5 Career Change Ideas That Involve Working with Animals

If you’re looking to make a career change in your 60s, then it can help to start by considering what you’re passionate about. For an animal lover, getting to spend all day hanging out with a bunch of furry friends can be a dream come true.

With that said, here are five job ideas that could help you take a step towards the purr-fect career.

Dog Walker

Would you love to take a walk on the wild side? Well, as a Dog Walker, you can. Often a dog will never be more excited to see you than when you’re arriving to take him out for his favourite part of the day.

If you love dogs and have a reasonable level of fitness, then there’s no reason why you can’t get started straight away. The easiest way to start building a client base is to sign up to a dog walking website like Tailster, which will connect you with dog owners near you.

RSPCA Inspector

If you’d love to be able to swoop in and rescue an animal when they need you most, then why not consider a role as an RSPCA Inspector? They work to reduce animal cruelty by removing animals from unsafe situations and educating their owners.

The role is hugely rewarding but also physically and emotionally challenging. You may have to lift heavy equipment or animals, and you’ll need to be a strong swimmer, in case you find yourself working around water.

If this piques your interest, then it’s best to contact your local RSPCA rescue centre to enquire about trainee positions.

Assistance Dog Trainer

Could you help train the next generation of canine heroes? Assistance Dog Trainers work with dogs to teach them how to guide and assist people with sight and/or hearing loss, so that they can live as normal a life as possible.

The satisfaction rate in this role is high, as you’ll get to follow puppies on their journey into their new role, until they are released to someone whose life they will ultimately change for the better.

If you like what you hear, then it’s worth getting in touch with an organisation like Guide Dogs UK or Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – who regularly take on trainees in paid positions – to find out what your options might be.

Dog Groomer

Are you a dog lover with a creative flair? Dog grooming can offer a fun and varied career which will allow you to carry on learning long after your initial training is over.

Dog Groomers are like hairdressers or beauty therapists for dogs, as they make dogs look and smell fantastic by providing services such as washing, trimming, and teeth cleaning.

Dog grooming salons often take on trainees with no previous grooming experience. You can browse trainee Dog Groomer roles on the Rest Less website.

Pet Behaviourist

Have you ever wondered what your pet is thinking or feeling? As a Pet Behavourist, you would analyse unusual pet behaviour and work towards resolving it, so that both animal and owner can become happier and strengthen their bond.

If you think that this is something you might like to do, then it’s worth doing some volunteering with an animal charity. This will give you the chance to talk to people in the industry and work out whether it’s the right career for you.

Working with animals can offer both mental and physical health benefits, so even if the roles above don’t work for you – then that’s not to say there’s not something else animal-related that’s out there for you.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which animal-related career sounds the most interesting? Have you worked with animals before? Is there a particular type of animal that you’d love to work with? Please share with our community!