Careers at the Dog Pound

Hundreds of animal shelters operate across the United States, filled with dogs and cats waiting to be adopted. If you love animals, a career at a pound or shelter could be a good way to go. From veterinarian to shelter attendant, it takes a whole team of professionals to keep an animal shelter running smoothly. Here are some of the careers available at a dog pound or shelter.

  1. Veterinarian

    • A shelter veterinarian deals with a wide variety of animal conditions every day.

      Being an animal doctor requires a lot of education and possibly student loans, but it's a rewarding job. A shelter veterinarian treats the animals at the shelter for whatever illnesses or injuries they contract. They perform surgery, write prescriptions, and diagnose illnesses. To become a vet, you'll need to complete an undergraduate degree, usually in science, then attend four years of veterinary school.

    Veterinary Technician

    • Veterinary technicians, or vet techs, are similar to medical technicians or dental assistants. They assist veterinarians in taking care of animal patients, and execute some duties themselves. Vet techs process radiographs, administer tests, medications and anathesia, and maintain treatment records. A large dog pound may employ several technicians. To become one, you'll need to graduate from a vet tech program. This is usually a two-year certification or associate's degree.

    Animal Shelter Attendent

    • Attendants do the brunt of the work at a dog pound -- they feed, water, bathe, walk and clean up after the dogs. They also keep records of the animals, including tests, surgeries and treatments. Animal shelter attendants also introduce dogs to prospective adopters and provide information about owning a dog. Training for this position is on the job, and many paid attendants start out as volunteers.

    Groomer

    • Groomers specialize in maintaining dogs' appearance and coat health. You can learn to be a groomer at a pet supply store, or by apprenticing for another groomer. Groomers who work in dog pounds usually help create a clean, safe environment for the dogs. They sterilize equipment to prevent the spread of disease, and they are often the first to notice health problems that require veterinary attention.

    Animal Trainer/Behaviorist

    • There is a definite need for animal trainers at shelters. Since many shelter dogs come from unhealthy environments where they receive little to no socialization, they need significant obedience training before they can be adopted. Animal trainers work with dogs on their behavior around humans and other dogs. A good trainer understands animal psychology and can communicate with dogs in a way they understand.