Find a national wildlife refuge near you and click on the refuge name to learn what you can see and do there. Read about the habitat and animals you might see, then plan a trip with family or friends.

Visit a wildlife refuge near you.

Research volunteer opportunities at local animal shelters, nonprofits, veterinary offices, zoos, etc. and get first-hand experience working with animals. 

Volunteer to help animals.  

Use College Confidential to explore the best schools for animal science. Optimize your college search and set yourself up for future success!

Explore the best schools for animal science.

Watch the trailer for "Changing Season," a documentary about a daughter taking over her father's farm. If it inspires you, seek out and watch the full-length documentary!

See the inner workings of a family farm.

Animal Breeders

Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring. May require knowledge of artificial insemination techniques and equipment use. May involve keeping records on heats, birth intervals, or pedigree.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations

Agricultural Workers

Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.

Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.

Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.

Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.

Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.

Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.

Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.

Brand, tattoo, or tag animals to allow animal identification.

Arrange for sale of animals and eggs to hospitals, research centers, pet shops, and food processing plants.

Animal Breeders

Overview

Career

What Animal Breeders Do

Other Job Titles Animal Breeders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Animal Breeders

Overview

Career

What Animal Breeders Do

Other Job Titles Animal Breeders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Animal Breeders

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders