Overview

Do you love taking care of your cat or dog? Do you like to raise fish, snakes, hamsters or rats? Then you may enjoy a career working with animals! While the pay in this area is not always as high as others with similar education requirements, knowing you are helping our furry, scaled or feathered friends can be tremendously satisfying. 

On this page you can learn more about how to make a living working with animals as well as information on specific careers and where you can obtain training or educational experience. 
TOP RIASEC Categories: Realistic, Investigative
CTE Industry Sector: Agriculture and Natural Resources

Intro Video

NEW: Career Ideas based on RIASEC Score

  • ​​Realistic: Veterinary Technician, Zookeeper, Animal Trainer, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Farrier
  • Investigative: Animal Behaviorist, Wildlife Biologist, Zoologist, Marine Biologist, Animal Nutritionist
  • Artistic: Wildlife Photographer, Pet Portrait Artist, Animal Illustrator, Animal-Themed Jewelry Designer, Animal-Focused Interior Designer
  • Social: Animal-Assisted Therapist, Humane Educator, Pet Adoption Counselor, Veterinary Social Worker, Animal Rights Advocate
  • Enterprising: Pet Business Owner, Animal Shelter Director, Veterinary Practice Manager, Pet Product Developer, Animal-Focused Non-Profit Founder
  • Conventional: Animal Shelter Manager, Veterinary Receptionist, Animal Licensing Officer, Pet Insurance Claims Adjuster, Animal Breeding Record Keeper

Career and Occupation Information

​High School Diploma
​Career Training Program ​
Associate Degree (Community College)
​Bachelor's Degree
​Advanced Degree
More Careers to Explore​

Get Experience Now!

You can get experience in this field in the following ways:
  • Take animal-related CTE courses at your local high school in the Agriculture and Natural Resources industry sector.
  • Volunteer for a local wildlife rehabilitation center such as Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation, Barry R Kirshner Wildlife Foundation, the Butte Humane Society or the Chico Animal Shelter
  • Raise animals yourself! Learn how to take care of animals such as fish, snakes, hamsters or even cats and dogs. 
  • Get a part-time job at a veterinarian's office or other animal-related business.
  • Learn as much as you can from books, videos and the Internet on taking care of animals. 
  • Reach out to a business, organization or person in the career area you are interested in and ask for information on what the job is really like and what type of education or experience is recommended. 

Career Videos

Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Technician / Technologist
Veterinarian
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists