Perfect Jobs for Pet Owners

Dedicated pet owners can often seem like their own “breed” of people. If you love your pet and consider them a part of the family, you may want to spend most of your time with them at home. Unfortunately, for most people who have to work, that isn’t realistic.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a huge uptick in pet adoptions early on. Now, however, people may be returning to work for the first time and leaving their four-legged friends behind.

Maybe you’ve realized, recently, that you’re ready to make a career change. Instead of preparing your pet for your return to your old job, if something is pulling you to try something different, it might be a good time to listen.

There are plenty of jobs out there that are better suited for pet owners. Some jobs allow for more flexibility, allowing you to be home more to care for your pet. Or, maybe you love working with animals so much that you’re considering a career that will allow you to do so.

Whatever the case, there are jobs you can consider that will either allow you more time with your own furry best friend or allow you to work with other animals and find fulfillment. Let’s take a look at some of the best options.

Careers with Flexibility

Nowadays, finding a career with flexibility can be easier than ever. Thanks to COVID-19, many people with full-time jobs started working remotely to keep themselves and others safe. While some may be returning to in-person work now, there are perks to working from home, including:

• More flexibility and independence
• Less stress
• Better work-life balance
• No commuting

If you’ve been working remotely for a while now, it may be worth it to talk to your employer about continuing, as long as it’s working for both of you.

But, if a new job is in your future, keep the same flexibility options in mind. Many jobs allow you to work from home, either as a freelancer/contractor or as part of an existing business. Whether you want to work as a web developer, virtual assistant, or graphic designer, the possibilities are endless. Think about your skills and background and how they can be applied to a job that allows for more flexibility. That kind of flexibility will allow you to spend more time at home with your pet, something you’ll both love.

 

Turning a Side Hustle Into a Career

A love for animals can be so strong in some people that they want to be around them all of the time. If that sounds like you but you’re not sure how to get started in a full-time career with animals, consider a side gig.

There are so many ways to work with animals on a part-time basis that you can do it on top of your existing job. If you find that you truly love it, you can take steps to turn your side gig into a full-time career. Some great options for working with animals that can eventually become a full-fledged business include:

• Dog walking
• Pet sitting
• Grooming
• Pet photography
• Doggy daycare

You don’t need years of schooling or training for jobs like these (though you may need building permits and certifications to run a doggy daycare or become a groomer), but it helps to know some things about animals and their behaviors. It can also help to be aware of any potential risks you could be facing. For example, dog walking means you’ll be spending a lot of time outside (don’t forget the poop bags!). There is a greater risk of getting injured from slipping, tripping, or falling on the job, so make sure you’re aware of any potential risks before you decide if a side gig working with pets is right for you.

For the most part, however, any of these side gigs can become full-time careers and can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll also learn very quickly about how to grow your business and make it work for you, so you can earn an income and do what you love, all at once.

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Working Directly with Animals

If pets are your passion, considering a career that allows you to work directly with them daily might feel like a dream come true. While dog-walking and pet-sitting can be fulfilling enough for some people, others want to truly make a difference in the lives of animals and take a more hands-on approach to working with them each day.

The first thing that might come to your mind when you think about working with animals every day is becoming a veterinarian. But, that isn’t your only option. Some other unique careers that will allow you to care for animals include:

• Guide dog trainer
• Vet tech/assistant
• Animal trainer
• Pet adoption counselor

As you might expect, when you’re working directly with animals and taking care of them on different levels, some schooling and training will be involved. If you take the time to get that extra training and you’re looking for a job, make sure to include your qualifications and education on any resume you send out. Some of these jobs require a lot of attention to detail and the training to know what to do in a variety of situations. But, with the right education, they are some of the best ways to help other pet owners and have a greater appreciation for your own companion at home.

There are so many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of animals, and you’ll be taking your love of pets to a whole new level with any of these jobs.

So, whether you simply want to spend more time at home with your own four-legged friend, or you want to regularly work with other people’s pets, it’s never too late to consider a new career as a pet owner. Look for something that lets you follow your passion, gives you more time with your own furry companion, and allows you to help other animals. In doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy your career and find more fulfillment in it every day.