Progression Opportunities

Progression Opportunities

Work Opportunities:

  • Vet nursing: With experience in animal care, you could progress to become a veterinary nurse. This role involves supporting vets during treatment and operations of animals.
  • Animal welfare officer: Use your skills and knowledge to contribute to the better treatment and care of animals at the local, national, and even international level.
  • Dog trainer: Leverage your understanding of animal behaviour to offer training services to dog owners, helping them forge strong, proper relationships with their pets.

Further Education:

  • Animal Behaviour and Welfare Degree: This will deepen your understanding of the psychology and well-being of animals, opening doors for research roles or welfare consultation.
  • Veterinary Medicine: Although demanding, progression onto studying medicine will prepare you for a rewarding career as a vet.
  • Animal Physiotherapy Certificate: This is a niche area where work experience in animal care can be a significant advantage.

Specialisations:

  • Farm Animal Care: If you’re interested in farming, consider specialising in farm animals. This might involve working on a livestock farm, dairy farm, or even a horse stud.
  • Wild Animal Rehabilitation: Wildlife rehab centres are often looking for individuals with a background in animal care. This could involve both local and foreign species.
  • Zookeeping: Many people dream of working in a zoo. Experience in the broader animal sector is often a prerequisite for these roles.

Businesses:

  • Pet Sitting: Many people prefer to have their pets cared at home when they’re away. Turning pet sitting into a business would offer flexibility and potentially lucrative prospects.
  • Animal Grooming: With an appropriate qualification, you could set up a business offering grooming services.
  • Animal Breeding: If you’re interested in genetics and breeding, setting up a breeding business can be an interesting opportunity.

Career development programmes:

  • Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors: This certification is particularly useful for those considering becoming a dog trainer.
  • Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Advanced Practitioner Status: Pursue this if you’re considering a career as a veterinary nurse to significantly improve your job prospects.
  • British Horse Society (BHS) Career Pathways: If you’re interested in a career with horses, these pathways offer many progression opportunities.