As some of you probably know from my posts, I worked in a zoo, then moved to an aquarium and also work with wolves down south, but it's all getting a bit much wi a degree, 2 kids, 2 dogs and a cat!

Next year I'm doing a masters at Nottingham, so it'll involve a lot of travel, so was thinking of getting a part time role nearer to home, just by chance I saw an advert for a welfare officer at a well known rescue (not RSPCA btw - I think I'd be mobbed it if was!) and applied, and I GOT IT!!! I'm so chuffed, better hours, better pay and a real feel good role (much as I love zoos, and want to work with wolves in the long run, I fancy a change)

So yes, this I'd really a thread about me gloating, but I really chuffed, so thought I would share

That's brilliant news. Well done you!

Delighted for you. Good luck in your Master's too.

well done very happy for you

Great news!

I am really chuffed for you. Well done you. Hope you are celebrating tonight! Which aquarium did you work at? x

thanks guys. Ava's grany - I'd rather not name it, but its in hull (its not hard to work out!)

Omg hubby was offered a transfer to that one but turned it down for some reason!!!!

Is a fab place to work, but it's quite a way from home, so figured I'd have a look around for closer options. Is your hubby an aquarist?

Yes he is, used to look after seals, sea-lions, penguins too.

Congratulations.
Now give me some tips on how to get a job in animal care. Can't find one anywhere!

I have the same problem. I always wanted to work with animals, mainly big cats but there isn't any jobs going at all in animal care

Ooh how exciting. I did some work experience with penguins and sea lions, they were great fun, although penguins were a bit meaner than I was expecting!

I'm looking more for working with dogs. Really want to start an apprenticeship course on Dog Grooming. Can't afford actual classes so always on the look out for working towards experience in an actual groomers.

Heck I would love to work in kennels too.

At the moment I'm looking at my local shelter for Volunteering. Need to sort that out.

Work experience, for free. I got my first zoo keeping job via work exp, and it soon snow balled from there. You also really need to be willing to move, as the jobs are never where you are!

The market is saturated with people wanting to work with animals, my degree alone is throwing out 30 students every year, at my uni there are around 12 different degrees that are animal related, times that my the hundreds of unis and colleges that offer similar course numbers and you've got an awful lot of grads around.

Stacey- where do you live? If you are Kent way there is a great big cat centre that's not open to the public but does sometimes take work experience people.

BIB Problem for me is I can't drive and my eyesight is too poor to get a drivers license now
Hmm there is the Yorkshire Wildlife park within public transport distance.

Ywp are great, they take on volunteers a lot. Where are you? Dogs trust in Leeds take people on a lot, if that's not to far.

The driving licence thing may be difficult, lots of jobs require it, but there are always ways around it if you are willing to put the effort in, which I'm sure you are.

If I get a career working with animals I will certainly put the effort in.

Leeds is a little too far for me. I live in Doncaster. And being on JSA I don't have a lot of money to spend in public transport.

YWP is just about in walking distance for me. (about 1-2 hours walk)

I volunteered at a kennels, Bristol Zoo, PDSA and The barn Owl Centre. I've also been to Africa to do Animal Conservation. I been at college for 4 years studying animal management. I can't get into uni because I don't have Maths, I suck at Maths. Plus I'm not really the uni sort.
But getting paid work with animals is very hard as there isn't any. There was one in a pet shop which I have applied for. I'm still waiting to hear from them, but the problem is that I don't have any reptile experience which is what I need to help me get the job

Yeah I've heard of the big cat centre in Kent but unfortunately I don't live in or anywhere near Kent
I don't drive but I'm learning to.
I need money to be able to move. I'm finding it hard just to get a Sales Assistant job let alone an animal care job.

I'm 21 and I feel like I'm missing out
How old are you?

That's fair enough, could you try Doncaster college? They have animals iirc and may need volunteers over summer when the students are away. Also mayflower rescue are part of the blue cross (or associated with them) and they take people too.

Have you done a degree or hnd or similar? You maybe able to get funding for a course if not?

Yes they can give quite a nasty bite. My daughter who would have been about 3 at the time used to love spending time (behind bars) talking to the sea-lions.

I'm 30, a late student

It is hard, but once it clicks you'll be away. I'd keep volunteering one day a week somewhere, even if you have to work elsewhere in the mean time. Maybe somewhere like Bristol where you've already been, then when the seasonal ranger jobs come up you'll be in with a first shout.

Mayflower is actually the rescue I'm going to apply to Volunteer for.
I need to speak to my jsa advisor about doing a college course. I don't think I'm allowed a full time course whilst signing on. Otherwise I would be straight in there. Also I think they send you out to do practical away from the college so no animals there.

Sadly I never got a degree involving animal care. My life has been sort of awkward for that. Went into the family business working 70 plus hours then got bad depression which lasted a long time. I did do some Volunteering at a Children's zoo a long long time ago. Don't know if it even exists now though. My life has just been sucky so far.

No you'd not get Jsa but you'd get student finance or higher education loans, which might work out at a similar level as Jsa, mine did.

It'll work out

Problem is, I'm no longer living in Bristol, I'm now in Gloucester, it's not far from Bristol I know but I would have to get public transport which is 2 buses and a train, so it would take me just over an hour to get there.
Yeah I'm planning on going back to the barn owl centre. I had to stop volunteering there because I got a paid job, however it was only temp over Christmas. I asked the centre if I could continue, they said they do want me back but they are busy with finance things at the moment.