Before you apply to work in a pet care facility, whether it be boarding and grooming, a veterinary hospital, or even an animal shelter, it is important to know that you're not just signing up to play with puppies all day. You will want to be aware of the little details and challenges that a person in the animal care field encounters day in and day out. A job in the field of pet care is extremely rewarding, but it's always good to know what you're getting into.
1) You need to be patient.
Animals don't speak English. They won't be able to tell you if they're hurt or sick or uncomfortable. You have to do your best and take the time to read them in order to help them.
2) The hair is endless.
Ever have that feeling when you have a hair in your eye and can't get it out? You'll eventually sort of get used to it.
3) There is no room to be selfish.
Your sole purpose for coming in to work is for the well being of other creatures. You are providing a service to the pet that the owners can not. If you're working in a shelter, you are basically the only caretakers the animal has. You won't be able to call in sick every other day, and no-call-no-shows are definitely never an option.
4) You will probably get poop on you.
Its just part of the routine! Make sure you don't wear nice shoes to work.
5) You will meet some crappy owners.
There are TONS of people who don't treat their pets the way they should. Unfortunately, when a pet comes in to your clinic/kennel/grooming facility, there isn't much you can do or say to those owners. Technically, they are "seeking help" for the pet.. even if it isn't enough. You have to do as much as you can to help, and try to kindly convince the owners to take more responsibility. If you're working in a shelter you'll see the worst of it, as you take in abandoned or malnourished pets.
6) You probably won't get off on the holidays.
Animals can't control when they get sick. Or when their owners go out of town, and need someone to look after them in the kennel. If they don't have owners, they need to be fed and let outside at the shelter on Christmas. Don't worry, you will still have time for family get-togethers!
7) You will get attached.
You might end up with a house full of animals because you'll see a ton of them that need homes, and if you can manage another fur baby, you're going to take it in.
8) You will fall in love with pets you can't keep/help.
Eventually there will be a limit to the amount of animals you can fit in your house. Or maybe you meet a pet that can't mix with other animals. You might have a patient that is just getting too old or sick. In animal care, the unfortunate truth is that you are bound to meet and fall in love with animals that you will have to say goodbye to.
9) You will make a difference.
No matter what type of job you have in animal care, you will make a difference in those animals' lives. You might be able to save a life. You might step in for the owners while they are away. You might even be that animal's whole life. Just know that the animals you take care of might completely depend on you, and you have the ability to make a positive impact on them.
