Does your child want to work with animals?

Is your child passionate about animals and eager to pursue a career involving their care and wellbeing?

It’s natural to want to support your child’s aspirations, especially when they have a clear interest in something as rewarding as working with animals. After completing relevant training and work experience, there are numerous pathways they can take to turn their passion into a fulfilling career.

Here’s some more information to help you navigate the training options and roles available:

Career Options Working with Animals

With the right qualifications and experience, there are numerous career paths open to those who want to work with animals:

Does your child want to work with animals, but not sure what role they would like to work in?

If you’d like to learn more about the job roles available in the animal care and veterinary industries, you can explore our career profiles on our website, or join us for our next virtual Careers With Animals Day, where a range of organisations and industry professionals gather to deliver presentations on animal careers and answer questions.

Training options for careers working with animals

1. A-Levels and University

For those who have a specific academic career goal in mind, or are eager to experience the university life, pursuing A-Levels followed by a degree is a traditional and effective route to a career working with animals. Animal degree pathways include:

Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Nursing
Animal Science
Animal Behaviour
…and more

2. Vocational qualifications and apprenticeships

Vocational qualifications offer hands-on experience and are ideal for those who prefer practical learning, providing a strong foundation for those who wish to work with animals in businesses such as kennels and catteries, veterinary practices, animal day care centres, animal shelters and charities, stables and many more.

These qualifications often lead directly to employment or further specialised training.

City & Guilds Qualifications: These courses offer practical skills and knowledge in animal care. For example, at The College of Animal Welfare we offer City & Guilds qualifications in work-based animal care, dog grooming and horse care, as well as an extended diploma in animal management which provides a strong foundation for higher study.
Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships combine working with studying a recognised apprenticeship programme to gain skills and knowledge. Your child could consider apprenticeships in roles such as veterinary nursing, animal care horse care or dog grooming. However, please be aware you need to source an apprenticeship position before beginning an apprenticeship. You can sign up to receive our apprenticeship alerts, or look for apprenticeship vacancies on our jobs board. Find out more about animal apprenticeships and apprenticeships available at CAW

3. Volunteer work and work experience placements

Gaining practical experience is invaluable for those aspiring to work with animals. Volunteering and work experience placements can provide hands-on experience and enhance their CV, as well as help meet the entry requirements for training programmes and get a foot in the door at a workplace who may offer paid opportunities in the future. Volunteering is also a great way of learning about different animal care roles if your child is not sure what path they wish to take.

Depending on what animals they’re interested in working with, you could look for volunteer work and work experience placements at veterinary practices, animal shelters, kennels, catteries, wildlife trusts, zoos, aquariums, farms and stables.

Next steps…

Supporting your child’s ambition to work with animals involves understanding the various educational pathways and career options available. Whether through traditional academic routes, vocational training, or hands-on experience, there are numerous ways to turn a passion for animals into a rewarding career. Encourage your child to explore different options, gain practical experience, and follow their passion with dedication and enthusiasm. With the right support and guidance, they can find a fulfilling career working with the animals they love.

If you would like to chat through training options and explore the different education pathways available, please don’t hesitate to contact our Client Advisor team by calling 01480 422060, emailing admin@caw.ac.uk, starting a live chat on our website or requesting a call back.