There are a number of career opportunities within animal welfare organizations. Zoos and nature reserves need educated personnel to take care of the captive animals, while law enforcement agencies need employees to pick up stray animals as well as to operate animal shelters. Besides a desire to work with and help animals, most careers in this field require a certain level of education.
Animal Control Officer
Animal control officers work with law enforcement agencies to control the stray animal population within cities and counties. He also investigates animal cruelty reports and maintains shelters where stray animals are held and possibly returned to owners or adopted to new families. A high school diploma as well as an associate's or bachelor's degree in a law enforcement field is recommended to become an animal control officer.
Zookeeper
Zookeepers take care of captive exotic animals, handling the feeding, cleaning and, in some cases, training duties. She may work at zoos, animal parks or reserves. Because the job entails such facets as research, public education and recreation as well as animal care, zookeepers need at least an associate's degree in animal training management, though a bachelor's degree in biology or zoology is recommended.
Humane Educators
Humane educators can include animal welfare, animal rights and animal behavior teachers. He uses educational methods to inform and teach children and adults about humane attitudes toward people, animals and the environment. It's important to have a knowledge of animal welfare issues and a willingness to travel to different schools, businesses or zoos.
Wildlife Rehabilitators
Wildlife rehabilitators work with wild animals that have been injured, abandoned as babies or kept as pets and need to be reintroduced to natural environments. She creates simulations of natural environments for the animals and works to teach them feed and care for themselves. In order to have a career as a wildlife rehabilitator, she must have a degree in biology, animal anatomy or a similar field so she has at least a basic understanding of animals. She will also need knowledge of the animals she's working, with including eating, socializing and survival needs.
Tags: animal welfare, work with, bachelor degree, care captive, degree biology, enforcement agencies, natural environments