Animal Care Is Not a Nine-to-Five Job
While the normal hours for some businesses are 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., that is not the case in the animal industry. Many people in this industry are self-employed or contracted workers. Pet store owners, veterinarians, dog walkers, pet sitters, even lobbyists work day, evening, and early-morning hours. The staff at an emergency all-night veterinary clinic works the night shift. The farmer and on-call veterinarian delivering a baby calf in the middle of the night might be working after already putting in a full day.
The traditional nine-to-five schedule exists in some places, but it is becoming rare. Zookeepers arrive at most zoos at 7 or 8 A.M., before the zoo opens to the public. They can also stay as late as 7 or 8 P.M. after visitors leave. Tourists who visit zoos don't get to see the behind-the-scenes activities that are involved.
People who work in animal rescue have worked around the clock when a disaster strikes. Fundraisers not only plan special events, but are on hand when the event takes place — and that can be on a weekend or evening.
According to a survey by Management Recruiters International, Inc., in which 3,500 executives were polled, 61 percent said that the traditional nine-to-five workday would disappear within the next ten years. Many employees are working longer hours, and some are even working on vacation time. Others are working from home thanks to the Internet.
There are times in this industry when you will have to pull an all-nighter. If an animal is sick, injured, or giving birth, you may have to be on hand. Even animal behaviorists — those who have developed relationships with the animals they work with — can be on call when an animal is in need. The veterinarian on call finds that having a familiar face nearby — one the animal knows and is comfortable being around — can make procedures go more smoothly.
“Most people in this business don't close the door at 5 P.M. and go home,” says Susan Smith, development director at Palisades Interstate Park Commission. “It depends on the day. I also find that wherever I go, I am always picking up ideas.”
When she took a few days off to attend a friend's wedding in another state, she visited a zoo. “I had some free time and went to the local zoo,” she says. “While I was there I observed how things were done, made mental notes, and shared those ideas with our zoo director. In one sense, I'm thinking about work a lot, but I'm not always working when I travel. I can relax and take time off. Plus, we are not expected to work seven days a week. But most people who work in this industry are always on the lookout for new and better ways to run their business. It can even be culling ideas from a newspaper article. Or when I'm watching a newscast about a group that got funding, I immediately make notes about contacting the donor for my organization.”
Did you know that there is a museum devoted to veterinary medicine? It is the American Museum of Veterinary Medicine, located in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. The museum's mission is to educate the public about the history of veterinary medicine. For more information about the museum, call 610-489-1229 or log onto
Flex time is a good option for many in this business. At the Animal Care Center of Plainfield in Illinois, veterinarians, vet techs, assistants, and others work a flexible schedule. Chrissy Zarony, a veterinary technician, works 7 A.M. to 2 P.M. which she says is perfect for people with families. At times, such as when someone misses a shift and the Center is short-staffed, she will have to put in overtime. “But we make up the time,” she says. “I like the flexibility of the job.”
Offering flexible hours is actually a necessity in this day and age of multiple-income households, kids, schools, daycare, and the juggling that comes with it all for parents. The good news is that people who work with animals often don't mind putting in the extra hours. They know that it is part of the job, and they take time off when needed.
