This article was originally printed in Dogs Monthly. Copyright has been released but an acknowledgement is requested if any significant sections are reproduced. If you would like the text as an e-mail or attached Word file please request 'Wkg AC Ind' from mail@davidcavill.co.uk. The Animal Care College provides individual careers advice for both students and Associates of the College on an individual basis.You can contact the Studies Coordinator direct at mail@davidcavill.co.uk are telephone the College to make an appointment for a mutually suitable time for a telephone conversation.However, much useful information is contained in this article, Working in the Animal Care Industry and it is suggested that this is read first for it will answer many questions and provides many valuable contact details of employers who may also be the source of helpful information
WORKING IN THE ANIMAL CARE INDUSTRY
David Cavill
The special relationship that exists between domestic pet animals and people means that there are many opportunities to be employed in a variety of different jobs. Most of these are primarily to do with dogs including working dogs, racing dogs or domestic pets, although most people in the industry will work with cats as well and some, in pet shops and veterinary surgeries for instance, will work will a much wider range species. Animal Care is a field where interest, aptitude and commitment are often more important than initial entry qualifications. Some experience of animal handling or dog training with your own or other people's pets is often expected and is evidence that you are highly motivated and any accredited qualification will be to your advantage. Some jobs give you the chance of gaining NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) while in employment.
KENNEL AND CATTERY OWNERS AND MANAGERS
There are no formal qualifications required to purchase and run your own kennel or cattery although you will need a licence from the local authority who may ask that you or your employed staff have some animal care qualification. The capital required to purchase your own kennel is substantial as you are buying accommodation as well as a business. You will certainly require considerable hands on experience and qualifications to manage a kennel or cattery for someone else whether it a private business or a charity. Apart from animal handling skills all the usual small business expertise is required - in spades! Apart from dealing with concerned and sometimes highly strung customers and the local authority officers (many of whom are woefully short of experience in this field, staff are often young and/or inexperienced. The best are wonderful but the others make life very hard work.
KENNEL WORK
Many kennels board dogs while their owners are on holiday. There are also:
- breeding kennels
- quarantine kennels (though the number of these have decreased since April 2001 when changes to the quarantine laws were introduced)
- racing greyhound kennels
- sanctuary and rescue kennels
Kennel assistants feed, groom, exercise and clean out the dogs. Work starts early and weekends must be covered. In quarantine kennels, especially, you may learn about treating sick and healthy animals by helping the vets with inspections. You don't need academic qualifications, but you must be healthy with lots of stamina. Experience of handling dogs is a big help. On the minus side, the pay is often low but prospects can be good for those that stay in the industry. Young people in their early twenties often have responsible jobs with accommodation provided. Self-employment is also a possible career direction, but you will need considerable financial backing to start your own business. You could look for local work which includes training, or go as a working pupil to a good breeding or boarding kennels. Ask the Learning and Skills Council and Lantra (just 'google the names for the up to date web sites) for advice on courses and training. And look out for adverts in the dog magazines and local press. Your local careers service will know of any training opportunities for young people in your area. Many agricultural colleges run animal care courses of one, two and even three years. Some are excellent but you must ensure before you begin that the course will give you a wide range of experience in the industry and that it is not all learned at a desk. Employers need people who have good pet animal handling skills and these are only gained through experience.
GROOMING
Canine groomers work from their own homes, in pet-shops, specialist grooming rooms, show kennels or with vets' practices. They make dogs look their best by shampooing and trimming their coats, cleaning their teeth and clipping nails. They must be good at handling dogs (and cats) and calming them if they're nervous. Training may be given on the job if you work at a kennels or pet shop, possibly leading to a City and Guilds certificate in dog-grooming run in conjunction with the Pet Care Trust. Private grooming schools advertise in the dog magazines and on the Internet. This is one way of gaining the necessary experience, but do make sure the course leads to a recognised qualification and the centre is accredited by the Pet Care Trust. A list of dog grooming training centres is available from the Trust on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope. It takes determination and practice to make a living as a dog groomer and while finding work with an existing grooming room can be difficult, prospects for self-employment are good for you can set up your own business with very little capital.
