Career Opportunities

A number of career options are available to students with background in small companion animals, including the following:

Academia

• Biology
• The Agricultural Sciences
  
• Science
• Health and Medicine

Animal Behavior

• Applied Animal Behavior
• Trainers

Government and Policymaking

• Regulation
• Inspection
• Animal Welfare Officer

Health

• Veterinary Technician
• Veterinarian
• Rehabilitation Therapy

Communications

• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Catalogs
• Public Relations

Kennels

• Boarding
• Breeding
• Training

Laboratories

• Laboratory Animal Technician or Manager
• American Association for Lab Animal Science

Pet Food Industry

• Food or Treat Ingredient Supplier

• Research and Development
• Quality Assurance
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Consulting
  

Pharmaceuticals

• Sales
• Research and Development
• Public Relations
• Consulting
  

Retail

• Pet Products Buyer
• Major Retail Chains (e.g. WalMart, Target)
• Specialty Stores (e.g. PetSmart)
• Sales
• Owner/Operator
• Consulting
  

Pet Services

• Pet Sitters
• Pet Groomers
• Day Care
• Dog Walkers
• Grooming
  

Supplies and Manufacturing

• Toys
• Supplies
• Accessories

Service and Therapy Animals

• Therapy Animals

• Working Dog Industry
• Contraband / Drug sniffing dogs
• Military Dogs
• Police Dogs
• Search and Rescue
• Service Dogs for the blind, disabled, and hearing impaired

Zoos and Aquariums

• Behaviorist
• Nutritionist
• Keepers and Caretakers
• Public Relations