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Jobs working with animals

AuthorDarcy Nathan, editor
Posted on
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Whether you're drawn to hands‑on animal care, making a difference through conservation, or progressing into specialist roles such as veterinary surgery, working with animals offers a range of rewarding career paths

In the UK, around 60% of households - more than 17 million homes - own a pet, which continues to drive the need for veterinary services and animal welfare roles.

What roles are available?

Public sector roles

Some opportunities sit within government and public services. Organisations such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) recruit staff to protect animal and plant health in the UK, including roles linked to quarantine and the safe transport of animals entering or leaving the country. Vacancies are listed on Working for Animal and Plant Health Agency - GOV.UK.

Another option is the British Army, where veterinary technicians and dog handlers support animal welfare as part of military operations. Entry involves applying through the Army's recruitment website, completing initial military training, and progressing to specialist training at the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray, which can include:

  • military dog handling
  • veterinary nursing
  • veterinary equipment management.

Explore our guide to careers in the public sector.

Animal charity positions

If animal welfare is your main motivation, charities offer a range of roles with clear progression routes.

At Blue Cross, roles include:

  • providing treatment as a veterinary nurse or clinical care veterinarian
  • supporting fundraising and operations in office‑based roles
  • working as an animal welfare assistant.

At the RSPCA, it's possible to progress from animal collection officer to animal welfare officer, and with experience and training, to RSPCA inspector, rescuing and protecting animals across a region.

Large conservation charities also recruit regularly. For example, The Wildlife Trusts employ conservation officers and countryside assistants, while organisations such as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) offer roles beyond fieldwork, including:

  • communications
  • data and IT
  • project management.

This range of options means you can build a career that suits your interests - whether you prefer:

  • office‑based roles
  • outdoor work
  • a mix of both.

For these opportunities, check charity careers pages regularly and consider setting up job alerts. Discover our tips on getting a charity job.

Private sector roles

A range of animal‑related careers sit within businesses and organisations outside the public and charity sectors.

Opportunities are available with employers such as:

  • breeding or training organisations
  • farms and agricultural companies
  • pet care businesses like grooming salons, kennels and pet retailers
  • pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms
  • veterinary practices and hospital groups.

Working in these settings can offer several advantages. Many roles provide structured training and opportunities to specialise or work with modern equipment and techniques.

In some cases, salaries may be higher than in charity or public sector roles.

However, competition can be strong, particularly in busy practices or customer‑facing environments, and some jobs may involve:

  • commercial pressures
  • long hours
  • shift work.

Self-employment

Working for yourself is common in hands‑on animal services, particularly where roles involve direct contact with pet owners.

While self‑employment offers flexibility and independence, it also requires:

  • appropriate insurance
  • good organisation
  • the ability to build a reliable client base.

Common self‑employed roles include:

  • animal transport provider
  • dog trainer or behaviourist
  • dog walker
  • freelance equine worker
  • mobile pet groomer
  • pet sitter or home boarder.

These roles often rely more on experience and reputation than formal qualifications, although relevant training and certifications can help build trust with clients.

Discover whether self-employment is right for you.

What qualifications do I need to work with animals?

The qualifications needed to work with animals depend on the role you're aiming for. The sector is flexible, and many people progress through different routes as they gain experience - moving from entry‑level training into more specialist or professional roles over time.

Getting started in animal care

For early roles such as animal care assistant or stable hand, employers usually prioritise practical skills over academic achievement. That said, GCSEs in English and maths (grades 9 to 4 / A to C) are commonly required.

Useful qualifications at this stage include the Level 1 Animal Care Certificate, offered by many further education colleges such as:

You could also consider a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Animal Care, such as:

Short courses or microcredentials can also strengthen applications, particularly for hands‑on roles. Pet first aid training, for example, is widely recognised and offered by organisations such as The Dog First Aid Co. and Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home.

Training for professional animal care roles

To move into roles with more responsibility - including zookeeper or animal nutritionist - many people complete Level 3 qualifications or foundation degrees.

To practise as a veterinary nurse in the UK, you must complete a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)‑accredited qualification. This could be:

These courses combine academic study with clinical placements and typically prepare you to:

  • assist in surgical procedures
  • administer medication
  • carry out animal care techniques
  • perform diagnostic testing and laboratory work.

Other common qualifications at this level include:

Advanced and postgraduate pathways

Careers in specialist areas - such as marine biology or animal behaviour - usually require degree‑level study, and sometimes postgraduate qualifications or professional registration.

To become a veterinary surgeon, you must complete an RCVS‑accredited degree, such as:

  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed)
  • The Professional Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

After qualifying, vets can specialise further through:

Research‑focused careers often follow a similar route. Zoologists and animal researchers, for example, may complete a PhD in zoology, ecology or animal science, allowing them to carry out advanced research on animal populations or ecosystems. These roles are commonly found in organisations such as Natural England or the British Trust for Ornithology.

Search for postgraduate courses in animal care.

Can I do an apprenticeship?

For many people, apprenticeships are a popular way into animal care because they combine paid work with training, allowing you to gain recognised qualifications while building experience in a real working environment.

The RSPCA offers apprenticeships from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) up to Level 7 (postgraduate Masters level). These pathways allow progression from entry‑level animal care roles to higher‑level qualifications and include both practical work in:

  • office‑based roles
  • RSPCA centres.

Find out more via RSPCA - Apprenticeships.

For those interested in the commercial side of animal care, Pets at Home offers apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 7 in areas such as:

  • customer service
  • finance
  • human resources
  • marketing
  • supply chain and warehousing.

They also run a 13‑month dog grooming apprenticeship through their Groom Room salons.

