An animal rescuer helps abused, injured or abandoned animals. Also known as wildlife rehabilitators or animal control officers, they work in animal shelters, wildlife refuges, or animal rescue organizations. Their responsibilities include:
- Caring for the animals’ daily needs
- Assessing their health
- Arranging veterinary care
- Finding them new homes
To become an animal rescuer, one must have relevant education, animal handling experience, good interpersonal and communication skills, and a strong understanding of animal behavior and welfare.
Career Path and Education
Those interested in a career as an animal rescuer could study biology, zoology, or veterinary medicine. Good interpersonal, communication, customer service, and time management skills are crucial. A thorough understanding of animal behavior is also essential, as are problem-solving skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
While veterinarians represent one of the highest-paying animal careers, there are many other roles in animal shelters that are important and rewarding. Additionally, the career of an animal rescuer is expected to grow significantly, offering new job opportunities.
Salary and Job Opportunities
Animal rescuers make an average of $14.61 an hour, which amounts to $30,395 a year. From 2018 to 2028, the career is projected to grow by 28% and produce 101,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
An animal rescuer is a dedicated individual committed to saving and rehabilitating animals. Their work often includes advocating for stronger animal rights laws and educating the public on proper pet care.
Animal rescuers are vital in providing care for pets abandoned by their owners, often going above and beyond to find them new, loving homes. Despite the emotional challenges, the joy of seeing an animal recover and thrive provides immense satisfaction.
Related Animal Care Careers
There are various animal care professions, such as:
- Veterinary Technicians
- Zookeepers
- Wildlife Technicians
These roles also include providing care, monitoring health, and educating visitors. The competition for these positions can be high, and the median salary for animal care workers is around $23,000 per year. Other roles in the field include humane investigators, humane educators, and shelter managers.
Many career opportunities exist for those interested in working with animals. Here are some examples:
- Pet Sitters
- Animal Trainers
- Aquarists
- Biologists
- Aviculturists
These professionals may also respond to complaints about animal cruelty and enforce laws. For those with a passion for marine life, becoming a marine biologist or a marine mammalogist offers opportunities to study and protect oceanic creatures.