Introduction
There are several careers that involve taking care of other people’s pets. These careers can vary in terms of qualifications required and the difficulty of starting a business in that field.
Here’s a list of some of these careers with brief definitions, qualification requirements, and a rating of their difficulty:
1. Pet Sitter
Pet sitters care for pets in the pet owner’s home or at their own facility. In most cases the pet sitter will take care of the animals by feeding them, grooming them and sometimes stay with them so that they have company.
How to become a Pet Sitter
Generally, pet sitters must have at least a minimum of a high school diploma, when working for an established business. This might not be necessary when starting your own pet sitting business.
Although further education is not necessary, the best pet sitters learn additional skills on the job, or acquire skills through completing short courses, such as animal first aid.
Career Name – Pet Sitter
Category – Animal Care / Business
Skills Required – Life skills 60% – Career skills 40%
Basic School Subjects – Language, Business Studies. Biology
Minimum Required Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Cats, Dogs, Critters, Farm Animals, Fish, Birds, Reptiles
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Difficulty Level of becoming a Pet Sitter
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
2. Dog Walker
A dog walker is a person walking with a dog or a group of dogs, usually from the dog’s home and then returning the dog back to its home.
A dog walker can either be an individual or be part of a business. He or she will be paid by the dog owner to walk their dog or dogs for them as a part of their daily exercise routine to keep it healthy.
How to become a Dog Walker
Whist there are no specific qualifications required to become a dog walker, having qualifications in areas such as animal first aid, animal behaviour, or animal care, will enhance your professional standing. If you choose to work for an existing dog walking organisation you will find that the entry requirements for different job vacancies vary.
Career Title – Dog Walker
Category – Animal Care / Business
Skills Required – Life skills 40% – Career skills 60%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Business Studies, Language
Minimum Required Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Difficulty Level of becoming a Dog Walker
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
3. Boarding Kennel Assistant
Kennel Assistants work at kennels to assist in the care of the visiting dogs. Kennels are places where dog owners can take their dogs to stay over, while they might be travelling. It’s like a hotel for dogs.
Some kennels also offer separate boarding services for cats, rabbits, exotic birds, and a variety of other pet species, though these animals are kept in a separate area away from the dog kennel.
Kennels for cats are called catteries, and is discussed in the next point.
How to become a Boarding Kennel Assistant
Generally, Kennel Assistants must have at least a minimum of a high school diploma (certificate), when working for an established kennel.
Although further education is not necessary, the best kennel workers learn additional skills on the job, or acquire skills through completing short courses.
Career Title – Kennel Assistant
Category – Animal Care
Skills Required – Life skills 50% – Career skills 50%
Basic School Subjects – Language, Biology, Business Studies
Required Basic Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Difficulty Level of becoming a Boarding Kennel Assistant
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
4. Cattery Assistant
A Cattery Assistant works at a cattery to assist in the care of the visiting cats. Catteries are places where cat owners can take their Feline family to stay over, while they might be traveling. It’s like a hotel for cats. Catteries are also the name given to places where people Breed with certain breeds of cats.
How to become a Cattery Assistant
Generally, Cattery Assistants must have at least a minimum of a high school diploma (certificate), when working for an established cattery. Although further education is not necessary, the best cattery workers learn additional skills on the job, or acquire skills through completing short courses.
Career Title – Cattery Assistant
Category – Animal Care
Skills Required – Life skills 50% – Career skills 50%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Business Studies, Language
Required Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Cats
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Difficulty Level of becoming a Cattery Assistant
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
5. Animal Groomer
An Animal Groomer provides grooming and styling services for a number of different animals, mostly pets.
They generally bathe pets, cut and style their hair, trim nails, and brush their teeth, among other grooming services.
Animal groomers may decide to work with different kinds of domesticated animals, or specialize in one specific kind:
- Pet groomer (different kinds)
- Dog groomer (only dogs)
- Cat groomer (only cats)
- Horse groomer
Groomers can also work from different places:
- In a commercially located doggy spa
- From their own homes
- At the homes of their clients
- A mobile grooming van
How to become an Animal Groomer
To become a Groomer, either a high school certificate or its equivalent (Grade 12) is preferred. Much of a groomer’s training is on the job, serving as an apprentice.
In some cases there are short courses that would add to experience, especially if you do want to start your own grooming business. The top percentage of groomers do study even further towards a certificate or College Diploma.
Career Title – Animal Groomer
Category – Animal Care / Business / Farming & Livestock Management
Skills Required – Life skills 35% – Career skills 65%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Business Studies, Language
Minimum Required Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Cats, Dogs, Critters, Farm Animals
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Difficulty Level of becoming an Animal Groomer
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
6. Dog Obedience Trainer
Dog Obedience Trainer uses various techniques to train dogs to do things on command, or to act in specific ways within the home or around other people and animals.
How to become a Dog Obedience Trainer
The minimum requirements for training careers is a High School Certificate, but most countries will require at least a College Diploma.
Advanced training will require higher education and constant upskilling through certificates and diplomas.
Career Name – Dog Obedience Trainer
Category – Animal Care / Business / Law & Enforcement
Skills Required – Life skills 45% – Career skills 55%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Science, Business Studies
Required Minimum Education – College Diploma
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Difficulty Level of becoming a Dog Obedience Trainer
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
Starting a business in any of these fields will require careful planning, adherence to local regulations, marketing, and a strong dedication to building a client base. The level of difficulty can vary depending on factors like location and personal experience in the field.
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