WORK WITH THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION
The Association has regional training centres at Forfar, Bolton, Exeter, Leamington Spa, Wokingham, Middlesborough and Redbridge, and a breeding centre at Tollgate. All staff need to be very fit, and also good at working with visually-impaired people as well as with the dogs. Experience of paid or voluntary work with animals and/or with adults from various backgrounds will help your chances of employment. There are jobs in office administration and fund-raising as well as the jobs involving regular contact with the dogs. There is always a long waiting list and previous experience is usually essential. Kennelstaff (preferably with some experience) are recruited from the age of 18, usually with at least GCSE in English or its equivalent, but motivation is as important as academic qualifications. There is an initial six month period of training, followed by further on the job training of up to 18 months, leading to a GDBA City and Guilds qualification. Guide dog trainers need to be over 18, with GCSEs in English and Maths supported by a science. A full driving licence is required plus evidence of relevant experience with both animals and people. New entrants share an initial two months' preliminary training with kennel staff, followed by another year or so learning training techniques. Once qualified, trainers are responsible for training dogs from the age of one year until they themselves can confidently allow the dog to guide them whilst blindfolded. Guide dog mobility instructors are responsible for the final stages of training of the dogs, followed by a four-week residential course teaching the visually-impaired person and the guide dog to work successfully together. This training takes place at the Association's centres, but it is followed up by visits to the client's home to monitor their progress. Applicants for instructor positions need to be over 18 years of age, with five GCSEs or their equivalent, otherwise the requirements are the same as for guide dog trainers. Training involves a three year apprenticeship. There is normally one intake each year of about six apprentices, so competition for places is tough. There are opportunities for further training and promotion to senior and management posts.
WORK WITH HEARING DOGS FOR DEAF PEOPLE
This organisation trains dogs to react to sounds such as an alarm clock, a doorbell or a crying baby and to lead their deaf owner to the source of the sound. This is a much newer and smaller organisation than Guide Dogs for the Blind, but it is expanding rapidly in response to increasing demand. The range of jobs is similar to those with guide dogs. Applicants are selected on individual merit. All need to have experience of dog behaviour and training and must have a caring and responsible attitude towards both animals and people. Applicants must have clear speech and communication skills. A knowledge of sign language is an advantage, but training will be given at the centre. There are no rigid exam requirements but a good standard of education is expected. Trainee posts are sometimes residential and the minimum age is 18. A driving licence is necessary (and, really, a car too, because the training centre is off the beaten track). You will be welcomed if you can 'sign' or are training to 'sign'
DOG-TRAINING AND HANDLING IN THE ARMED FORCES
There are opportunities to train dogs and to work as dog-handlers or kennel staff within the Royal Air Force Police, the Military Police and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. Dogs are used as guard dogs and for tracking and searching. Dog-lovers should remember, however, that their main job in the Armed Forces is military!
DOG-HANDLING IN THE POLICE
You cannot go directly into the police force as a dog-handler but after the two-year probationary period, police constables have the opportunity to specialise to some extent.
DOG-HANDLING IN CUSTOMS AND EXCISE
There are limited opportunities in this Government department and you would need considerable experience of security or similar work with dogs before applying.
SECURITY SERVICES
Large security firms supply dogs with handlers to patrol customers' premises. Dog-handling is usually only a small part of a security officer's duties. The dogs are trained to protect whoever is handling them, but are not usually assigned to one particular security officer. With some big companies, you may be able to start as a kennel assistant and eventually become a trainer of patrol dogs.
ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETIES
There is a wide range of jobs in animal welfare societies which do not directly involve looking after dogs and cats on a daily basis. They include rehomers, home advisors, behaviourists, and receptionists. Most require experience and usually recruit from successful employed staff. Graduates may find opportunities to research into dog welfare though universities (Southampton and Cambridge) which have post graduate courses in companion animal studies while the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare offers very occasional projects. A recent study examined how the constant noise of barking in kennels affects the dogs' hearing. A list of the major animal charities can be obtained from the British Association of Dogs and Cats Homes.
