Recent graduate seeking work with animals

[RosieBless]

Hello

I recently graduated with a 2:1 in an Animal behaviour and welfare degree. Since the end of my course I have been subjecting myself to the hell that is 0 hours contracts with catering and hospitality companies, while engaging in an ongoing quest for an actual real life paying job that involved interracting with animals. Alas, there seems to be few around that I am not either overqualified for and voluntary or under-qualified for.

As much as I love animals after spending 16 years of my life and ?27,000 to get to this point, I would sure love to be paid at least minimum wage.

The use of the Dulwich forum is a long shot but I never underestimate the value of a grape-vine. Does anyone know of any jobs going involved in any sector of animal care or husbandry, no matter the pay. I do not have a car but do have an oyster card and an insatiable desire to be doing something with my life.

I am not picky.

dog-grooming, training companies or individuals I could gain experience with, rescue centres, cleaning up crap in kennels, work with wildlife, carrying around your dog strapped to my body like a baby etc.

All the best

Rosie B

[BigDan]

story of the last year of my life. first class honours in Animal sciences and find myself doing a selection of different jobs while having no luck finding the type of welfare based role I'm looking for in London. internships and voluntary seem to be the way to go to gain the experience that is needed.

wish you luck

dan

[gedwina]

I worked for Bristol Zoo for a few years (many years ago) and it is hard to get into this type of work - the way I managed it was to volunteer for a while and apply for every and any job going - good luck.

London zoo has a very good volunteer programme, so does the horniman and I would also look at the city zoos,

[LJC56]

Have you looked at the City Farms? They often offer sessional work, which could dovetail in with your job and give you some experience and contact with animals. Spittalfields has a rolling programme of recruitment.

[steveo]

Celia Hammond, Battersea dog's home, Dulwich stables, Horniman llama farm, Surrey Docks farm, Richmond Park.

Anything's better than working with children

[IlonaM]

Also have a look at the Mayhew - north London near Kensal Rise, but worth a look. I used to volunteer there years ago.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Start a dog creche aka doggy day care. People pay crazy money for that and when you're self-employed you can use your money in a more flexible way.

[IlonaM]

Just remembered that a colleague's husband used to train guide dogs for the blind. Might be worth looking at RNIB and similar service dog/animal charities etc.

[wulfhound]

Just happened to see this on twitter:

@SurreyDocksFarm

"We have a fantastic opportunity for an 18 mnth Livestock Apprenticeship. Full details here: http://www.surreydocksfarm.org.uk/vacancies/ "

Also worth contacting Capel Manor who run the farm in Crystal Palace park - and think about the self employment route too, as suggested above. Can probably do so informally for a couple of months without incurring any grief.

[beansprout]

Have you tried "The Lady" - animal jobs not in London usually dove tail with some element of care or housekeeping, au pair etc.. Certainly worth a look.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Or Horse & Hound.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

If you havent already been here, some general info plus where to look for vacancies.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/animal-technician

[uncleglen]

Pets at Home, Police Dog training unit if you are looking for a serious career?

[IlonaM]

Hi Rosie,

Just saw this advertised on Charity Job: Freedom Project Assistant with Dog's Trust:

https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/freedom-project-assistant/457917?tsId=3&utm_source=jobalert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=topjob&utm_campaign=daily

Salary Competitive

Location South East

Job Type Permanent

Category Advice, Information , Project Management

Sectors : Animal

Job Reference : FPEA

Job Description

Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK with a nationwide network of rehoming centres and charity shops. Last year Dogs Trust centres cared for over 17,000 dogs; we never put a healthy dog down.

Are you interested in a varied and challenging role that will help Dogs Trust expand the Freedom Project into a new area?

Dogs Trust Freedom Project is a pet fostering service for anyone fleeing domestic abuse. However, the majority of our referrals come from women fleeing domestic abuse via women-only services. The service places dogs into volunteer foster homes on a temporary basis until their owners are able to have them back. We also take referrals for cats and arrange care for them with Cats Protection. The Freedom Project has been running successfully in the Greater London area since June 2004 and in Yorkshire since July 2005 - to date we have helped over 1,400 pets.

The Role:

We are looking to recruit a motivated and capable Project Assistant to support our service expansion. The role involves assessing and placing dogs onto the project, providing advice and support to our volunteer foster carers and working with other stakeholders; such as pet owners, domestic violence support services and Cats Protection. Whilst there is some dog handling involved, the role includes extensive contact with people as well as daily admin and driving.

Criteria:

We are looking for someone with good all-round experience of assessing and handling dogs, giving advice on pet care and having worked in a public facing role. Ideally, a confident self-starter who has had some experience of working with volunteers and home visiting. A large part of this role will involve transporting dogs across Essex, Greater London and other Home Counties, so candidates should have a full, clean, manual UK driving licence and experience of driving as part of a previous role.

A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and an understanding of the problems experienced by families fleeing domestic violence with pets are also required. Experience of working in the animal welfare sector and of being able to provide basic dog training & behaviour advice would be highly desirable.

Due to the nature of this role, this post is for women only and is exempt under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

Further details on the job can be found below in the attached document.

To Apply:

To apply please send your CV and covering letter explaining your interest in and suitability for the role to Charlotte Warmington by clicking "Apply Now", or by post to Charlotte Warmington, HR Department, Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7RQ

Closing Date: Tuesday 19th July 2016 Interview Dates: Thurs 4th & Fri 5th Aug 2016

[rendelharris]

http://www.cv-library.co.uk/job/204288779/Animal-Care-Assistants-Required-Apply-Today?s=100609

[RosieBless]

Everyone thanks so much for your advice and help. I appreciate your support immensely, missed these messages for a while due to being new to using the forum.

Really overwhelmed with all the amazing advice and help.

[RosieBless]

Not sure how you get into police dog training

[RosieBless]

I too had started to think a large period of unpaid work may be the only way in haha

[RosieBless]

The dogs trust position sounds ideal but I worry it would involve a lot of travel which is unfortunately difficult de to my lack of a car and such. However positions that would be possible with an Oyster card would be ideal.

His is all amazing stuff.

[MrsR]

There is a dog grooming shop opening soon at holly bush terrace crystal palace. They are inviting people to apply. I will try to post the telephone number. Good luck

[RosieBless]

That sounds fantastic thank you

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

It sounds as though the Dogs Trust position needs you to have a current, manual licence, not your own vehicle. I'm sure they provide the van.

[siousxiesue]

Dog's Trust have their own fleet of vans to transport the dogs Rosie. I've fostered for Freedom Project and it's a wonderful scheme

RosieBless Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The dogs trust position sounds ideal but I worry

> it would involve a lot of travel which is

> unfortunately difficult de to my lack of a car and

> such. However positions that would be possible

> with an Oyster card would be ideal.

> His is all amazing stuff.

[dirac]

Good luck!! If you weren't constrained to london there would be a few more opportunities I guess. Down the southwest there are quite a few 'petting farms' and I worked at one for a few years. It was really fun, rewarding and I loved being outdoors; but the pay was just way too low so couldn't carry on with it.

[uncleglen]

You would need to join the police force first of all then apply