CHAPTER

1. 5 CHAPTER Careers in SmallAnimal Care

2. Overview of U.S. Pet Industry • Many households have pets • Pets in ~58.9 percent of homes in 1996 • Dogs in ~31.6 percent, cats in ~27.3 percent • More cats than dogs (average of 2 per home) • Pet expenses over $20.3 billion per year • Pet care just one part of small animal care

3. Animal Breeders/Technicians • Role • Help breed, raise, and market varied animals (livestock, pets, exotics) • Education and training • Ag and science courses in high school • Tech school (9 months or 2 years) or college • Exploring the career • 4-H, National FFA, volunteering

4. Animal Breeders/Technicians (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • “Learn and earn,” placement services • Growing demand for tech program grads • Earnings • Vary by education, animals, and area • Mean wages (2002): $29,340 annually • Work environment • Mostly inside, long/irregular hours, danger

5. Animal Caretakers • Role • Provide day-to-day care for healthy or sick animals • Education and training • High school diploma with science and health • Associate or bachelor degree • Exploring the career • Volunteering most valuable

6. Animal Caretakers (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Advancement depends on job setting • Field expected to grow faster than average through 2012 • Earnings • Average wages (2002): $18,750 annually • Work environment • Indoors or out, heavy lifting, repetition, dirt, danger, long/irregular hours

7. Animal Handlers • Role • Care for, train, and study animals in places like zoos, parks, research labs • Education and training • High school diploma in sciences • Postsecondary education preferable • Exploring the career • Zoo programs, part-time or after-school jobs

8. Animal Handlers (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Jobs can be highly competitive • Advancement not necessarily a goal • Earnings • Animal experience often a reward • Median salary (2002): $17,080 annually • Work environment • Indoors and out, dirt and mess, danger of disease and injury

9. Animal Trainers • Role • Teach animals to perform for entertainment, protection, or special-needs support • Education and training • High school courses in sciences • College, special degree may be required • Exploring the career • Personal study, volunteering, part-time jobs

10. Animal Trainers (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Advancement through job experience • Some jobs limited, competitive • Expected to grow faster than average through 2012 • Earnings • Median salary (2002): $22,950 annually • Work environment • Varies widely, though mostly outdoors with travel, irregular hours, and physical tasks

11. Aquarists • Role • Maintain, manage, and support aquariums, oceanariums, and marine research institutes • Education and training • High school sciences (biology/zoology) • Usually bachelor degree in biology • Exploring the career • Education, strong interest in field, volunteer experience

12. Aquarists (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • More part-time than full-time opportunities • Part-time or volunteer jobs to full-time ones • Earnings • Average salary: $23,000 to $32,000 annually • Work environment • Indoors or out; water-based, sometimes repetitive tasks; possible travel

13. Biologists • Role • Study living organisms’ origin, development, anatomy, function, distribution, and other basic principles • Education and training • Broad high school and undergrad college education • Bachelor degree in biology or specialized field • Exploring the career • Related courses, part-time jobs, research projects

14. Biologists (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Many advancement opps, driven by education • Growth as fast as average through 2012 • Earnings • Median salary (2002): $60,390 annually • Work environment • Varies from indoor lab to outdoors with travel; may involve danger or primitive conditions

15. Naturalists • Role • Educate the public about the environment and maintain nature on dedicated land • Education and training • High school sciences, animal care helpful • Undergrad degree in environmental, physical, or natural sciences • Exploring the career • Volunteering at national/state parks or nature centers, conservation programs and organizations

16. Naturalists (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Part-time or seasonal jobs as entry points • Outlook fair into first decade of 21st century • Earnings • Basic pay: From $44,136 to $52,899 annually • Work environment • Mostly outdoors, often remote sites, long work periods, possibly physical exertion

17. Pet Groomers • Role • Comb, cut, trim, and shape dog and cat fur • Education and training • High school diploma or GED beneficial • Training through work, school, or self-study • Exploring the career • Personal pet care, youth organizations, part-time or volunteer jobs

18. Pet Groomers (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Many avenues of advancement • Demand faster than average through 2012 • Earnings • Salary: From $12,709 to $27,872 annually • Work environment • Salons, kennels, pet shops, homes, or vans; 40-hour week with nights/weekends

19. Veterinarians • Role • Diagnoses, controls, and treats animals’ diseases and injuries, advises on proper care • Education and training • College prep in high school, 4 years undergrad, vet college, license to practice • Exploring the career • Part-time or volunteer work, extracurricular activities

20. Veterinarians (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Must complete prescribed program • Faster than average growth through 2012 • Earnings • Median salary (2003): $64,750 annually • Work environment • Hospitals or clinics or farms or ranches, possibly outdoors, long/irregular hours

21. Veterinary Technicians • Role • Support and assist veterinarians • Education and training • High school diploma, 2- to 4-year college-accredited program • Exploring the career • Animal care experience, paid or volunteer jobs

22. Veterinary Technicians (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Unlimited job opportunities • Faster-than-average growth through 2012 • Earnings • Median salary (2003): $23,340 annually • Work environment • Usually 40-hour week with long and/or weekend hours, emergency work

23. Zoo and Aquarium Curatorsand Directors • Role • Coordinate the business affairs of zoos and aquariums • Education and training • High school sciences, outside school activities • Minimum of bachelor degree, more is helpful • Exploring the career • Self-study, volunteering

24. Zoo and Aquarium Curatorsand Directors (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Need work experience for advancement • Outlook less than favorable • Earnings • Median salary (2002): $35,270 annually • Work environment • Employing facility, largely inside

25. Zookeepers • Role • Provide zoo animals daily care • Education and training • High school science, often need 4-year college degree • On-the-job training programs or internships • Exploring the career • Teen volunteer programs, part-time or volunteer jobs

26. Zookeepers (con’t) • Advancement and outlook • Intense competition, low turnover • Slower-than-average growth through 2012 • Earnings • Average salary (2000): $24,925 annually • Work environment • Constant work, sometimes outdoors; varied schedule; danger potential