Being an animal rescuer is a great occupation for many people that love to be in contact with nature. The career of an animal rescuer can be very rewarding. This work is not just fulfilling but it also offers multiple exciting opportunities. As a professional in this field, you can find yourself in different environments, depending on your duties.
What Degree Is Needed to Be an Animal Rescuer?
What is an animal rescuer?
Basically, animal rescuers help free animals from dangerous conditions and find them new homes. They can be part of a local animal care or social service that takes care of animals in unhealthy living conditions.
Where do those professionals work?
There are many options available depending on the location and kind of animals. For example, they might work in shelters. In this case, they rehabilitate and place domesticated animals in their new home. Or they might work in animal sanctuaries that care for wild animals.
Some of the most common job titles of animal rescuers are shelter attendant, pet adoption specialist, veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator, animal behavior counselor, veterinary technician and animal control officer.
What are animal rescuer job duties?
The range of animal rescuer responsibilities can be really wide. Naturally, their specific duties vary depending on the workplace.
However, there might be some similar responsibilities like:
- Caring for abandoned pets
- Finding people to adopt shelter animals
- Conducting training to improve animal’s behavior after being rescued
- Keeping adoption records.
Animal rescuers also may clean animal care facilities, socialize animals with each other through special playtime, identify unsafe environments, organize medical care for hurt or sick animals, rescue escaped animals and bring dangerous animals to the appropriate places and manage inventory.
Becoming an animal rescuer
So how do you become an animal rescuer? First of all, as with any other occupation, you must earn a high school diploma (or equivalent). This is the very first step that must be completed to start a career in any field. (Many high school students decide to volunteer at animal shelters to gain some valuable experience). When I did this I found it quite challenging, especially when I had a lot of homework. So I asked experts to write my assignment for me when I needed to combine studies and volunteering. Luckily, there are a lot of special online writing services that provide students with academic help in a number of school disciplines, so you can always relieve the burden on your shoulders.
The next step in your education would be to consider a bachelor program as it can significantly benefit your professional path. The truth is that many animal rescue jobs don’t require you to have a higher education. But if you are interested in management positions, then it would often be required. If you want to work in the field of veterinary medicine or enter an international organization you’ll be asked for at least a bachelor’s degree in animal care.
What areas do you have to study for your animal rescuer career? You could opt to major in Zoology, Animal behavior, Environmental science, Biology, Wildlife, Veterinary science, Marine biology and Exotic animal management. As you see, there is a wide range of options for your studies, so pick something that meets your needs and interests.
Once you finish your college education, you can consider taking some training courses. Normally, many jobs for animal rescuers train their candidates for a position. But of course, there are some independent courses that you can take to expand your outlook and deepen your knowledge. If you live in the Ireland, you can turn to a volunteering organization like the DSPCA.
In general, one of the most important things for any animal rescuer is being good with animals. This skill includes different abilities, like being able to recognize changes in behavior and knowing how to handle an animal. Rescuers must also have strong communication skills to talk to their colleagues and potential adoptive families.
Author’s BIO: Helen Birk is an academic expert and study coach. She helps young people get enrolled in a college of their dreams and achieve great success there. In her free time, Helen usually volunteers at animal shelters as she is a big animal lover.
If you have questions for Helen about being an animal rescuer then let us know in the comments.
