Places to Work With Animals?

<p>Where are some good places to work/volunteer with animals over the summer just as a part-time job, I'm a senior and I'm going to graduate soon. I am from LA County by the way. I prefer to work, but I want to get a chance to work animals over the summer, so I don't mind volunteering.</p>

<p>Shelters are always looking for volunteers! You will likely get to walk or help train dogs. They may have you do some “dirty” jobs, too, but that’s okay–it’s all for the love of the animals!</p>

<p>You can also check out local vet clinics and see if they’re looking for a kennel worker or receptionist. Even if your job is just answering the phone or cleaning cages, you can still learn a lot just by hanging out at the clinic, plus you’ll get paid. If they aren’t hiring, you can also ask if the vet allows students to do job shadowing there.</p>

<p>I agree with the above advice and will add that our local Humane society is in constant need of new volunteers. They have regularly scheduled volunteer training sessions so there are always opportunities - usually dog walking. If the Humane Society has a shelter in your area they may be a great option.
If you can’t find a paid position with a local vet I’m certain any of the shelters/rescue groups in your area would love to have yo as a volunteer :)</p>

<p>Completely off topic, but a pet peeve I have to address: “If the Humane Society has a shelter in your area they may be a great option.” Perhaps it is unintentional, but this is written as if “The Humane Society” (presumably the Humane Society of the United States, or HSUS) is an umbrella organization for local shelters. Don’t be fooled by the fact that your local shelter is called “Anytown Humane Society”–it is an independent organization and the HSUS does NOT support them. In fact, despite their commercials with all the sad-looking dogs and cats, HSUS spends less than 1% of their budget on companion animal shelters. I can go on with other reasons I don’t like them, but PLEASE, if you want to support animals, go directly to your local shelter, not to HSUS.</p>

<p>Sorry, I will get off my soap box now.</p>

<p>DD has done exactly what’s suggested in post #2 - once a week during the school year to our local animal shelter and to our local vet where she can watch the procedures. </p>

<p>I know our local zoo accepts interns in summer, and perhaps you have a similar opportunity where you live.</p>

<p>I own an independent pet store. I am always looking for bright, motivated young people for part time work. Of my employee alumnae – I have one working in a zoo, one going to vet school, one working as a vet tech and more!</p>

<p>I don’t do unpaid internships – if it’s worth doing, it’s worth being paid for – and it’s work for a for-profit business. And while part of the fun for me is bringing along young people, I also have employees because I need someone to do the work part of the store.</p>