What do Animal Rescuers do?

An Animal Rescuer would typically need to:

• Help animals in need; find and bring back lost pets; capture and return potentially harmful strays; submit a detailed investigative report
• After assessing them for injuries, illness, or starvation, move rescued animals from control vans to shelters; make arrangements for medical care.
• Recapture potentially harmful or lost animals; treat injured wild animals and release them back into their natural environment.
• Control vehicles, kennels, enclosures, and cages should all be kept clean and in working order.
• Maintain a supply of pet food, cleaning materials, and medical equipment, and provide for the animals’ basic needs.
• Help dogs become more social through structured play sessions; modify animal behaviour after rescue.
• Proactively dispel animal cruelty myths and educate people on ethical animal care.
• Pet owners should be notified that their animals have been taken to the shelter.
• Facilitate the adoption of unwanted animals to acceptable individuals or families; conduct safety assessments of prospective adoptive homes; save adoption records.
• All severely damaged or rabid animals should be put down.
• Examine animal-related crime sites; probe allegations of animal abuse.
• Take care of business details, including answering phones and filing papers.

Standard Work Environment

Working to save animals usually involves being outside. However, Animal Rescuers must be flexible, as their workplaces and conditions may improve or worsen depending on the facility and the animals under their care.

Due to the nature of the profession and the presence of potentially harmful animals and situations, it may be necessary to use protective gear. The situations you may be asked to handle might be distressing and discouraging, so maintaining your composure is essential.

Work Schedule

As an Animal Rescuer, you must be available to work whenever needed, including weekends and holidays. You are expected to be available at all hours of the day and night.

Employers

You might be feeling discouraged about your job search. Animal rescue workers can improve their chances of finding work by using job search portals, inquiring at shelters, requesting referrals from colleagues, and contacting NGOs directly.

Animal Rescuers are generally employed by: 

• Animal Shelters
• Animal Control Agencies
• Not-for-Profit Organisations 
• Non-Governmental-Organizations (NGOs)
• Social Advocacy Organisations

Unions / Professional Organizations

Animal Rescuers serious about furthering their careers or connecting with others in their field should join a professional group or organization, such as International Animal Rescue. Belonging to one or more of these groups will look great on your resume and help you stand out.

Workplace Challenges

• Maintaining a firm and easy ground while dealing with angry and unpleasant people
• Exposure to dangerous situations since there are chances of animals being rabid, stressed and on guard
• The need to stay safe from exposure to infections, diseases, or even other contaminants like gases and odours
• Need for patience since paid positions take years to attain
• Accepting criticism and staying calm when tackling stressful situations

Suggested Work Experience

To work in animal rescue, an internship is not required. Paid or unpaid job experience with animals is helpful and shows potential employers your dedication to the field.

To acquire work experience working with animals, you can either do your search or get in touch with a local rescue group or shelter.

Enrol in volunteer programs to gain practical experience if you want to work for a non-profit or animal rescue organization. As a volunteer, you can gain access to the field and connect with other experts by joining the network of animal shelter groups. You can get your feet wet by doing little jobs like walking other people’s dogs, grooming their pets, and assisting them with play and exercise.

Get vaccinated against tetanus to ensure your health and fitness.

Recommended Qualifications

In most cases, a Bachelor’s Degree is not required for employment as an Animal Rescuer.

Biology, physics, and chemistry from high school or their equivalents should be sufficient. Suppose you want to learn the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed as an Animal Rescuer. In that case, you can enrol in specialised courses and programs.

A background in animal care and welfare, animal management, or animal science is helpful for a career as an Animal Rescuer but not required.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Certification as an Animal Rescuer validates the knowledge and abilities acquired via practice, study, and successful test completion. If you get it from a credible and neutral source, it will set you apart in the job market, boost your earnings by as much as 18 per cent, open doors to better positions, and even let you strike out on your own as a consultant. A Code of Ethics is integral to any credible certification program that safeguards the public interest.

Aspiring Animal Rescuers typically require occupational licenses, which can be obtained through various government agencies. Common prerequisites include a certain degree of education, work experience, training, the successful conclusion of an internship or apprenticeship, and successful completion of an examination.

Animal Rescuers may need to use their vehicles for rescue missions, so having a driver’s license is a prerequisite.

Projected Career Map

A bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or animal behaviour is helpful but not required. Studies in wildlife, marine biology, veterinary medicine, and the care and handling of exotic animals are also available. You might be able to land the position of Animal Shelter Manager with a couple of years of relevant experience and an associate degree.

Animal Saviours interested in a career change to that of a Veterinarian or Veterinary Assistant might do it by devoting themselves to study for an additional three to five years.

Job Prospects

Prospective Animal Rescuers should have experience caring for animals, education relevant to the field, and relevant volunteer experience.

Beneficial Professional Development

An active Animal Rescuer can benefit from continuing professional development (CPD) in several ways. These include work-based learning, professional activities, formal education, and self-directed learning. No matter your age, profession, or current expertise, you can always learn something new with this method.

To acquire the necessary expertise in animal training and animal behaviour, certain educational institutions provide courses and credentials. Animal rescue workers have access to ongoing training from industry professionals.

On-the-job training is something that most companies offer to their employees.

Conclusion

A job as an Animal Rescuer would be rewarding for you and the animals you save if you want to work extensively and profoundly for animal welfare and help improve the world for all the fluffs.

Advice from the Wise

Get to know pet owners by participating in workshops and gatherings. Keeping in touch with people in positions of authority is crucial to advancing your efforts in animal welfare.

Explore Also: How to Become an Animal Control Worker?