12 interesting careers for animal lovers you can pursue in India!

Are you someone who likes to spend all their time with animals? Or prefer them over the company of humans? After all, animals have so much love to give to us, it’s hard to stay away from them. If you are passionate about animals and their welfare, then let us mark World Animal Day and explore careers for animal lovers.

October 4 marks the annual celebration of World Animal Day, establishing the relationship between humans and the animal kingdom. The occasion commemorates Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who would bless animals on a feast day held on this day itself. The international day of action calls for action and awareness for animal rights and their welfare. One of the best ways to support the cause and your passion is by exploring careers for animal lovers.  

Veterinary doctor

What better way to contribute to the welfare of animals by treating and caring for them? If you are interested in medical science and are passionate about animals, then becoming a veterinary doctor is one of the best careers for animal lovers. Such medical professionals diagnose and treat the injuries and illnesses of a wide variety of animals. They also provide them with vaccinations, first-aid, and take care of their overall health. 

In order to pursue a career as a veterinary doctor in India, you will have to finish a five-year program of BVSc & AH (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) from a university recognised by the Veterinary Council of India. For further specialisation, you can pursue your Masters in Veterinary Science in fields like medicine, surgery, genetics and breeding, biotechnology, pharmacology, physiology and more. This opens up several career options for graduates, who receive remuneration based on the institution they are affiliated with, and the kind of work they do. 

Wildlife conservationist 

The critical times we live in where preservation of wildlife and aquatic species is of utmost importance calls for the role of wildlife conservationists. This is one of those careers for animal lovers which helps in raising awareness about the welfare of these animals on a national level. Their role is to maintain and regenerate the wildlife animals live in by studying animal habits, their demographics, climate trends, and more. 

Doing a course like B.Sc. in Forestry, Environmental Science, or Wildlife can help you pave the way for your career as a wildlife conservationist. Further, specialising in fields like Forest Management, Commercial Forestry, Forest Economics and more can increase your prospects. The average wildlife conservationist salary in India is ₹3,56,063 or an equivalent hourly rate of ₹171.

Wildlife/pet photographer 

Have an eye for photography and passion for animals? Then becoming an animal photographer is amongst the perfect careers for animal lovers like you! You can either be a wildlife photographer, where your time capturing animals in the wild. On the other hand you can also be a pet photographer. This is a skill-based profession where you should be knowledgeable about cameras, angles, photography terminologies, usage of light, and be patient. The rarer your work, more the cash flow.  

Animal scientist

If research is your calling, then becoming an animal scientist is something you should explore. It is one of those careers for animal lovers which encourages conducting research on aspects like diseases, vaccinations, genetics and reproduction, the livestock industry, and the list goes on. You can accordingly find employment in both private and government sectors. 

During your graduation, it is mandatory to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science. You can also take up certifications in Zoology, Animal Breeding, Nutrition, Reproduction, and And Muscle Biology, etc. along with your graduation. A master’s would be beneficial in case you wish to specialise and understand concepts in further detail. 

Pet groomer

Just like we as humans maintain our hygiene, our furry friends also deserve some maintenance. Becoming a pet groomer is one of those careers for animal lovers which focuses on domestic animals. Trimming the animal’s hair, nails, cleaning their teeth and de-worming them are just some of the responsibilities. You'd be surprised to know how popular and well-paid the job is. Even though there are no strict educational requirements for this job, a diploma and passion for animals will always help.

Zoologist

Before we jump into this option, let us distinguish it from other careers for animal lovers, especially animal scientists. People often confuse the role of a zoologist with an animal scientist. Zoology is the study of the animal kingdom, including the distribution, evolution and behaviour of animals. Animal science is the study of animals under human control, such as pets and farm animals. A degree in zoology can help you become an animal scientist, or a zoologist.

As a zoologist, you may select a group of animals and conduct research projects, write and publish papers, study animal behaviour, ensure and educate about animal welfare, collect and analyse animal specimen data, and the list goes on. To become a zoologist, complete your graduation in either zoology or biology, and pursue a doctoral degree. 

Animal trainer

If you’re a pro at teaching your pet tricks which impress everyone around, then think about becoming a professional animal trainer. As absurd as it may seem, this is one of those careers for animal lovers which actually pays off. You can be hired by different agencies which ask you to train animals for competitions and shows. There is no set education path for this role, but the traits needed most in this career are patience, problem-solving ability, sensitivity, and respect towards animals.  

Animal-assisted therapist

The list of careers for animal lovers cover all fields, from research to psychology. 

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is one such example where animals assist qualified mental health professionals to counsel and help people via therapy. You may wonder how animals can help in therapy. According to a study conducted by Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 74% of pet owners reported improvement in mental health via pet ownership. This is because being in contact with animals increases the rush of endorphins, making you feel calm and happy. 

Along with doing graduation in psychology, you should pursue certification programs exploring the relationship between humans and animals in order to become an AAT. 

Marine biologist and oceanographer

If you are looking for careers for animal lovers which let you explore aquatic life, becoming a marine biologist or an oceanographer is the perfect choice for you. A marine biologist studies all marine life and their characteristics. They also see how underwater life interacts with other creatures they live with, along with their environment. Oceanographers on the other hand study the water and its movements through calculations, and come up with ways to save aquatic life. 

Both of these careers are research-driven, focusing on marine life. Doing general graduation courses like Zoology, Fishery Science, Botany, and others, followed by a specialised masters degree in Marine Biology or Oceanography is the perfect way to go!

Animal cruelty investigator

Careers for animal lovers which encourage them to take hands-on action for the welfare and security of animals include the job profile of an animal cruelty investigator. The role involves obtaining search and seizure warrants, finding animals who are facing cruelty and removing them from their respective properties. Additionally, they also play a part in transporting animals and working with law enforcement officials. Organisations like PETA have reputed posts with respectable salaries for such investigators. 

Investigative journalism is a skill that animal cruelty investigators should possess. Basic veterinary knowledge or experience a plus. 

Zookeeper

Zookeepers are responsible for caring for wild animals in zoos and animal parks. Such careers for animal lovers encourage them to feed, groom, clean, and observe these animals. In order to become a zookeeper, you would require an associate's degree in animal training management, and a bachelor's degree in biology or zoology. Keepers also have a good understanding of math so that they can measure food properly, along with writing and speaking skills so that they can take notes and talk to the public. 

Animal sitters and caretaker

If you are looking for temporary careers for animal lovers, then this one's for you. All you need is your passion for animals to support you for this role. An animal sitter attends to pets when their owners can’t. This may not be a high-paying job, but it is definitely rewarding. Experience of handling pets is required, along with your love for animals and trust from the pet owners. 

Animal caretakers work at places like kennels, pet stores, and veterinary clinics and take care of animals living or staying there. You are expected to give them food, water, and play with them to keep them happy. Talk about a dream job! While some places will ask you for a proper course in the field, most just require love for animals and experience.

So what are you waiting for? Choose from the list of careers for animal lovers and pursue your passions of being surrounded by animals! After all, animals share with us the privilege of having a soul, so the least we can do is work towards them this World Animal Day. 

If you found this article interesting, then check out the following links:

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