Careers in Pet Care

Typical Job: Trainer, Pet Grooming Service, Pet Sitter, Pet Transporter, Pet Walker, Veterinarian, Fish Tank Cleaner, Bird Cage Cleaner

Typical Work
Those in the pet care industry are responsible for cleaning, cutting, grooming, training, transporting, and sheltering animals. The people in the industry typically operate a personal business in one of these fields (or a combination of the fields) that provides these pet care services for pet owners. In many cases, pet animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards) will be taken to a pet grooming business so that they can be cleaned, cut and pampered. Many of the pet care groomers also offer kennel services so that a pet can be left with them while a pet owner is on vacation. Trainers are responsible for teaching a pet various discipline 'tricks' such as house training. Trainers are most often employed by dog owners, even though there are horse trainers and other more exotic animal trainers employed by the industry. Those in the pet care industry own their own business, work for another persons company or work for a non-profit animal shelter. They will work for individual clients who will bring their pets to their work or business.

Education and Training
Pet care employees often have diplomas or degrees from technical or career schools in the fields of animal care or grooming. There are also many schools that are now dedicated to the fields of animal training or pet grooming; you can attend such a school for the necessary training. Typically those in the industry do not obtain post secondary education. Some employers will provide training to employees when they obtain employment. The industry is growing quite rapidly and there is a demand for trained groomers and trainers so the opportunities are greater for those who have the necessary education.

Skills and Interests
You will need to have a love for animals in order to work in this field. Many people who have an interest in grooming and hairstyle also enter the industry. Those in the pet care industry need to be able to command respect from an animal, especially trainers.

Salary Range
The range is quite large but the average salary for pet care employees is fairly low. The starting salary is fairly low, and many in the fields of pet care and grooming do not earn a great salary unless they own the business

The range covers all the various work fields
$ 17, 000 (typically non-profit organization employees, or those starting at a grooming salon) - $ 40, 000 (Trainers, some trainers can earn a great deal more than this, especially for equestrian schools and for racing horses).

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