Can you talk to the animals?

You have a way with animals. Maybe you already pet-sit, dog-walk, help muck out pigs or assist with the horses at the local stables. Or maybe you just know the breed of every sheep and cow you see in a field.

How to develop your natural talent

For inspiration:
• Visit agricultural fairs, pet shows and rare-breed farms
• Do odd jobs at the nearby kennels, stables, pet-rescue centre or farm
• Help look after the local school’s pets in the holidays

Learn more:
• Subscribe to an animal-interest magazine
• Read up on animal history and biology
• Take a self-study or short course in animal care, behaviour or pet training

Identify your key interests:
You will probably develop an early sense of what kind of work with animals most interests you. For instance:
• Husbandry, smallholding
• Breeding, showing
• Welfare, veterinary
• Training, behaviour
• Grooming, photography
• Conservation, campaigning

Your hobby has become a passion when…
• The back garden resembles a ferret farm
• Friends want their pets to holiday with you
• You fantasise about winning Best in Show at Crufts

Seeking a bigger challenge?
As you grow in experience, you may have bigger ideas, such as:
• Starting your own smallholding
• Buying some beehives
• Training as an animal nurse
• Running a local animal-rights campaign in your area

Time to take stock
If your animal hobby starts to burgeon, it may well have a great impact on your lifestyle – especially if you want to start keeping animals on your own premises in any serious way. Review your ambitions and goals: is it expertise, skills or qualifications you now need? And how are you going to negotiate the practicalities of home, family, land, location?

Learn more, get practising
• Offer free pet grooming or training to your friends and neighbours with animals
• Find a vet or animal nurse who might let you ‘shadow’ them at work once a week
• Volunteer to help out a local breeder in return for picking their brains
• Offer to assist at local livestock and pet shows
• Find your nearest smallholder society and ask to visit some members

Get organised
It’s time to consider what type of advanced training and/or qualifications you may need. Then you will have to make a decision and enrol on a course. You may also need to reorganise your home and land, which can take time and money.

Towards an animal-related business
There are many opportunities for part- and full-time animal businesses in the countryside. To extend your passion into a viable venture, first you’ll need a proper business plan. You should also join a society that fits your specialism and start offering your professional services through local ads or by word-of-mouth. Proven business ideas include:
• Beekeeper
• Smallholder
• Animal-rescue service
• Riding stables
• Kennels (small animals)
• Pet-sitting and walking or pet-minding holiday service
• Animal breeder
• Pet trainer
• Grooming parlour
• Pet bereavement counsellor

Resources for Dr Doolittles
Animal Care College 0870 730 8433; www.animalcarecollege.co.uk Self-study courses in small animal care and handling
College of Animal Welfare 0870 062 1122 www.caw.ac.uk Short courses, including some on running an animal business
Animal Rescuers www.animalrescuers.co.uk UK directory of rescue services and information
RSPCA 0870 333 5999; www.rspca.org.uk
Scottish SPCA 0131 339 0222; www.scottishspca.org
Intute 0115 823 0572 www.intute.ac.uk/healthandlifesciences/agriculture Web resources for education and research in agriculture
Broad Leys Publishing 01799 541065; www.blpbooks.co.uk Books for smallholders and poultry-keepers, plus lots of links to smallholder and breeder info
British Beekeepers’ Association 02476 696679; www.britishbee.org.uk Advice for all levels; links to local sites
Rare Breeds Survival Trust 02476 696551; www.rbst.org.uk Conservation group for British native livestock
Smallholder www.smallholder.co.uk News, listings and contacts