15 animal-related professions: an overview of occupations and fields

How to read this overview

The table below summarises 15 occupations across six areas of the sector: from animal healthcare through breeding and owner services to rescue and advisory work. Remuneration is indicative and varies by region, employer and experience. For selected occupations you will find a link to a detailed separate article with more specific figures and steps on how to get started.

Healthcare: the most reliable entry into the sector

Veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians are the most stable positions in the field. They work full-time, have a clear qualification path (secondary school, higher professional school or retraining course) and demand for them has long exceeded supply. A detailed overview of study options and job descriptions can be found in the article Veterinary assistant: which course of study to choose.

Breeding, training and services for owners

This group of professions is easiest to start as a side income and gradually expand into a full-fledged business. It includes dog walking, pet sitting, grooming or training. Most are operated as a free trade licence, with earnings growing alongside references and a steady client base. How starting in this area really looks is described in the articles on mazlic.cz Dog walking as a side income a Pet sitting as a trade licence.

Shelters, rescue and animal protection

Work in an animal shelter is one of the few areas in this field where you can start with no qualifications at all, as a volunteer for a few hours a week. From there, a natural path leads to a paid position as a caretaker or facility manager, or potentially to work as an animal protection inspector within state administration. The difference between volunteering and employment, as well as how to apply to a shelter, is discussed in the article. Work and volunteering at the animal shelter.

Zoos, stables and exotic animals

Zoo keeper, exotic animal breeder or stable hand at a riding school, these professions require specific knowledge of the particular animal species and usually practical experience or professional education in zootechnics or animal husbandry. Job offers are typically tied to a specific location (zoo, farm, stable), so it pays to monitor them directly with employers in the region.

Therapy, trade and consultancy

The final group comprises fields at the intersection of healthcare, social care and retail, animal-assisted therapy, nutritional counselling or sales in pet supplies. Remuneration here is most variable, as it depends on whether it involves an employment relationship or self-employment with one's own client base.

What most influences the fee amount

Several general rules apply across the entire sector. Employment provides the security of a regular income, but with a lower ceiling, remuneration grows mainly with experience and responsibility (managerial positions, specialisation). Self-employment in the form of a free trade licence offers a higher ceiling, but no security, earnings depend directly on the number of clients and their regularity. Region plays a role mainly for employment positions, where Prague and other major cities usually pay above the national average. For self-employed tradespeople, it is the density of demand in the locality that matters more than the region itself.

The type of workplace is another factor, private entities (clinics, salons, breeding stations) usually pay better than public administration or non-profit organisations, where operations are often more stable and working hours clearer.

How to decide where to go

If you are unsure which field suits you, the quickest way is to try it on a small scale: volunteering at an animal shelter, a weekend job with a breeder, or walking a neighbour's dog will tell you more about your future satisfaction than any job description. Only then does it make sense to invest time and money in formal education or starting a trade.