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Animal Welfare

Invincible_summerInvincible_summer Heavy Metal DhammaWe(s)t coast, Canada Veteran
edited April 2012 in General Banter
As some of you may know, I've been kind of in a quarter-life/post-university existential crisis where I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Since I'm also unemployed I've been volunteering to build skills/keep myself busy/check out different fields of work. I've been volunteering at a no-kill animal shelter recently, just walking dogs once or twice a week. But I get to see the workings of the shelter and I find it pretty fascinating. I have been toying with the idea of working in animal welfare, possibly even at the shelter I volunteer at. Being a vegetarian and sometimes-vegan, I love animals. I also want to be able to work to match strays/abandoned animals with caring owners, to rescue animals from abusive owners, etc. I guess almost like social work for dogs and cats.

My gf is friends with one of the office staff at the shelter and so I asked her how she got a job there, and she said she volunteered for a few years and eventually a position opened up. That particular shelter is quite small too, so it's even harder to work there. Evidently it's not an easy field to break into.

There's a few SPCA branches around here, but I'm not so sure about them. On their website, they seem to have a pretty decent volunteer training program, but I've read bad things about the SPCA shelters; some have a bad rep for euthanizing animals that didn't need to be, treating volunteers poorly, not taking criticism/complaints seriously, etc. They've garnered a reputation for being more "animal control" than animal welfare. But it may be my only real chance at getting experience with setting up adoptions/fostering/learning about animals, as the shelter I volunteer at is small and doesn't really allow volunteers to do more than clean rabbit cages and walk dogs.


Does anyone have any experience in this line of work? Is it worth the time/effort to pursue? Or am I sort of romanticizing the job?

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    I investigated this line of work, some time ago...
    this is what I learnt:

    You need nerves of steel, because some cases you'll come across will defy belief...neglect, cruelty and just sheer wanton mindlessness.
    And you'll also have to learn how to euthanize an animal.
    RSPCA inspectors here in the UK, undergo a visit to an abattoir as a compulsory part of their training, and have to put a cow to sleep by firing a bullet through its head.
    It's unpleasant, unpalatable and very distressing.
    But you have to learn to do it.
    You also have to have the patience of a saint, because you can't show anger or intolerance of those whom you confront.
    You have to be dedicated, persistent and develop a thick skin.
    You have to be prepared to work in all kinds of conditions, all seasons, day or night.
    And not all animals are small, cute furry and cuddly.
    some are vicious, dangerous, unmanageable and frankly, a complete turn-off.

    I could not, and still cannot, tick all of those boxes.

    If you think you can, go for it. :)
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    I worked at an animal shelter once and it was a great job. It doesn't really pay that well compared to other jobs because you are usually working for a non-profit organization but it's a very rewarding job helping all the critters. :) . The best paying jobs at shelters are either veterinarians or veterinary technicians. Upper management people also get paid better but that usually requires some kind of business administration skills as a shelter is normally run like a business. There are basically various office desk jobs, medical care for animal jobs and cage cleaner jobs at these shelters. Federica's description sounds like an animal control officer job, like an "animal police officer" but there are other jobs too, which don't involve actually encountering the people that are cruel to the animals, etc. But of course, you will probably encounter animals that are victims of cruelty. I would say it's definitely a rewarding job and worth looking into just as long as you don't mind not getting rich, because that definitely won't happen. :)
  • Invincible_summerInvincible_summer Heavy Metal Dhamma We(s)t coast, Canada Veteran
    I investigated this line of work, some time ago...
    this is what I learnt:

    You need nerves of steel, because some cases you'll come across will defy belief...neglect, cruelty and just sheer wanton mindlessness.
    And you'll also have to learn how to euthanize an animal.
    RSPCA inspectors here in the UK, undergo a visit to an abattoir as a compulsory part of their training, and have to put a cow to sleep by firing a bullet through its head.
    It's unpleasant, unpalatable and very distressing.
    But you have to learn to do it.
    You also have to have the patience of a saint, because you can't show anger or intolerance of those whom you confront.
    You have to be dedicated, persistent and develop a thick skin.
    You have to be prepared to work in all kinds of conditions, all seasons, day or night.
    And not all animals are small, cute furry and cuddly.
    some are vicious, dangerous, unmanageable and frankly, a complete turn-off.

    I could not, and still cannot, tick all of those boxes.

    If you think you can, go for it. :)
    Yeah I've definitely thought about these things... and actually volunteering at the shelter I've already met some pretty nasty dogs and cats (one beagle that the no-kill shelter actually recommended to be euthanized later, because it attacked a family in its sleep!! And it wasn't the first time it did that!). Don't worry - I'm not just in it for the cute puppies and kittens :p

    I am worried about the euthanizing part though, which I'm not sure I agree with. Again, there are some no-kill shelters around, but from what I understand, it's hard to get a job at these places.

    I'm curious, @federica, how far did you go in your investigation into this field? Did you actually try it? Or did you go in a similar direction? Or not at all?
    I worked at an animal shelter once and it was a great job. It doesn't really pay that well compared to other jobs because you are usually working for a non-profit organization but it's a very rewarding job helping all the critters. :) . The best paying jobs at shelters are either veterinarians or veterinary technicians. Upper management people also get paid better but that usually requires some kind of business administration skills as a shelter is normally run like a business. There are basically various office desk jobs, medical care for animal jobs and cage cleaner jobs at these shelters. Federica's description sounds like an animal control officer job, like an "animal police officer" but there are other jobs too, which don't involve actually encountering the people that are cruel to the animals, etc. But of course, you will probably encounter animals that are victims of cruelty. I would say it's definitely a rewarding job and worth looking into just as long as you don't mind not getting rich, because that definitely won't happen. :)
    I'm not too worried about making tons of money (although of course it would be nice), but what kind of wages are we talking about, if you don't mind me asking? You don't have to answer if you don't like my question haha.

