Other Work With Animals

Gamekeeper

Gamekeepers look after game such as pheasants, grouse, ducks, deer and, sometimes, fish. The work involves managing and maintaining the wildlife habitat, organising shoots and feeding animals.

Gamekeepers must be prepared to work alone for most of the time. They also need to be physically fit, able to carry out a variety of practical tasks and prepared to work in all types of weather.

Pet Shop Assistant

Pet shop assistants look after and sell pets such as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, mice, fish and, sometimes, puppies and kittens. They also sell things like food, bedding and cages.

The work involves feeding the animals and cleaning out tanks and cages. Assistants also advise customers on how to feed and look after their pets.

Riding Instructor

Riding instructors teach people of all ages and abilities to ride horses. Other duties include feeding, exercising and grooming the horses every day, although instructors may supervise grooms or trainees who do this work.

Instructors will also deal with administrative tasks such as ordering supplies and writing progress reports.

For each lesson, the instructor needs to create and follow a plan, so pupils progress at their own pace and feel a sense of achievement. The instructor needs to keep track of each pupil’s progress.

Assistance Dog Trainer

Assistance dog trainers train dogs that help people lead independent lives. They work with:

  • guide dogs for people who are blind or who have limited sight
  • hearing dogs for people with hearing difficulties
  • dogs for disabled people or people with medical conditions.

They train dogs to obey commands and respond to noises like doorbells, telephones and smoke alarms.

Pet Behaviour Counsellor

Pet behaviour counsellors treat problems with the behaviour of cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and other pets.

They deal with problems like biting, spraying, too much barking, nervousness and destroying furniture.

To find out what the problem is, counsellors first listen and talk to the owner. Then, they watch how the pet behaves in different situations. Next, counsellors explain what they think the problem is. They give advice and help the owner to plan how to change the way the pet behaves.