careers with cats

Careers with cats require dedication and hard work and a genuine interest in their welfare.

If you haven’t spent time working with or caring for cats, it is worth considering working as a VOLUNTEER before embarking on this type of career.

Most careers with cats involve working in veterinary practices, animal rescue centres and boarding establishments.

Working directly with cats can involve tough physical outdoor work; it is crucial that you enjoy being outdoors in all types of weather as many catteries are based outside. You will need to be physically fit, hard working, have plenty of stamina and not be squeamish as some parts of the work can be messy and unpleasant such as cleaning litter trays. If you are working for a boarding cattery, you may be required to live on site and it is useful if you are able to drive.

Cats in care are entirely reliant on the staff for cleaning, feeding, stimulation and their general well-being. Being confined may be a frightening experience for some cats and for others it can be boring; good cattery staff will attend to individual problems and needs. Having a compassionate individual in this role makes a very real difference to the cats in boarding, and a calm and cheerful disposition is essential for this type of work as cats will pick up on and respond to your mood and temperament.

Careers with Cats:

Cattery Assistant: Whilst the work of a Cattery Assistant is physically demanding, it also involves a lot of hands-on contact with the animals and this can be extremely rewarding.

Cattery Manager: Cattery Managers are employed by private boarding, quarantine and charitable organisations to oversee the day-to-day running of the business. The role of a cattery manager can vary greatly and depends on the size and type of business or organisation.

Cat Sitter: Cat sitting is a kind and affordable alternative to a boarding cattery. It is an excellent career choice if you care passionately about cats and would like to run your own business working from home.

Cat Groomer:The demand for professional groomers is increasing as more people have pets and there is a growing awareness about responsible pet ownership. Career opportunities are varied in this type of animal care and a good groomer should never be unemployed.

Cat Boarding Business: Owning and running a boarding cattery can be both rewarding and fulfilling. The work is very demanding with a lot of responsibility; this career will probably become a way of life, as it is most likely that you will need to live on site.