What's sparking the increase in jobs and change in the industry is the public's interest in animal welfare. When a large majority of people treat a pet as a member of their family, when they care about the environment, and when they have a deep concern for their food supply, change occurs. People who work with animals in every capacity are changing the way they do business. Animal welfare is a top priority, and so is human health.

“People who normally wouldn't think twice about where they get their eggs are suddenly buying cage-free eggs and organically raised eggs,” says Dr. May. “There seems to be a trend toward ‘city folk’ buying ‘hobby farms’ in rural areas, increasing opportunities for animal interactions.”

Many farmers are turning a part of their farms into bed-and-breakfasts with the goal of luring city folk to their properties for a farm experience. It's true that visiting a farm is not the same as working on a farm. However, many families who live in the city are bringing their children to these farms so they can get a small taste of farm life.

On the scientific front, researchers are continuing to find ways to improve both human and animal life. “Scientific discoveries are being made all the time, and finding ways to use the new techniques will provide lots of opportunities,” says Ronda Hamm. “For example, you can learn a lot about an animal based on genetics. It might be something in the genetics that can be used to help a species or eliminate a problem they face. Think about using genetic resistance to a disease that might be driving populations to extinction.”

The lines between helping people, animals, and the environment are blurring and bringing change to this industry. While different organizations address different niches, all work to improve the lives of animals and people. “For instance,” says Christopher Cutter, “NRDC (National Resource Defense Council) is primarily an organization that tackles legal issues and so the best way into that organization might be as an attorney. On the other hand, a group like HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) is much more into policy and public advocacy. Greenpeace is more direct action, hands-on. So in that way, the overall industry/community serves different roles.”

On a positive note, Cutter sees a willingness among NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) to collaborate to work on behalf of a cause. He also sees trends emerging regarding guiding philosophies of NGOs. “For example, some groups are trying to look at entire ecosystems rather than focusing on a single endangered species or a single population of animals,” he says. “Similarly, there is a greater amount of experimenting with creative ways to address entrenched problems. For instance, IFAW has successfully reduced human/elephant conflict in China by offering microloans to local people to address the issue. In general, there is a better understanding of the networks and interrelatedness of species and even populations of a single species. The more we understand, the more we realize we need to continue to learn.”

Rebecca K. O'Connor, animal behaviorist and trainer, also sees change as a way to improve the welfare of animals and people, and as a way to grow her business, which she operates out of a home-based office. She believes that everyone who works with animals (and other fields as well) should never stop learning. “The industry is becoming savvier, looking to science and psychology for solutions to behavioral problems, enriching environments, and other challenges,” she says. “This means that education, and especially continued education, is going to count.”