How can I Start Working with Animals?

My name is Nick, and I'm a third-year business major at Fresno State volunteering with Halo Cafe this semester. I'm not an animal science major, which kind of proves you don't need to be one to get started.

I picked Halo because I like helping animals. I love seeing animals get the help they need, because I think seeing an animal sad is one of the saddest things ever.

Start by Volunteering

If a friend reached out to me and said they wanted to work with animals, I would point them in the direction of Halo Cafe.

Halo is a pet food pantry here in Fresno that gives free dog and cat food to people who are going through a rough time, so they don't have to give up their pets to a shelter. In September alone they helped 64 households feed 219 dogs and cats. It's run completely by volunteers, so there are a lot of ways to help, like handing out food at the monthly pantry, doing street outreach, or even writing articles like this one. It's a good first step because you get real experience helping animals, and that's something schools and employers look for.

Other places in Fresno to volunteer:

- Central California SPCA: animal care for 18+, and teens 14-17 can help too

- Fresno Humane Animal Services: foster an animal at home (18+)

- Fresno Chaffee Zoo: adult docents and a VolunTeens program

Jobs and Pay

The pay surprised me, to be honest. I always hear people complaining about the cost of the vet, so how is it so much if these people are making almost no money?

- Veterinary assistant: no degree needed, about $37,320 a year

- Veterinary technician: 2-year degree plus a state license, about $45,980 a year

- Veterinarian: a bachelor's degree, then 4 more years of vet school

Where to Get Trained in Fresno

If you want to go further, you don't even have to leave Fresno:

- Carrington College: Veterinary Assistant certificate

- San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC): Veterinary Technology program

- Fresno State: Animal Science degree with a pre-vet option

Also, not every animal job is hands-on. Places like Halo need people for social media, fundraising, and getting the word out, which is pretty much what I'm doing as a business major. So if you're good with people or good on a computer, there's still a spot for you.

Your Next Steps

After reading this article, I would like you to have an understanding of how to work with animals and what your next steps would be.

If you're nervous to start, don't be. Just sign up for one shift and see how it goes. Worst case, you figure out it's not for you, and that's still worth knowing.

Quick checklist:

- Sign up for one volunteer shift this month

- Keep track of your hours (schools and jobs ask for them)

- Ask the people there how they got started

- Try a couple of different places to see what you like

To volunteer with Halo, fill out the application at halocafe.org/help-halo.