DOG WARDENS
Local authorities now have an obligation to deal with any dog problems within their area, including strays (any dog unaccompanied by a human). Duties include picking dogs up, transporting them to kennels or returning them to their owners and informing the owners of their responsibilities. It may be necessary for wardens to enforce the law relating to dogs, and work closely with the police and welfare societies. You would also need to talk to schools and community groups about issues such as dog fouling, so communication skills are important. A dog warden must be able to deal with people and obviously be good with and understand dogs. A driving licence is essential. Jobs are usually advertised in the local press or through your local authority. This is a job to go to after basic training as most authorities and companies require people of at least 21 to control stray or badly supervised dogs in their area. They work with police and animal welfare societies as necessary.
VETERINARY SURGEON
You need to be very good at school to become a vet. The six veterinary schools have hundreds of applications every year for just three hundred places. You need three A levels in the sciences, preferable with an A grade in each one. The veterinary schools are not just interested in academic qualifications and those who have worked with animals voluntarily or taken a year out to work in a boarding kennel or rescue centre are much more likely to get an interview.
VETERINARY NURSING
There are always more applicants for veterinary nursing than there are places. You need to have at least five GCSEs at C or above and they must include Maths and at least one other science. An NVQ in animal care at Level 2 counts as one of the GCSEs and you can also enter via a Preliminary Vet Nursing Course which is run by some agricultural colleges. But they still require a good academic record. You are more likely to be taken on at an Approved Training Centre is you have demonstrated a commitment to working with animals. Degree courses that incorporate the Veterinary Nursing qualification have recently been introduced, as has an NVQ in Veterinary Nursing. You might also consider the idea of working in a veterinary surgery as a receptionist where you could gradually gain the experience necessary to become a nursing auxiliary.
COURSES
Apart from the training provision mentioned above, you will find various courses in animal care at some colleges of further education, including NVQs at levels 1, 2 and 3, which can also be gained through training whilst working with dogs. The Animal Care College offers correspondence courses, giving qualifications through the National Open College Network on a wide range of topics such as canine and feline psychology, supporting materials for NVQ Levels 1,2 and 3, dog-breeding, training, judging and kennel management. The Pet Care Trust has a list of grooming training centres who are members of The British Dog Groomers Association. The College of Animal Welfare holds many short courses on animal care and welfare and has developed a graduate course for veterinary nurses.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
Animal Care College - Index House, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7ET. Tel: 01344 636436.
College of Animal Welfare, Kings Bush Farm, London Rd, Godmanchester, Cambs. 01480 830014
British Association of Dogs' and Cats' Homes, The Dogs' Home Battersea, 4 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4AA. Tel: 020 7622 3626.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG. Tel: 01189 835555.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - Training Centre, London Road (A40), Lewknor, Oxfordshire OX9 5RY. Tel: 01844 353898.
The Kennel Club - 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London WlY 8AB. Tel: 0870 6066750. Can provide a booklet - A Guide to Careers with Dogs .
Dogs Trust - 17 Wakley Street, London EClV 7RQ. Tel: 0171 837 0006.
National Dog Wardens Association - The Secretary (Sue Bell), c/o Tewkesbury Borough Council, Council Offices, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury GL20 5TT. Tel: 01684 295010.
National Greyhound Racing Club Ltd Licence Department, Twyman House, 16 Bonny Street, London NWl 9QD. Tel: 0171 267 9256. Can provide fact sheets on careers in greyhound racing.
Pet Care Trust/British Dog Groomers' Association - Bedford Business Centre, 170 Mile Road, Bedford MK42 9TW. Tel: 01234 273933.
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (includes veterinary nursing) Belgravia House, 63 Horseferry Road, London SW1X 8QP Tel: 0171 222 2001.
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire AL4 8AN. Tel: 01582 831818. The Federation produces a booklet Careers with Animals, on receipt of stamps to the value of 50p
Further information Kennel addresses can be found in Yellow Pages or other local directories.
Send for a list of quarantine kennels from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Vacancies in the animal care industry are advertised in Our Dogs, Dog World, Kennel and Cattery Management and Horse and Hound.
For work with greyhounds, contact the National Greyhound Racing Club
Ask at your local careers centre (Connexions) about job and training opportunities for young people or at the Jobcentre for adults.
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