Careers With Animals
- tigercatmariah
- May 26, 2016
- 4 min read
Any animal lover who has hoped to pursue a career with animals has likely fallen into the same dilemma as I have. Unless you want to be a veterinarian or a zookeeper, it is very hard to think of careers that are offered with animals! There are actually many careers available to those who want to work with animals which many people don't consider when thinking about potential jobs.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) for example, is a nation wide government organization in Canada which focuses on the protection of the environment. One of the sections within the MNR focuses solely on research, monitoring and the protection of fish and wildlife. If you choose to follow this path, you may find yourself doing policy work on major protection acts such as the Fish and Wildlife Conservation act or the Endangered Species Act in Ontario. These acts monitor and control anything from hunting and fishing licences, habitat protection, protection of wildlife etc. These acts are extremely important for the well being and continuous functioning of wildlife and their ecosystems. The MNR also offers many opportunities for field work with wildlife. They monitor fish and wildlife in their natural environments to track how populations are doing. If there is a sudden decline or threat observed in one of these species, there is an action plan created and implemented to ensure these species thrive once again. Studies and programs are done on anything from waterfowl, mammals, endangered species, landscape ecology to diseases like rabies to ensure that species diversity, sustainability and wellbeing are maintained. MNR employees work alongside other government organizations as well as non- government organizations, universities and industries that also offer careers with animals. An example of an animal that the MNR is currently monitoring and implementing action plans for is the moose. Following significant drops in moose population numbers in Ontario, Minnesota, and Manitoba they are currently tracking moose populations using aerial inventories, moose population objectives, hunter success rates and trends in factors such as tick populations. There are other government organizations like the MNR found across countries.
The MNR isn't the only other option for animal careers. Many universities offer abundant opportunities for research with animals in and out of the field. The most important thing an animal lover who is determined to find a career can do is to ask around with people already in the field. Following a year at Dalhousie University, I have already had the opportunity to volunteer with big names in animal research such as Simon Gadbois who has done a tonne of research on canines including coyotes, wolves, foxes and of course dogs, as well as Hal Whitehead who is one of the most influential marine biologists having done an extensive amount of research with whales and other cetaceans. I personally have now been able to work with dogs, researching if they can detect diabetes as well as researching coalitions with dolphins and sperm whales. Not only are these volunteer opportunities absolutely enjoyable and rewarding but they create gateways and relationships with experienced people in the field that you're interested in. I have received two job offers directly with animals because of this and am truly grateful that I was able to come out of my comfort zone and speak with these people. Universities are filled with many of these experienced people and opportunities to find careers in animal research alongside someone else or even individually!
Another option many people don't think about are foundations such as the World Wildlife Fund that offer careers with animals. Again, the opportunities here range widely and can be suited to what you're most interested in so long as you are a hard and loyal worker. The World Wildlife Fund has an office in Washington DC where a lot of their policy work, promotional work, marketing etc. is done. They are a very large organization that takes a big team of dedicated animal lovers backing it so that they can achieve success in protecting the species and habitats that need it the most. You may have a knack for public speaking and have a job representing the World Wildlife Fund in very important meetings addressing climate change and the work that needs to be done. Of course, they also offer jobs that I personally find to be particularly interesting which are jobs working directly with the wildlife they are trying to protect across the globe.
The list of potential jobs involving animals goes on and on. You could be a kennel owner, an educator, an animal therapist, an animal or environmental lawyer, an animal control officer, a conservation officer etc. The possibilities are every where, you just need to look out for them! The best advice I can give you is to always follow your passion and don't second guess it. If you do this you will eventually find yourself in a place you want to be.
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