ensuring animal wellbeing and supporting military operations. To become an Army Medical Service veterinary technician, you'll need to apply through their website. Successful applicants will undergo 14 weeks of military training at Winchester or Pirbright to become soldiers. Following this, you'll progress to the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray for specialised training in:

• military dog handling
• veterinary nursing
• veterinary equipment management.

Don't forget the alternative paths in veterinary science. As Dr Crow points out, 'you don't have to be a traditional vet. You can explore research, teaching, telemedicine (online vet) - there are plenty of ways to grow as a vet.'

Search graduate jobs working with animals.

How can I work for an animal charity?

For those passionate about animal welfare, career opportunities exist with charities like Blue Cross and the RSPCA. Many of these organisations directly advertise job openings on their websites, making it easy to explore potential paths.

At Blue Cross, for instance, you could:

• contribute to animal health as a clinical care veterinarian or veterinary nurse, providing essential medical treatment.
• join the rehoming team as an animal welfare assistant, directly impacting animals' lives by helping them find permanent homes.
• support vital fundraising efforts as a database services officer.

Similar opportunities exist at the RSPCA, where you can progress through roles within their animal or wildlife centres. Starting as an animal collection officer, you could advance to an animal welfare officer and, with experience and dedication, ultimately become an RSPCA inspector, actively rescuing and protecting animals in need across the region.

To find these roles, regularly check the 'careers' or 'jobs' sections of the charity websites and consider setting up job alerts for relevant keywords.

Discover our tips on getting a charity job.

What animal care apprenticeships are available?

Animal care apprenticeship opportunities span from foundational experiences in local veterinary practices and animal shelters to specialised roles in zoos and wildlife parks.

For example, the RSPCA offers an apprenticeship programme, ranging from GCSE equivalent Level 2 to university degree equivalent Level 6. This programme allows for both direct animal care within their centers and valuable experience in office-based support roles. You can find more information at RSPCA - Apprenticeships.

For those looking to work in the commercial side of animal care, Pets At Home provide apprenticeships at Levels 2 to 7 in various support office and distribution operations, including:

customer service

• finance
• human resources
• marketing
• supply chain
• warehousing.

They also offer a 13-month dog grooming apprenticeship within their Groom Room.

The Army Medical Service offer Level 2 or 3 apprenticeships as a dog handler, catering to those seeking a challenging and specialised career path.

Finally, the Zoological Society of London offers zoo keeper and aquarist apprenticeships. Each apprenticeship lasts two years and includes tasks such as:

• assisting with preparing meals for animals at London or Whipsnade Zoos
• cleaning and maintaining exhibits
• helping with animal husbandry.

 Learn more about apprenticeships.

Can I do a graduate scheme?

If you're an aspiring vet, you might consider graduate schemes offered by organisations like VetPartners or Animal Trust Vets. These schemes focus on building essential clinical skills through direct involvement in veterinary surgeries, all under the guidance of experienced mentors. You'll also get structured continuing professional development (CPD) and support to complete your qualifications.

Salary expectations differ, but for example, the PDSA offers a graduate veterinary surgeon programme with salaries around £31,000 to £35,000 annually, which includes a travel allowance.

For those passionate about marine life, the Blue Marine Foundation graduate scheme offers four rotational placements over two years, giving you experience in education, media, policy, and fundraising to support sustainable fishing and marine conservation.

Search for animal care graduate schemes.

How do I start a wildlife conservation career?

The UK faces a critical wildlife conservation crisis, with one in six species at risk of extinction. This alarming situation, marked by a nearly one-third decline in wildlife abundance since 1970, calls for immediate action and increased funding for nature recovery. With the UK government's commitment to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in conservation.

Building a solid foundation for a conservation career often starts with relevant academic qualifications, such as degrees in:

• animal management
• ecology
• environmental science.

If you're an aspiring conservationist eager to gain hands-on experience, the Conservation Careers Wildlife Conservation Internship allows you to take the lead conducting vital species surveys and restoring degraded habitats, all aimed at achieving tangible conservation outcomes for UK wildlife. Beyond practical experience, the programme provides:

• a grant of up to £5,000 to support your project
• mentorship from seasoned professionals
• workshops to hone essential skills.

The Wildlife Trusts, a leading conservation organisation in the UK, also offer roles including:

• conservation officers - conduct detailed habitat assessments, advocate for policy changes, and collaborate with local authorities to mitigate threats to wildlife.
• countryside assistants - often parttime, they lead guided walks, manage visitor centers, and carry out practical habitat management tasks.

Beyond traditional fieldwork, organisations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) offer roles in:

• IT - supporting data analysis and conservation technology.
• public relations - crafting campaigns to raise awareness.
• project management - overseeing the planning and execution of large-scale conservation initiatives.

How do I volunteer to gain work experience?

'Volunteering shows that you have empathy and are willing to sacrifice your free time for the good of animals,' explains Dr Crow.

Many animal charities welcome volunteers all year round. Start by exploring the websites of organisations you care about to see what volunteer opportunities they offer.

For example, if you're 16 or over, the National Animal Welfare Trust offers volunteer placements at their rehoming centres. A two-week placement could involve working with cats, dogs, and other small animals, giving you valuable experience for a future career in veterinary medicine.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) also welcomes students. You can participate in a one-year placement or sandwich programme, working alongside them to study insects, mammals, and birds. They typically take on around 14 students each year, and the GWCT also hosts research projects for Masters students from select universities.

To read more about what's available, see volunteering with animals.

Search for work experience in animal care and conservation.

How much can I earn working with animals?

Earnings within the animal care sector vary based on:

• the specific role
• level of experience
• location.

The type of employer also impacts pay scales, with private veterinary clinics and research institutions paying more than animal shelters and charities.

Veterinary surgeons, earning the highest salaries, can expect to earn £32,000 to over £70,000, with the potential for growth based on experience and specialisation.

Alternatively, veterinary nurses typically fall within the £23,000 to £35,000 salary range, while animal care assistants may begin around £20,000, with increases based on experience. Animal technicians see starter salaries around £17,000, with experienced technicians earning around £23,000. Entry-level animal care roles average about £25,000.

See our environment and agriculture job profiles for more details on salaries in the sector.

Find out more

• See what else the environment and agriculture sector has to offer.
• Explore graduate opportunities in agriculture.