Hi there,

I'm studying law and while I'm not sure of many things I am definitely sure I DON'T want to be a lawyer! When I was younger I wanted to be a vet but I abandoned that as I knew I'd never have the stomach to put an animal (dog or otherwise) to sleep. So anyway, I wondered if anybody works for any animal charities (paid work?) or has any suggestions as to animal orientated careers... possibly involving a law degree (eep!?!?!?). I'm quite well versed in the ways of dogs and horses. Not so experienced with cats but I'm a fast learner ;) What's the best way to get my foot in the door? I also live in Scotland so it might be that certain charities don't work on this side of the border- the Blue Cross and the RSPCA spring to mind, not sure about others.

Any help would be great!
Thank you!

Being now middle aged *cough, cough!* owning my own grooming parlour and trimming to the breed standard is the only way that I have found to work with animals and make a good living!

I hadn't really considered grooming. Interesting idea. It sounds a bit odd to ask but how do you go about learning to groom to a professional standard? Are there qualifications you need or is it better to learn on the job (if you can find somebody to take you under their wing?)

I did a bit of trawling on the net and it seems that guide dogs for the blind take on trainers from time to time. Has anybody had any connection with guide dogs? Any puppy-walkers? Or has anyone had any experience with hearing dogs?

Sorry for the barrage of questions by the way!

how about behavourist?  (dogs and horses!?)  Canine Partners look for people from time to time aswell. 

Apart from that not sure really.  I've never wanted to work with animals...they are my hobby and I just do handling/grooming for myself and friends!

Oooh as I clicked post I relised there's always a kennel maid/kennel manger where you could also e involved in general day to day care, grooming, training etc etc.  If you want to how about finding work in america?!!!

I trained at The Oxford Training School.  I'm sure that there are others who train to a comprehensive and high standard.  My experience is that a dedicated grooming school provides a far better level of training and experience than local colleges that run a grooming course, whatever qualification they give out at the end.  I have redirected a few people midway in their local college course and they cannot believe the difference...........
There is a C&G qualification but unfortunately they train you to clip Cockers, Westies etc.  That's not my sort of grooming.:(
You can buy a pair of clippers, put an advert in the paper and start tomorrow, but untrained groomers in my area don't last very long, and those who do what the owners ask and clip off everything that comes through their door are frequently complaining that they don't have enough business.
Happy researching!! :D

My OH Trevor works for WSPA ( World Society for the Protection of Animals).He is their special projects director and on the disaster relief team. He gets to work with many different types of animals on a huge range of projects all over the world - ranging from working with the Korean govermnent to shut down the dog meat markets  there, to setting up and running  sanctuaries to house the pitiful bears who are the victims of bear baiting/dancing in Turkey and Pakistan . Whilst WSPA is the biggest world wide animal charity there are other big players such as WWF, IfAW etc it would certainly be worth your while dropping a well put together CV to them. A word of warning though - they mostly do not operate in the UK and you would have to be prepared to travel anywhere around the world - he is often away for 6 months of the year anywhere from Mongolia to Tahiti They have hundreds of requests from folk who think the job is about cuddling animals all day but these big charities are really on the look out for bright, confident professionals who can work at the highest level with local governments to bring about change, and be sensitive to differences in cultures etc when dealing with locals for whom animal abuse is a traditional way of life.

The jobs at degree entry level are quite well paid - ( around £30,000) and promotion is there for those who prove themselves.

By the way I personally could not do the job - many of the situations, sights and sounds are just too horrific - but if you have the strength of charcter it is a most worthwhile and incredibly rewarding career.

Yvonne

Now THAT does sound interesting Trevor!!!!!!!!!

Hi there,

It looks like you are unhappy with your career choice at the moment and it may well be a thought to change that now before it's too late. Is it possible to transfer to another degree? I am just concerned that you are spending all this time, money and effort to come out with nothing of use and end up working for peanuts. Unfortunately, it is very, very hard to find paid work
for charities and you will find that you will need to do quite a lot of unpaid jobs before you can take a paid job. Also, the pay is very little (but the job very rewarding ofcourse).

My personal advice would be to switch degrees now before it is too late. I did a zoology degree and it was the best thing ever!!! I enjoyed every minute of it and it gives you a qualification that you can then take to any field (microbiology, conservation, animal behaviour, research, marine biology), etc, etc. All these jobs are 'relatively' well paid and extremely rewarding.

I speak from experience that there are many, many university graduates with releavant biology/zoology degrees out there wanting to work in charities, and they will be very likely to get the jobs, since they have a relevant degree.

There is a lot of competition out there, and if working with animals is what you want to do as a profession, then I highly recommend that you try and switch degrees now that you have the opportunity.

Wishing you all the very best,
Patty

P.S. To be a proper qualified behaviourist and a member of the APBC you need a relevant degree (e.g. biology, zoology or psychology). This is not the only path, but most definitely the easiest one.

Im doing the same - a law degree and i dont want to do law i want to do something IT related hehe

Sadly it is a fact of life that the well paid jobs rarely involve hands on doing of things, especially with animals. Even if you go and work for a charity it will be 90% office work and the other 10% is likley to be very distressing. Believe me I have a friend who is a barrister for a childrens charity and some of the things that she gets involved in are truly appaling.

However as a law student you have some skilss that you could possibly put to use. Ones that spring to mind include Journalist, specialising in animal issues (dont forget that this would include farming etc). Research or analysis. Im sure that there are many more where your existing skills would be helpful, you just need to think laterally and produce a convincing arguement to potential employers.