Career Advice for an Animal Handler

Working as an Animal Handler, you will be responsible for the care, welfare, and management of animals in captivity.

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How to Become an Animal Handler

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an Animal Handler

Should you wish to work as an Animal Handler you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Animal Handler

  • GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in subjects like biology, animal care, or zoology.
  • A Level qualifications or a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management or a related field.
  • Experience working with animals through volunteering or part-time jobs can also be beneficial.

Key Responsibilities for an Animal Handler

  • Feeding, grooming, and providing general care for animals.
  • Monitoring and maintaining the health and well-being of animals.
  • Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures and habitats.
  • Assisting with animal training and enrichment activities.
  • Observing and reporting any changes in animal behavior or health.
  • Educating visitors about the animals and their conservation needs.
  • Following strict health and safety protocols to ensure the welfare of both animals and handlers.

What to expect as an Animal Handler

As an Animal Handler in the UK, you can find employment opportunities in various settings such as zoos, wildlife parks, animal sanctuaries, veterinary clinics, and research institutions.

Recommended Animal Handler Jobs

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How to get Animal Handler Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Animal Handler job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Animal Handler application. If you have not held an Animal Handler position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Animal Handler role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Animal Handler CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Animal Handler application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Animal Handler in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Animal Handler 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Animal Handler and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Animal Handler experience.

How to get Animal Handler Experience

What does it take to be an Animal Handler? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Animal Handler jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Animal Handler through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Animal Handler Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Animal Handler part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Animal Handler or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Animal Handler freelance work

If you have impressive Animal Handler qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.