    @seeker242 What sort of experience did you need to work at a shelter? What position did you have? I appreciate your answer, as it shows a totally different side to the work from federica's.

    Vet work is out of the picture for me - it would require me to go through another 5+ years of university study, and there's only one or two vet programs in the country. It's not cheap either.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    I made it as far as the second, more intense interview.
    the first one was pleasant, and more a way of sorting the wheat from the chaff, shall we say. I do know two of the applicants didn't make it past first post because one young lady had too "fluffy" and romanticised idea of wht the job would entail...and the second young man was a vegan animal-rights activist with all the charm of a three-day-old piece of cod....

    the second interview really spelled out the nitty-gritty of the job.
    with slides and a video of what the job entailed.
    Remember this was a few years back, before television was broadcasting fly-on-the-wall drama-documentaries as they do now...
    so the material came as a bit of a shock.
    At the end of the day, four more applicants dropped out. Including me.
    but there was no shame in it.
  • Invincible_summerInvincible_summer Heavy Metal Dhamma We(s)t coast, Canada Veteran
    I made it as far as the second, more intense interview.
    the first one was pleasant, and more a way of sorting the wheat from the chaff, shall we say. I do know two of the applicants didn't make it past first post because one young lady had too "fluffy" and romanticised idea of wht the job would entail...and the second young man was a vegan animal-rights activist with all the charm of a three-day-old piece of cod....

    the second interview really spelled out the nitty-gritty of the job.
    with slides and a video of what the job entailed.
    Remember this was a few years back, before television was broadcasting fly-on-the-wall drama-documentaries as they do now...
    so the material came as a bit of a shock.
    At the end of the day, four more applicants dropped out. Including me.
    but there was no shame in it.
    Thanks for sharing, @federica. Do you still work with animals? I think I remember you mentioning in a post that you are/were working in the realm of animal behaviour?
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    I worked at an animal shelter once and it was a great job. It doesn't really pay that well compared to other jobs because you are usually working for a non-profit organization but it's a very rewarding job helping all the critters. :) . The best paying jobs at shelters are either veterinarians or veterinary technicians. Upper management people also get paid better but that usually requires some kind of business administration skills as a shelter is normally run like a business. There are basically various office desk jobs, medical care for animal jobs and cage cleaner jobs at these shelters. Federica's description sounds like an animal control officer job, like an "animal police officer" but there are other jobs too, which don't involve actually encountering the people that are cruel to the animals, etc. But of course, you will probably encounter animals that are victims of cruelty. I would say it's definitely a rewarding job and worth looking into just as long as you don't mind not getting rich, because that definitely won't happen. :)
    I'm not too worried about making tons of money (although of course it would be nice), but what kind of wages are we talking about, if you don't mind me asking? You don't have to answer if you don't like my question haha.

    @seeker242 What sort of experience did you need to work at a shelter? What position did you have? I appreciate your answer, as it shows a totally different side to the work from federica's.

    Vet work is out of the picture for me - it would require me to go through another 5+ years of university study, and there's only one or two vet programs in the country. It's not cheap either.
    I don't recall what I got paid but I know it was low lol, but this was like over 10 years ago so it may be different now. I made more money waiting tables lol. I was basically a volunteer cleaning cages and feeding, etc. A position for employee opened up and I applied for it and got it. Which basically involved cleaning cages, feeding and directing the volunteers. Then I was kind of promoted to helping the vet, almost like a vet assistant kinda, which was better than cleaning cages but I didn't get a raise ha! Being an actual Vet does require a lot more schooling because they are actual doctors. A vet tech however, I have seen full programs that are only 18 months long. So not as much schooling for a vet tech. I have seen that some vet techs can get up to 80k a year, but of course not at a non-profit.

  • I haven't worked specifically in the rescue end of things (unless you count wildlife rescue), but I have worked in veterinary medicine. It can be very rewarding, but not in a financial way. The cold reality is, jobs like you describe pay a pittance at best. If you're happy living on next to nothing, then it's probably a great line of work. It also has essentially nowhere to go. It's not like you're likely to become president of a national network of shelters. Once you get to the point of running a local shelter, that's pretty much the executive suite.
  • Invincible_summerInvincible_summer Heavy Metal Dhamma We(s)t coast, Canada Veteran
    edited April 2012
    Thanks for the replies @seeker242 and @Mountains. It's given me quite a bit of food for thought. Perhaps I need to do a bit more market research and talk to more people in the field right now.

    I mean, I'm not looking to make it rich, but when you (@Mountains) say "living on next to nothing," that's a bit disconcerting :p especially since I live in the most expensive city in Canada.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    Thanks for sharing, @federica. Do you still work with animals? I think I remember you mentioning in a post that you are/were working in the realm of animal behaviour?
    Yes, I'm a dog behaviourist, and have been for around 20 years.
    I have a long and vested interest in canine care.

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