Hey there animal lover! Do any of the following sound familiar?…
đą You find yourself endlessly scrolling through cute cat videos before bed
đ You stop to pat every single dog you pass on the street.
â¤ď¸ Animal rights issues keep you up at night & you have a desire to make a difference
⨠You crave a flexible career where you can turn your pet passion into a profession
If youâre nodding along to any or all of the above, chances are, a career in animal care could be the perfect fit for you! Hereâs everything you need to know about this growing industryâŚ
Animal care is a growing industry with many full-time, part-time and self-employed career opportunities.
Working with animals is often seen as a âdream jobâ.
And weâre not surprised! Whatever animal-related career you choose to pursue, there are many reasons why this type of work can be extremely rewarding and lead to great career satisfaction.
While there are many opportunities to explore, setting up your own animal care business is a popular choice for those looking for flexibility and freedom.
The following are some popular self-employment opportunities with minimal start-up costs and maximum job satisfaction:
While a passion for animals is, of course, necessary, those most successful in the animal care industry typically demonstrate the following key skills and traits:
While a college degree isnât always required to work in the animal care industry, a qualification can equip you with vital skills, set you apart from the competition and open many doors career-wise.
Finding the right course that supports your specific animal care career goals is vital. To make your search that bit easier, weâve compiled a list of some fantastic course options in Ireland to consider:
Dun Laoghaire: Animal Care/Animal Care Assistant This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and the skills to work in a variety of areas within the Animal Healthcare sector. Students will study core areas of Animal Healthcare and are enabled to put theory into practice through experiential learning in a fully equipped Animal Healthcare Suite.
Dunboyne College of Further Education: Animal Care and Grooming This one-year course is designed to give students an introduction to the world of animal care and grooming. Designed to provide a combination of practical and theoretical tuition in all aspects of the animal care industry. It provides a hands-on, skills-based course which equips students with a fundamental knowledge of the animal care industry.
Kerry College of Further Education & Training: Animal Care This course provides learners with fascinating insights into the health care, grooming, welfare needs and behaviour of a wide variety of small animals.
Killester College of Further Education: Animal Science Level 5 Students will have a mixture of classroom-based subjects, laboratory practical’s, mandatory work placement (including a work shop in Dublin Zoo) and independent study. You will be expected to complete assignments throughout the year.
Waterford College of Further Education: Animal Care QQI Level 5 A one year course of specific interest to applicants wishing to pursue a career in the Dog Grooming/Animal Care industry. Applicants will study a range of subjects relating to animal care and grooming. Emphasis will be placed on the skills and practices required to pursue a career in animal care and allow for progression to both Veterinary Nursing and Science at Third Level.