If you're looking for a more specialist route, the Army Medical Service offers Level 2 and Level 3 dog handler apprenticeships, combining animal care with military training and operational support.

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) also runs zoo keeper and aquarist apprenticeships. These two‑year programmes involve tasks such as:

  • cleaning and maintaining enclosures
  • preparing food for animals at London or Whipsnade Zoos
  • supporting animal husbandry and daily care

To explore further options, learn more about apprenticeships.

Where can I find a job?

A good starting point is to check the careers pages of organisations you're interested in, as many employers advertise vacancies directly. You can also use specialist job boards focused on animal‑related work, including:

Veterinary careers are often more varied than people expect. As Dr Alex Crow, chief veterinary officer at The Net Vet explains, 'you don’t have to be a traditional vet. You can explore research, teaching or telemedicine (online vet) - there are plenty of ways to grow as a vet.'

See our advice on getting a job.

What skills do I need to work with animals?

Many animal care roles prioritise passion, commitment and a willingness to learn over formal qualifications.

As Dr Alex Crow explains, 'empathy and compassion, problem solving and the ability to work well under pressure are all essential for a vet. There's a lot of responsibility involved, so you also need to be prepared to take a leadership role and make tough decisions on the spot'.

Skills valued across most animal care jobs include:

  • attention to detail - spotting subtle changes in behaviour or health
  • communication - working with colleagues, owners and the public
  • emotional resilience - caring for sick or injured animals can be challenging
  • patience - animals can be unpredictable
  • stamina - many roles involve physical work and long periods on your feet.

Discover what skills employers want.

How can I get work experience with animals?

Hands‑on experience is essential when working with animals, as employers often value practical skills as highly as qualifications. The best route will depend on your interests and where you are in your studies.

Explore our tips on securing work experience.

Internships

Structured internships are a strong option if you're interested in conservation, wildlife or clinical settings. Programmes such as the Conservation Careers Wildlife Conservation Internships allow participants to take part in activities like species surveys and habitat restoration.

These opportunities focus on delivering real conservation outcomes and often include added support, such as:

  • project funding
  • professional mentoring
  • skills‑focused workshops.

Together, this helps build technical ability and insight into how conservation organisations operate.

Other examples include internships with:

Discover our guide to internships.

Volunteering

Giving your time is one of the most accessible ways to build experience and show commitment. As Dr Alex Crow explains, 'volunteering shows that you have empathy and are willing to sacrifice your free time for the good of animals'.

Many charities welcome volunteers year‑round, with opportunities advertised on their websites. For example, if you're aged 16 or over, the National Animal Welfare Trust offers placements at rehoming centres.

Short opportunities - such as two‑week placements - can involve caring for cats, dogs and other small animals, making them particularly useful for those considering veterinary medicine or animal care.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) also supports students through one‑year placements and sandwich programmes, working alongside professionals studying insects, mammals and birds. It also offers research opportunities for Masters students at selected universities.

To explore further options, see volunteering with animals, or search for work experience in animal care and conservation.

Graduate schemes

If you've completed a degree, structured graduate schemes can help bridge the gap into professional roles. These are most common in veterinary practice and conservation.

Aspiring vets can apply to programmes run by organisations such as VetPartners or Animal Trust Vets, which focus on developing clinical skills through hands‑on work in veterinary surgeries. Participants receive mentoring and structured continuing professional development (CPD).

Salaries vary by employer and location. For example, the PDSA Graduate Veterinary Surgeon Programme offers starting salaries of around £31,000 to £35,000, including a travel allowance.

Graduates interested in marine conservation may consider the Blue Marine Foundation graduate scheme, which includes four rotational placements over two years. These focus on supporting sustainable fishing and marine conservation through work in areas such as:

  • education
  • media
  • policy and fundraising.

To see what's currently available, search for animal care graduate schemes.

What are the working conditions like in animal care jobs?

Working with animals can be highly rewarding, but it also comes with physical and emotional challenges.

Many roles involve shift work, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays. This is particularly common in settings such as:

  • kennels
  • farms
  • rescue centres
  • veterinary practices.

Some jobs are outdoor‑based, including farm work and conservation roles, which means working in all weather conditions. Others are physically demanding, involving tasks such as:

  • cleaning enclosures
  • lifting animals
  • spending long periods on your feet.

There can also be a risk of minor injury when handling animals.

The work can be emotionally challenging too. As Dr Alex Crow explains, 'realising that you can't always fix every animal can be hard to come to terms with. But when you solve a complex case and help a pet get better, it's incredibly rewarding'.

Despite the challenges, many people find animal care careers deeply fulfilling, especially when they see animals recover, improve their wellbeing or move on to safe, permanent homes.

For more detailed information, see our environment and agriculture job profiles.

How much can I earn working with animals?

Salaries in animal care vary by:

  • experience
  • location
  • role
  • the type of employer.

Private veterinary practices and research organisations generally pay more than charities and animal shelters.

Entry‑level roles, such as kennel assistants or pet shop workers, typically pay in the low £20,000s per year, which is around the National Living Wage for full‑time work. With experience or in higher‑cost areas, pay may rise into the mid‑£20,000s, although £25,000 is usually the upper limit for beginner roles in most of the UK.

At the top end of the sector, veterinary surgeons earn the highest salaries:

  • Starting pay is usually around £34,000.
  • This can rise to £50,000 to £70,000 in senior or specialist positions.

Veterinary nurses typically earn between £23,000 and £35,000, depending on experience and specialism.

Senior or advanced roles - such as head nurses or lecturers - can earn up to £40,000, with many qualified nurses reaching the mid‑£20,000s to low £30,000s after a few years.

Find out more

Written by Darcy Nathan, editor

Prospects · April 2026