Humanity's Best Friends
One of humanities greatest advancements was the domestication of animals. It started with dogs and soon horses, cattle, goats, and many other animals were also living alongside us. In these days animals were not pets. They helped us to hunt, carry burdens, or were a source of food and fiber.
Today, there are still animals that fill these roles. However, the relationship that most of us have with animals now is as pets. A pet is defined as a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship. According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) 40% of households in the UK have pets. The estimated pet population is 57 million. The most common pets are dogs, cats, and indoor fish. The companionship of pets brings joy to many people around the world and we have a responsibility to take the best care possible of these living beings. Pet care courses exist to teach people the best ways to take care of their companions.
What does one learn in a Pet Care Course?
Pet care courses cover a broad range of topics relating to pet care. Some of them provide a broad overview of the care of many different types of animals ranging from cats and dogs, horses, and reptiles. These courses typically cover health and common diseases, nutrition, grooming, and behavior for each specific type of animal. There are also pet care courses for specific types of pets, for example, cats or exotic animals. More advanced courses might cover the behavior of certain types of animals or training for veterinary assistants.
Who Should Take a Pet Care Course?
Anyone who owns a pet is legally and ethically responsible to take the best possible care of it. Many pet owners may not have spent time around animals as children or worst, learned bad animal husbandry techniques from their parents. We know much more about the care of pets now than we did in the past and this knowledge is increasing all the time. People who want to know more about the care of their pets should take a pet care course.
More advanced pet care courses exist for those who already know a lot about pets but want to learn more or are interested in turning their love for pets into a career.
Careers within Pet Care
A career in pet care could start as something as simple as becoming a part time dog walker. People who work full time often need someone to walk their dog during the day. Someone who has taken a pet care course in dog walking will be more appealing to many people than the neighbor kid. This dog walking job could turn into owning a kennel or a doggy day care.
Someone who has learned to care for a wide range of pets could open or work in a pet store. Pet store workers need the knowledge to take care of the birds, reptiles, and fish they sell. They also need to know enough about all pets that they can advise people who visit their shop to buy things for their pets.
Combined with veterinary and animal care courses, pet care courses can serve as a foundation for those who might in the future become veterinarians or animal behaviorists.
