Take Flight With These 12 Bird Lover Career Ideas

October 8, 2018Posted inAll articles, Business ideas, Career options, Featured articles

Take flight - 12 career ideas for bird lovers

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Birds are in our backyards and cities, they live with us in our homes, and reside in sanctuaries and zoological parks. We love their beauty, intelligence, and diversity . . . ironically, it’s these same qualities that often put them in harm’s way. They enhance our lives, and so we have an obligation to protect them. One of the best ways to do this is with a bird-focused career or business.

If you’d like to work with or for birds, consider the following jobs and businesses. Whether you like science, writing, art, business, or providing hands-on care, there’s a way for you to contribute to avian welfare . . . while making a living.

Extra Income from Home: 7 Ideas for Animal Lovers

December 18, 2017Posted inAll articles, Business ideas, Featured articles2 Comments

7 ideas for animal lovers to make extra income from home

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you want to supplement your income, getting a part-time job is just one option. I have ideas for seven part-time, low-risk gigs you can do from home.

Earning potential often depends on your skills and the effort you’re willing to put in. There are no guarantees, and no quick and easy fixes to success that I know of – you still have to put in the work. But it doesn’t have to feel like work when you enjoy what you’re doing. I can attest to that.

Urban Coyote Ecology – an Emerging Field

June 29, 2017Posted inAll articles, Career options, Featured articles

Urban coyote ecology - careers with coyotes & urban wildlife

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Wild animal species once largely restricted to rural areas have become regular urban denizens. In my own mid-sized city, it’s no longer uncommon to see foxes, coyotes, and turkeys roaming freely in residential areas. Several months ago we even spotted what appeared to be a bobcat on the arm of a busy highway. These kinds of sightings were rare as recently as a decade ago.

Caring About Animals Shouldn’t Hurt: How to Protect Your Soft Center

May 22, 2017Posted inAll articles, Featured articles, Inspiration & ideas

Self care tips for animal caregivers and advocated

By Paula Fitzsimmons

As animal advocates, we’re exposed to some pretty nasty stuff. Failure to properly shield ourselves emotionally may lead to problems later on, sometimes with disastrous results.

Veterinarians, for instance, experience a higher suicide rate than that of the general population, according to an article in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. Shelter workers, vet techs, disaster workers, and anyone in regular, direct contact with distressed animals are susceptible to compassion fatigue.

Those who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to protect animals and the planet are not immune from the hurt, either. Working on legislative bills that don’t pass, dealing with harsh critics, and having to constantly raise funds can also be brutal. And yes, volunteers are also vulnerable.

9 Publications That Pay You to Write About Animals

September 19, 2016Posted inAll articles, Career options, Featured articles

9 publications that pay you to write about animals

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you write about animals, finding markets for your work doesn’t have to be daunting if you know where to look. To help with your search, I’ve created a list of animal-related magazines and websites that pay writers. It’s not a comprehensive list, and doesn’t take into account other markets, including trade journals, animal nonprofits, and consumer magazines with pet columns.

Shelter Medicine: An Emerging Veterinary Specialty That Offers Hope

May 24, 2016Posted inAll articles, Career options, Experts & interviews, Featured articles

Shelter Medicine - emerging veterinary specialty to help rescue animals

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Rescues are filled with animals who have suffered to some degree in their previous lives. Then there’s shelter life, rife with its own unique challenges – from the stress of being in a new environment, to increased vulnerability to outbreaks.

Balancing the needs of individual animals with that of the group’s isn’t a cake walk for shelter staff, either.

Purrfect Work: Career & Business Ideas for Cat Lovers

May 9, 2016Posted inAll articles, Career options, Featured articles

Career & business ideas for cat lovers

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Have you ever thought about turning your passion for cats into paying work or a profitable business, but weren’t quite sure how to make that happen? You may be surprised at the variety of options available to you – and at the number of organizations seeking your passion and special skills.

I know, because opportunities working with cats and other animals regularly get posted on the Animal Jobs Digest jobs page.

Essential Job Skill: Speaking Up for Animals

April 25, 2016Posted inAll articles, Featured articles, How-to succeed

Essential job skill - speaking up for animals

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you want a career advocating for animals, you’ll need to get comfortable speaking out for them. Being their voice is an enormous responsibility, and can feel intimidating, but learning a few basic skills can help you speak out effectively . . .without losing your sanity in the process.

Some careers require more advanced communication skills than others – a public relations manager will obviously need to speak out more than an animal caregiver, for instance. Regardless of your position, you’ll need decent communication skills, because you’re representing not only yourself, but an entire organization.

Practicing even one of these tips can make a difference.