There are lots of ways to work with animals. Some jobs will need high level qualifications while other jobs will just need an interest and love for animals.
Many people who want to work with animals gain experience by volunteering in places like:
- Animal shelters
- Catteries
- Dog kennels
- Vet practices
Animal shelters always welcome volunteers to help them care for the animals. Always check the age you need to be to volunteer. Some places allow ages 14 and above and others can only accept people who are 16 or above. Find out more about volunteering.
Around 31,200 people in Wales work with animals.
Source: LightcastTM, occupations 2026
The of the jobs advertised in the last 12 months that involved working with animals were:
- Veterinary Surgeons
- Small Animal Veterinarians
- Farm Workers
- Veterinary Nurses
- Pet Stylist / Dog Groomers
- Veterinary Technicians
- Kennel Assistants
Source: LightcastTM March 2025 - February 2026
Here are just some of the jobs you could do working with animals:
Skills to work with animals
You need to be good at:
- Handling animals gently but firmly
- Being patient and calm
- Talking to customers
- Being friendly
- Following instructions
- Keeping health and safety rules
Some of the top skills asked for in job adverts working with animals were:
- Communication
- Customer service
- Animal care
- Cleanliness (keeping everything clean)
- Enthusiasm
(Source: Lightcast, July 2024)
Qualities to work with animals
You need to be a person who:
- Is passionate about helping animals
- Work well under pressure
- Can handle seeing animals who are sick or injured
- Is caring towards animals and their owners
Find a job that works with animals
You can work with animals in different industries like retail, conservation and animal welfare. Look at:
