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Stress Awareness Month 2024

Stress is an unavoidable factor in day-to-day life and we can often find ourselves stuck in ‘fight or flight’ even if we can’t see why; stress can come from our work or our personal life, affecting our mental and emotional states and even leading to physical issues if not managed. April is Stress Awareness Month and this year’s theme is #LittleByLittle which is the idea that small, consistent, positive actions each day can have a big impact on our stress levels and overall wellbeing! When we make change #LittleByLittle we make manageable adjustments to our daily routine that leave us feeling less stressed and prioritise our mental health.

So this month, we’ve taken inspiration from the Stress Management Society One Day at a Time Wellness Challenge and come up with our own suggestions for small actions you can do each day this month to reduce your stress #LittleByLittle. Follow along each day, or come up with your own challenges to reduce your stress; we’d love to see if you’ve taken part so make sure to tag us on social media or share your achievements with your peers and tutors! If you’d like a downloadable version of the challenge, we’ve created a Stress Awareness Month Resources Pack which has all of the challenges, and the recipes, in it!

Day 1 – Self-care

We’re kicking off Stress Awareness month with some self-care to get us into the right mindset and start lowering our stress straight away! Self-care looks different for every person and you can choose what works best for you but if you’re stuck for ideas, why not make your favourite drink (we’re partial to a good cup of tea) and apply a face mask to relax your body and destress your mind!

Day 2 – Post an affirmation

It’s important to support and celebrate ourselves and invest in our self-belief; that’s why today we want you to grab a Post-It note or a piece of paper and write down a personal affirmation to carry through the rest of the month. Here’s some examples if you’re not sure what to put:

  • I am strong and resilient
  • I am capable and confident
  • I am enough just as I am
  • I am doing my best and that is enough

Then put your affirmation in a place that you’ll see, and read, every day so you can really embrace and internalise the positivity!

Day 3 – Take a minute to breathe

Sometimes, life can be so chaotic that we forget to take a moment to just breathe and do nothing else. This is your sign, and permission, to do just that! Take a minute to breathe and clear your mind; perhaps try some box-breathing techniques or find a calming video to centre yourself. We’ll be reposting some videos we made last year for Stress Awareness Month that coach you through a minute of breathing over on our Instagram @cawinfo so if you need a guide, head over that way!

Day 4 – Listen to a song that makes you happy!

Music is an incredibly powerful tool for stress relief and the right song can release so much dopamine that your bad mood will be gone in a flash! Pick one of your favourite songs, something happy and inspiring, and take a few moments to have a listen and let yourself enjoy the music (bonus points if you have a little boogie!). If you’re looking for some new music inspiration, why not try one of these?

  • Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
  • Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON
  • Permission to Dance – BTS

Day 5 – Plug in a podcast

Podcasts can be a great way to kick back and relax as they give us something to listen to which distracts our mind from all the things we’re stressing about meaning we can come back to our to do list with a lighter, happier state of mind. If you’ve got a favourite podcast, now is the time to give it a listen. Don’t have a favourite podcast or looking for something new? Why not try one of these:

Day 6 – Eat Well, Feel Great

Food plays an important role in our lives and our wellbeing so it’s important to eat well to destress and increase dopamine. We’ve put together a recipe for you to try yourself, full of colourful vegetables and healthy fuels to get you through the afternoon slump. The best part? It’s completely customisable so you can swap out ingredients for your own favourite carbs and veggies!

You can find the BBQ Rice Bowl recipe, along with a few bonus recipes, in our Stress Awareness Month Recipe Pack here.

Day 7 – Joke of the Day

We’re going light-hearted today with a joke to make you smile… we know it’s a bad joke but that’s the beauty of it! Why not spread some fun today by telling your own joke to a friend or loved one?

Why did the shire horse give the Shetland a glass of water?

Because he was a little horse!

Day 8 – Read and destress

Reading is a great way to destress so today we’re challenging you to grab that book you’ve been meaning to read for AGES and spend at least 30 minutes getting lost in another world! If you’re stuck on what to read, why not ask a friend for their favourite book or the most recent book they’ve read and give it a try! Or, head over to Goodreads and find out what their Best Books of 2024 are so far!

Day 9 – Write down some positivity

Today, your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to write down 1 thing that has gone well recently or 1 thing that has made you happy; it can be something small or big, as long as it’s brought positivity into your life! Write it down and pop it next to your affirmation so you can be reminded of something good every time you look at it!

Day 10 – Animals, animals, animals!

It’s no secret that spending time with animals is a great way to destress; for most of us, just the sight of an animal makes us smile. So, today, we want to embrace that! If you have a pet, take some time today to go and cuddle them, hang out with them or play with them. If you don’t have a pet of your own, why not go on a walk in nature to spot some furry friends or meet up with a friend who has a pet for a double whammy of pet playtime and a catch up! You could even ask friends or family to send across funny pictures of their pets to boost your mood!

Day 11 – Out and about in nature

Getting out in nature is one of the best ways to bring a sense of calm and serenity into your life (which also means destressing!). Take at least 15 minutes today to walk around in nature; it could be your local park, a woodland or even the beach or the mountains if you live close by! Wherever you end up having a wander, make sure to stay off your phone, take off the headphones and really listen to the world around you; you’ll be feeling more chill in no time! Just in case you can’t get out in nature today, we’ll be posting some relaxing nature clips on our Instagram @cawinfo so head over there for your daily dose of nature!

Day 12 – Let’s get creative!

Creative pursuits are a great way to relax your mind after a long day or stressful situation and incorporating some creativity into your daily routine is a quick and easy way to bring yourself that sense of calm and catharsis. Perhaps you can try macrame or pick up some paints! Whatever creative outlet you choose, make sure you dedicate some time to it, with no distractions, today! If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got a poetry prompt for you to try and an example of a poem we wrote as part of our day:

Poetry Prompt: Write a poem about a place that makes you happy

Remember, a poem doesn’t have to rhyme (although it can if you want), it doesn’t have to stick to a set structure if you don’t want it to and it can be as short or as long as you want! Throw out whatever rules you learnt about poetry, this activity is purely a creative outlet and poetry can take whatever shape you want! That being said, if you’d like a structure to help you along your way, why not try three stanzas of four lines each. Another tip, if you’re struggling it to make each stanza a different sense; write about what you can see, what you can hear, what you can feel, what you can smell and what you can taste.

Example Poem:

Yūgen: Tofino by Kathryn Cockrill

Pine-crusted shorelines

surround the Moon’s lit stage,

moment’s away from her magic-

stopped only by the waning sun.

Chase the sunset as it dips,

trunks sliced in two by rays,

searing scarlet that casts

tendrils across my face.

The ocean’s jewels decorate the sand,

adorning the nestled grains,

sapped of colour, yet

they burn like fire.

Shadows dance a Paso doble

as Night asserts control,

the last burning embers of sun

melting into the water to bleed away.

The world wears a silver cape at the magic hour,

we feel it’s pull, calling out,

painted with delicate brushstrokes

across an elusive landscape.

Day 13 – Connect with a friend or family member

Connection is important when it comes to our wellbeing and sometimes we can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day life that we forget about stopping for a moment and making a human connection with someone we love. That’s why we’re challenging you to reach out to a friend or loved one today and have a chat or arrange to meet. It can be five minutes or it can be an hour, but getting that connection and conversation will do wonders for your mental wellbeing!

Day 14 – Detox before bed

It’s time to detox! We’re talking a detox of the digital kind… before you get into bed tonight, set yourself the challenge of stopping use of anything digital at least half an hour before you sleep. That means no phones, no tablets, no TV, nothing that requires electrical charge whatsoever! Instead, try reading a book, writing, practising self-care with some face masks or skincare, whatever floats your boat (as long as that boat is a row boat with no electric engine!). You’ll probably find yourself falling asleep much easier without the digital overload that can often happen from too much time connected to the digital world.

Day 15 – Journal

Journaling is a great way to write down your feelings and thoughts and develop self-awareness without anxiety or fear of judgement. You don’t need to be an amazing crafter to journal, nor do you need a lot of equipment; just grab a blank notebook and a pen and get started! You can, of course, add in pictures, doodles, stickers, whatever takes your fancy really, but you don’t have to in order to journal. All you really need is a way of writing down your feelings and some thoughts and feelings to write down! Getting everything down on paper can be incredibly therapeutic and cathartic and it can take problems that seem really big and overwhelming in your head and make them a lot more manageable! Give it a try today, even if it’s just a paragraph on a piece of paper and who knows, maybe you’ll find a new hobby!

Day 16 – Hydration Station!

Keeping hydrated is so important for our mental health and wellbeing; there’s nothing worse than feeling dehydrated when you’re trying to concentrate or get a task done, especially as it can bring along headaches and brain fog. But it can be easy to forget to hydrate, especially when you’re busy, and we often find ourselves worn down at the end of the day, wondering why we feel so terrible… So today we want you to prioritise your hydration! It’s recommended we drink 2 litres of water per day, but any increase on what you’re already drinking will have a positive effect. In order to get ourselves in the habit, set a reminder every hour today to drink water and make sure you have a hydration station ready to go wherever you’re spending your day; that could mean having a big water bottle filled and ready to go, or even a range of drinks such as water, tea and maybe a juice in your space so you have a choice every time the timer goes off!

Day 17 – A Lunch for your eyes

Taking a couple of extra minutes to put together a healthy and pretty lunch can sometimes make all the difference when it comes to boosting your mood at lunchtime. Why not try a bento box with lots of vibrant fruit and veggies and pinwheel wraps to add some fun to your lunch? You can add whatever you like in the wraps (we went with lettuce, roast chicken, cheese and mayo), then roll them up and slice so you have an aesthetically pleasing (and delicious) lunch! You can find the method for pinwheel wraps, along with a picture of our example, in the Recipe Pack!

Day 18 – Get active

Moving your body is a great way to boost your mood and shake off the stress that’s built up over the day; it doesn’t have to be a big gym session to get those endorphins flowing. If you don’t know what to try, why not have a go at one of these?

  • Go for a brisk walk while listening to some upbeat music
  • Follow a dance workout on YouTube (for some fun, upbeat dance workouts, have a look at The Fitness Marshall)
  • Learn a new activity – why not try your hand at something brand new? It could be anything from badminton to line dancing to yoga!

Day 19 – Dance break!

Following on from embracing moving our bodies, today we want you to take a dance break. When you’re feeling the stress building (or even before!) walk away from your computer or task, put on your favourite song or playlist and spend a few minutes dancing like no one’s watching; this is us giving you Permission to Dance!

Day 20 Prioritise your hobbies

We all have hobbies we enjoy doing but that often fall to the wayside when life gets busy and it can feel tough to get back into them, even if we know they’ll bring us joy. Instead of setting unachievable goals of doing your hobby every day (when there may not be time), we want you to prioritise a favourite hobby for today, for at least half an hour, without the expectation that you have to continue doing said hobby every day. Pick up that knitting, grab the book off your TBR pile, go and play your favourite sport, bake something yummy or even find a new hobby to destress… the possibilities are endless! If you’re craving a new hobby, here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Sign up for a local dance class
  • Take up gardening (April is the perfect month to start planting veggies ready to harvest later in the year)
  • Learn photography – even some phone cameras have professional settings now, so you don’t necessarily need a camera to start taking photos!
  • Find your inner warrior – why not try archery or axe throwing?
  • Breadmaking – learn to make bread from scratch and your house will smell like a bakery, which is another mood booster!

Day 21 – Time for a screen break

Too many screens can be overwhelming and overstimulating and we might not even realise it while we’re stuck in a ‘doom scroll’ on TikTok or reading through comments on Instagram. So today, your challenge is to take a break… that’s it! Throughout the day, find ten minutes to walk away from all screens, including your phone; you could stretch, go for a walk, grab a snack or just have ten minutes chilling out on the sofa, just as long as there’s no screens in sight!

Day 22 – Pay forward the positivity

This challenge might be about your personal wellness but that doesn’t mean we can’t spread the positivity and help someone else at the same time! Spend some time today giving your friends or loved ones genuine, heartfelt compliments out of the blue and make sure they know how much they mean to you! Think about something they’ve done to make you smile recently, a treasured memory you have or just something you love about them as a person and tell them! Here’s some ideas to get you started:

  • You always make me smile and I wanted to thank you for being a positive influence in my life
  • I love the way you always look on the bright side
  • I think you’re incredibly strong and I look up to you
  • Thank you for always being there for me, even when I’ve been having a tough time

Day 23 – Shower Power or Bath Bliss

Ready for some more self-care? Today’s challenge is to make time for an ‘everything’ bath or shower, complete with bubble bath, bath bombs, bath salts or shower bombs (if you’re not a bath person). Whether you make time at the start or end of your day (or have a lunchtime bath session), you’ll feel so much better after a well-deserved soak!

Day 24 – Detox your social media

Are there accounts you follow on any of the social media platforms that are no longer having a positive influence on your life? Do you find yourself unconsciously avoiding a platform because someone you follow on there is bringing you down? It’s time to detox! If they no longer bring you joy: unfollow. Instead, replace them with some positive accounts that boost your mood! Some examples could include @goodnewsdog @good.boy.ollie @goodgoodgoodco @positivenewsuk

Day 25 – Make those plans!

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but have put it off because you don’t have the time? Make those plans today! Maybe you want to walk some alpacas or pet Highland Cows, or you want to learn a new skill but always put it off; book it now (even if it’s way in the future) and start getting excited!

Day 26 – Reset your space

What in your work space or home space makes you happy and what doesn’t? Now is the time to do a reset and make your space work for you! Maybe add a potted plant or a desk buddy or put up some pictures with treasured memories to bring you more joy throughout the day (also, get rid of that clutter that’s been bothering you… you know which clutter we mean…) You’ll feel so much better if the space around you brings you positive vibes!

Day 27 – At one with the animals

We’re excited for this one! Most of us love animals and they often have a way of calming us down, even if we don’t realise it but not everyone has the space or time for a pet. So, instead, why not tune into some wildlife live feeds to watch some adorable creatures go about their day while you go about yours? Here’s a list of some different wildlife live feeds:

  • The Wildlife Trust – The Wildlife Trust has live feeds from all across the UK, including puffins and dolphins!
  • WildlifeKate – here you can find a whole range of live feeds across the UK and some further afield of everything from birds to frogs to squirrels!
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams (there’s some really cute otters and some relaxing moon jellies in the list)
  • Scottish Wildlife Trust – their Falls of Clyde cameras have a huge range of wildlife to watch!

Day 28 – REST!

Do nothing. That’s it, that’s the challenge. Spend the day doing nothing but relaxing. How that looks for you is up to you as long as you’re doing whatever makes you feel good and letting your body have the reset it needs!

Day 29 – What do you love about yourself?

Today we’re going to write down our favourite things about ourselves; big or small, it doesn’t have to be much but we want you to really think about what you love about yourself. Perhaps you love your determination, or you love that you bring joy to others or you love how you’ve overcome a challenge. Whatever it is, write it down, add it next to our affirmation from Day 2 and our 1 thing that’s made us happy from Day 9 and let the mood boost begin!

Day 30 – Reflect

You’ve done it! 30 days of daily wellness challenges in the bag and we’re hoping you’re feeling a little less stressed. Today, we want you to reflect on the past month and decide which wellness activities you want to incorporate into your everyday life; who knows, maybe you’ve already begun including them without realising! Congratulations for completing the challenge as part of Stress Awareness Month!

You can find an incredible range of resources from the Stress Management Society here, including their Little By Little Journal and their Stress Guide along with a whole host of other free resources as part of Stress Awareness Month. You can also take their Individual Stress Test to see how your stress levels are looking; even better, why not take the test at the start and the end of the month to see how the small actions you’ve made across the month are helping to reduce your stress levels!

If you’re a CAW student or staff member struggling with stress, we have a range of wellbeing resources designed to help you, including counselling services, FIKA and Togetherall. You can find out more on our Wellbeing page. You can also find the full Resource Pack for Stress Awareness Month, including the recipes mentioned in this post, here.

Careers Working with Dogs

10 Career Options Working with Dogs

Are you a dog lover and looking to turn your passion into a fulfilling career? If so, you’re in luck! There are a range of opportunities within the veterinary and animal care professions for you to work with our loyal and furry companions.

From helping dogs stay healthy and happy, to training them to be their best selves, there’s a wealth of jobs working with dogs available for every dog enthusiast. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some of the most exciting career options working with dogs:

1. Veterinary Surgeon

If you have a strong interest in animal health and well-being, becoming a veterinary surgeon might be the perfect path for you. As a veterinary surgeon, you’ll diagnose and treat health issues in dogs and other companion animals.

Veterinary surgeons in general practice carry out a wide range of tasks from promoting and maintaining the health of animals through to diagnosing and treating sick and injured animals. As a veterinary surgeon you must be good with both animals and people. You must be empathetic and be able to talk sensitively to owners about the care and treatment of their animals. Once you have completed formal training, you can undertake further learning and professional learning in canine health and behaviour.

Read the Veterinary Surgeon job profile

2. Veterinary Nurse

Veterinary nurses are key members of the veterinary team, and is a fantastic career option for dog lovers. They work alongside vets to provide care and treatment to a variety of animals including dogs, and spend a lot of their time working with dogs and dog owners. Each day you are likely to be involved in a variety of different tasks, from helping a veterinary surgeon in theatre to advising an owner on the most appropriate method of flea control for their pet. In order to train as a veterinary nurse, you have to complete a veterinary nursing qualification approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). You can qualify as a veterinary nurse via a Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship or veterinary nursing degree programme.

Read the Veterinary Nurse job profile

3. Canine Hydrotherapist

Canine hydrotherapists apply hydrotherapy techniques to help dogs recover from injury or to maintain fitness. Treatments are usually carried out for diagnosed conditions or injuries on dogs referred by a veterinary surgeon, although hydrotherapy is also used as an enjoyable form of exercise. As a canine hydrotherapist, you will need to be compassionate, have a strong interest in dogs and relevant experience handling them. You must be able to swim, and it is important to have good observation skills, along with a mind for enquiry and an aptitude for science. Good communication skills are essential, and the ability to work in a team with other professionals.

Read the Canine Hydrotherapist job profile

4. Kennel Worker

Kennel workers care for dogs in kennels or animal rescue centres. You will need to be confident in handling animals and be able to cope with the physical demands of the job, such as cleaning out kennels and walking dogs. Your day-to-day work could include preparing food and feeding, grooming animals, exercising dogs, cleaning out kennels, answering telephone calls and record keeping.

Kennel workers can work with dogs in a variety of different establishments such as boarding establishments, dog rehoming and animal rescue organisations (for example at charities like Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, Wood Green Animal Shelter, Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and more), breeding kennels, assistance dog kennels or other kennels such as hunt or race yards. As you gain more experience and qualifications, you could pursue supervisory and management positions within this setting, for example by becoming a Kennel Manager or even starting your own boarding kennels. Undertaking an advanced animal care qualification such as the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management, or achieving a leadership and management qualification, could help you pave the way to taking on more responsibility at work, which could boost your earning potential and open up other opportunities and jobs working with dogs in the future.

Animal care apprenticeships such as the Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship can help you gain practical skills and hands-on experience working with dogs in a kennel setting.

Read the Kennel Worker job profile

5. Dog Groomer

Dog groomers play a vital role in maintaining the physical well-being of dogs by keeping their coats clean and well-groomed. This career allows you to combine your creativity with your love for dogs, making them look and feel their best.

As a dog groomer you will have the knowledge to carry out basic health checks, identify parasites and signs of infection, bath, dry and style all dogs to ‘breed standard’ or customer specification. You will discuss with the owner the dog’s history such as its temperament, health, medical history and age. You will then discuss what grooming the dog requires; this could range from a bath and tidy up, to a full clip or hand strip and can include nail clipping and cleaning ears. As part of the role you will also advise owners on grooming requirements and coat care of their dogs in between grooms.

You can get a dog grooming job by undertaking a dog grooming apprenticeship, or by undertaking qualifications such as the Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants and the Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming. Dog grooming can offer the flexibility to work part time or even work from home. There is also opportunity to become self employed and set up your own dog grooming service. You can search for dog grooming jobs on websites such as Indeed, or by looking up your local dog grooming salons to see if there are any upcoming job opportunities.

Read the Dog Groomer job profile

6. Dog Behaviourist / Clinical Animal Behaviourist

Understanding canine behaviour is crucial for ensuring their overall welfare. As a dog behaviourist (also known as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist), you’ll have the rewarding task of working with dogs to analyse and modify problem behaviours, helping dogs to overcome anxiety, fear, and aggression. Your expertise can help create better-behaved and well-socialised dogs, leading to stronger bonds between dogs and their owners.

Animal Behaviourists often work on veterinary referral, and help not just dog owners, but other companion animals such as cats, horses, rabbits and other small furries and birds. Animal Behaviourists often also give talks and demonstrations, and provide mentoring and training for those wishing to enter the profession. You could undertake additional training in order to specialise in dog behaviour.

Read the Clinical Animal Behaviourist job profile

7. Dog Handler

For those who are interested in a career working closely with dogs, becoming a dog handler could be your calling.  

As a dog handler, you would be teamed with a specially trained dog and would be responsible for its care and control. The police, Army, RAF, HM Revenue and Customs, the fire service, search and rescue organisations and private security firms all offer dog handler job opportunities. If you love dogs and you are keen to use your observation skills, this could be just what you are looking for.

For those looking for a dog handler course to help build their career, you could consider studying the Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship with the Animal Handling and Interaction pathway.

Read the Dog Handler job profile

8. Assistance Dog Trainer

Assistance dog trainers and instructors train dogs to help people who have physical disabilities, medical conditions and hearing or sight difficulties. In addition to training the dogs, trainers are also likely to be involved in giving talks and demonstrations, raising funds and helping to train other trainers. You could work for organisations such as Guide Dogs, Dogs for Good, Support Dogs, Medical Detection Dogs, Canine Partners, Dog A.I.D or Hearing Dogs.

Entry requirements will vary depending on the organisation you are applying for the job with. However, as with most jobs working with dogs, gaining any relevant work experience or qualifications can strengthen to your application. For example, you could stand out from other applicants by studying the Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship with the Animal Handling and Interaction pathway.

Read the Assistance Dog Trainer job profile

9. Dog Walker / Dog Sitter

Dog walkers offer their services, helping owners to exercise their pets. Dogs are usually taken for walks during the day whilst their owners may be engaged with work commitments, or for short periods, when they are away. For those looking for flexible work opportunities, dog walking is a suitable option and it is likely you’ll be able to find part time dog walking jobs using online platforms as well as word-of-mouth. As you gain more experience, you could expand and offer other pet care services to clients, including pet sitting in the owner’s home, pet boarding, puppy and pet visits, pet taxis, and even dog grooming. You could increase your knowledge of dog welfare and boost your credibility as a dog walker or dog sitter by undertaking a formal animal care qualification, such as the Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care (Online Learning).

Read the Dog Walker job profile

10. Pet Retail

If you’re an innovator at heart, working in the pet product industry might be the perfect fit. From designing toys and accessories to developing innovative health and safety products, you’ll be enriching the lives of dogs and their owners alike. There are also customer service, marketing and business development roles available at a range of companies in the pet industry, such as pet care stores or animal charities.

Unsure how to get your career with dogs started? Find out how at Careers With Animals Day

For those interested in careers working with dogs but not sure how to get started, our annual Careers With Animals Day would be a great place to start. Whether you’re at school and looking at your options, employed in a different field and looking for a career change or unemployed and looking at how you can get back into work, this event will give you the chance to listen to relevant people and organisations within the animal care and veterinary industry, gain advice, ask questions and receive guidance on training. Read more about Careers With Animals Day

Career opportunities are endless when it comes to working with dogs. Whether you choose a career that involves their health, behaviour, or happiness, you’ll be making a positive impact on the lives of dogs, as well as the lives of their owners. So, take the leap, and let your love for dogs lead you to a rewarding and fulfilling career path!

Careers Working with Cats

4 Puurrfect Career Options Working with Cats

Did you know that your love for cats could also translate into a rewarding and fulfilling career? From fields directly involving cats to more indirect roles, there are numerous jobs working with cats that allow you to make a career out of your passion for these feline friends. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some career paths for cat lovers:

1. Cat Sitter

If you’re looking for a career with cats that offers the flexibility to work part time, cat sitting might be good option for you. Cat sitters are individuals who provide care and attention to cats when their owners are not available or away from home. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the wellbeing and comfort of the cats under their care, including feeding, playing with the cats, cleaning their litter boxes and monitoring their health. As a cat sitter you may visit your clients home once or twice per day during feeding time, or you could offer a round-the-clock service and stay in the owner’s home.

2. Cattery Worker

Cattery workers care for cats in catteries or animal rescue centres. Cattery workers play a crucial role in ensuring that cats are well-cared for and comfortable during their stay at the cattery. You must have a genuine love for cats, be attentive to their needs, provide a safe and nurturing environment and be able to cope with the physical demands of the job, such as cleaning out cat pens and exercising cats. As part of the role you would be preparing food and feeding cats, grooming, exercising and playing with cats, answering telephone calls and record keeping.

Cattery workers can work with cats in establishments such as cattery boarding establishments and cat rehoming and animal rescue organisations (for example at charities like Cats Protection). As you gain more experience and qualifications, you could pursue supervisory and management positions within this setting, for example by becoming a Cattery Manager or even starting your own boarding cattery. Undertaking an advanced animal care qualification such as the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management, or achieving a leadership and management qualification, could help you pave the way to taking on more responsibility at work, which could boost your earning potential and open up other opportunities and jobs working with cats in the future.

Animal care apprenticeships such as the Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship can help you gain practical skills and hands-on experience working with cats in a kennel setting.

Read the Cattery Worker job profile

3. Veterinary Nurse

Veterinary nurses are key members of the veterinary team, and is a fantastic career option for cat lovers. They work alongside vets to provide care and treatment to a variety of animals including cats, and spend a lot of their time working with cats and cat owners. As a veterinary nurse you would be involved with nursing sick animals and administering medication, monitoring anaesthetised animals, taking x-rays and diagnostic tests, advising pet owners on the health and welfare of their pets and much more. In order to qualify as a veterinary nurse, you must complete a veterinary nursing qualification approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). You can qualify as a veterinary nurse via a Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship or veterinary nursing degree programme.

4. Veterinary Surgeon

If you have a strong interest in feline health, becoming a veterinary surgeon might be the perfect path for you. As a veterinary surgeon, you’ll diagnose and treat health issues in cats and other companion animals.

Veterinary surgeons in general practice carry out a wide range of tasks from promoting and maintaining the health of animals through to diagnosing and treating sick and injured animals. As a veterinary surgeon you must be good with both animals and people. You must be empathetic and be able to talk sensitively to owners about the care and treatment of their animals. Once you have completed formal training, you can undertake further learning and professional learning in feline health and behaviour.

Read the Veterinary Surgeon job profile

Unsure how to get your career with cats started? Find out how at Careers With Animals Day

For those interested in careers working with cats but not sure how to get started, our annual Careers With Animals Day would be a great place to start. Whether you’re at school and looking at your options, employed in a different field and looking for a career change or unemployed and looking at how you can get back into work, this event will give you the chance to listen to relevant people and organisations within the animal care and veterinary industry, gain advice, ask questions and receive guidance on training. Read more about Careers With Animals Day

Why Study Level 3 Animal Management

Why study the City & Guilds Level 3 Animal Management course?

If you’re aiming to work with animals, or you’re already working in the industry and looking for a way to progress in your role, our new City & Guilds Level 3 Animal Management programme could be the gateway to a successful career in the animal care industry. Today, we’re exploring why you should study this advanced animal care qualification:

Boost your animal management skills with a comprehensive syllabus

Our City & Guilds Level 3 Animal Management course offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers every aspect of animal care. From understanding animal behaviour and nutrition to learning about their health and welfare, this course provides you with a solid foundation in the care and management of a range of animal species.  

In addition, you can also match your qualification to your job role and interests by choosing from a range of optional units. There are optional units available in areas such as kennel and cattery management, farm livestock husbandry, exotic animal health and husbandry, pet store design and animal management, wildlife rehabilitation and management, and much more!

Gain practical, hands on experience working with animals

Employment, or a voluntary placement, in a suitable animal care environment for a minimum of 4 hours per week is required prior to applying for the City & Guilds Level 3 Animal Management programme. This means you’ll have the opportunity to work with animals in real-life scenarios, gaining invaluable experience that prepares you for the challenges and responsibilities that come with working in the animal care field.

Open up diverse career opportunities in animal management

Upon completing the City & Guilds Level 3 Animal Management programme, you’ll open doors to a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you picture yourself working in a wildlife centre, zoo, veterinary practice, or animal rescue centre, the skills you acquire through this course will be highly sought after by employers across the industry.

After you have achieved this advanced animal care qualification you could pursue work in a variety of fields in animal care, for example: animal rehoming, dog training, pet sitting, dog walking, animal research, conservation or zookeeping. Take a look at our career profiles as a starting point to discovering the different job roles available. Achieving an advanced animal care qualification can also help you stand out when applying for supervisory, management and leadership positions in the animal care industry, which could help you lift your earning potential.

You could also consider going on to train as a veterinary nurse. The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management (180 credits required), in combination with a full level 2 qualification in Maths and English Language (e.g. GCSE Grade A*-C or Level 2 Functional Skills) will allow you to apply for the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or Advanced Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing programmes, subject to employment in a veterinary practice that is approved to train veterinary nurses (a TP or aTP).

Pave the way to higher study in animal care

The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management (180 credits required) is equivalent to up to 3 A-levels, which means students may also progress (subject to meeting specified entry requirements) into higher education. Degree study paths include animal behaviour, zoology, animal science, conservation, ecology and veterinary nursing.

If you’ve ever envisioned a career where you can make a difference to the lives of animals, the City & Guilds Level 3 Animal Management programme is the perfect starting point. This qualification equips you with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to succeed in the animal care industry. Unleash your potential and embark on a fulfilling journey in animal care today!

Find out more about the City & Guilds Level 3 Animal Management programme

Clipit Grooming Blade Maintenance Talk

Clipit Grooming Blade Care and Maintenance Talk – Thursday 26 October 2023

We are very excited to announce that Clipit Grooming will be coming along to The College of Animal Welfare’s Headland House centre in Cambridgeshire on Thursday 26 October at 10am, to give a talk on blade care and maintenance.

Clipit Grooming will be sharing their wealth of knowledge on the intricacies of blade care and maintenance, a crucial aspect of dog grooming that ensures safety, comfort, and hygiene.

What to expect:

  • Insightful tips and tricks from industry experts
  • Hands-on demonstrations of blade care techniques
  • Q&A session to address all your grooming queries
  • Networking opportunities with dog owners/groomers

Best of all, this event is FREE to attend, and everyone is welcome! Whether you’re a qualified dog groomer, just starting on your grooming journey, or a dedicated dog owner, this is a great opportunity to enhance your skills and connect with others.

If you would like to come along, please book a FREE ticket to reserve your spot.