Animal Qualifications and Extra jobs - for a 14 year old

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Charl

Charl

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Hi all,

Today in school we (my year, year 10) were filling out forms for our work experience. And I have been thinking for a while, what can I do NOW that can give me an extra qualification and a little extra experience with animals? Is there anything online that I can do? Or anything to do with animal/wildlife rescues? Because I am going to my local vets for the 2 weeks of work experience :)

Also I was just wondering if I could help advertising or doing something on this forum with guinea pig rescues, if anyone needs an extra hand :) I would love to get involved if possible

Thanks in advance

x Charl x
 
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If it was me, I would enquire with RSPCA or any kind of shelter. Wish I'd have done that when I was younger, I ended up as a bored secretary! :))

Google is a powerful tool, just keep searching.
 
Rescue centres often need people to walk dogs, clean cages etc. Maybe there is a rescue on here that is near you :) I really hope you find a nice supportive place to volunteer and would suggest a local rescue run by people who really care and want to encourage you rather than a big one that is run like a business not a charity. There are also pet boarding centres that might offer you a job or a voluntary placement.

My sister was put off working with animals by a series of bad experiences in the RSPCA and an agricultural college where niether her or the animals were valued. If you end up in a place where you don't feel valued don't just stick it out because you feel you have to, just move on and find somewhere better. You are at a vital point in your life where you can choose to do anything you want with your life and if anyone tells you different they have the guinea pig forum to deal with. I really really want you to get a good experience cuz you seem like you really care and want to help animals and I wouldn't want to see you have the same experiences my sister did.

Good luck wheaks from my girlies :) Rachel
 
Most animal rescue centres always need dog walkers and volunteers for other bits and pieces. I'm sure if you contact your local one they'll bite your hand off and it may lead to other work experience opportunities.

When I was at uni I had a holiday job as ride escort and groom at a stables. It was a very valuable experience. I learnt a lot from it.
 
Good luck with your search for a work experience placement! My daughter worked in the cattery at a local rescue last year, the RSPCA wouldn't take her, as at 14, they said they weren't insured to have her working with the animals/cleaning out unsupervised. She wasn't allowed any unsupervised contact with the dogs at the rescue centre she finally ended up at either - again for insurance/safety reasons.

We found that Rachael had to send out lots of letters and emails asking for work experience, not many replied and most of those that did said she wasn't old enough or they couldn't offer her anything on the week school had set aside for work experience, so my advice is to start sending out enquiries early!

Be prepared to get the really grotty jobs, the first job of the day, every day for Rachael was to clean out, wash, dry and re-fill 72 litter trays - but she still loved all of the cats!

Good luck
 
remember that if you do volunteer work, you can use it for your DofE certificates!
 
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