| If you love animals, want to stand up for animal | | | | job and if you are a qualified vet or veterinary |
| rights and need to make a living, then you may | | | | nurse even better! |
| want to explore the possibilities of working in an | | | | What Kind of Jobs Are Available in an Animal |
| animal sanctuary or for an animal rights | | | | Sanctuary? |
| organization. This is a great option for people who | | | | Many sanctuaries do not have the funds to |
| cannot afford to start their own sanctuary, or | | | | employ anyone and rely heavily on volunteers, but |
| simply need more experience with animals and | | | | larger (better funded) sanctuaries and |
| the running of a shelter. | | | | organizations employ people in many different |
| Are You Suited to Working in an Animal | | | | roles. You could be a shelter manager, animal |
| Sanctuary? | | | | carer, driver, receptionist, administrator, |
| To work in an animal sanctuary you need to have | | | | accountant, campaign organizer, fund raising |
| a huge love of animals. The work can be hard and | | | | manager, vet, vet nurse, animal behaviorist, |
| somewhat draining, so a true desire to help | | | | education organizer, school speaker, employee |
| animals will make this so much easier. As well as | | | | trainer. There are other jobs you may not even |
| loving spending time with animals, it is important | | | | have thought of. |
| to be compassionate. Rescued animals have | | | | How Much Money Can You Make? |
| sometimes been through hard times. They may | | | | Generally jobs in not for profit organizations such |
| be traumatized and have behavioral problems. | | | | as animal sanctuaries and animal rights |
| They could be skittish or even aggressive. | | | | organizations are low paid. People who work in this |
| Patience and empathy are needed to help these | | | | field, do not do it for the money. They do it for |
| animals. | | | | the love of the animals and a desire to bring |
| Working for an animal rights organization is suited | | | | about change. Of course you will be paid a liveable |
| to both practical (hands on) people and people | | | | wage and this will vary from place to place. Your |
| who are more academic. There are jobs available | | | | compensation will be huge in that you will have a |
| working with the animals and others where you | | | | very rewarding job and will be making a |
| can work in the office and on animal rights | | | | difference in the world. You will also be gaining |
| campaigns. | | | | valuable experience if one day you plan to start |
| You may want to look into the kind of animal | | | | your own sanctuary or non profit organization. |
| shelter/organization you are applying for a job at. | | | | How Will You Be Able to Help Animals? |
| Some may be no-kill shelters, but others may | | | | Working as part of an animal rights organization or |
| take in so many cats and dogs etc that they | | | | a sanctuary is a great way to help animals. You |
| have little option but to euthanize some of these | | | | may already volunteer, write letters and take |
| animals. This can be very hard to deal with, | | | | part in protests and you will know how great it |
| especially if you are very sensitive (like me). If | | | | feels to be proactive and part of bringing about |
| you find this hard to deal with you may want to | | | | change. Imagine how great you would feel if that |
| apply at no kill shelters or an office job involving | | | | was part of your 9-5 job. |
| animal rights. | | | | You can make a difference to individual animals |
| You must try and remember that euthanasia is | | | | lives as well as progressing the movement as a |
| sometimes the kindest option, especially for very | | | | whole. Working with animals really is a wonderful |
| sick animals. This is why it is essential to spread | | | | way to spend your life. |
| the message to spay and neuter pets, so that | | | | Consider Volunteering |
| less animals are euthanized in shelters. | | | | There are limited paid jobs available in the |
| You have more chance of getting a job in animal | | | | sanctuary and animal rights movement. A great |
| rights if you have shown a true commitment to | | | | way to get your foot in the door is to volunteer |
| the cause. Gain experience by volunteering at a | | | | or become an intern. You can gain loads of |
| shelter, or perhaps organize protests and leafleting | | | | knowledge and hands on experience. |
| campaigns in your local area. | | | | Even if it does not lead to a job volunteering is a |
| Many animal sanctuaries advocate vegetarianism | | | | wonderful thing to do in your spare time and can |
| and veganism. Out of respect for the animals you | | | | make a huge difference to the organization. It |
| work with/for you should consider changing your | | | | also looks good on your resume when you apply |
| diet to a more compassionate one. | | | | for other jobs. |
| A qualification in animal care may help you get a | | | | |