Unusual Animal Careers
A Series about Careers with Animals

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Unusual Animal Careers Part Three
Different Types Of Organizations & Publications to Contact

Animal careers, animal schools, & animal courses are just a few topics you will find here. You can read about careers with animals, discover animal programs, and enroll in unique animal career seminars. This is part three in an unusual animal career series. In this section you will learn about how to locate animal jobs and animal careers.

The first three parts of this series discussed types of careers and which ones might be appropriate for you, how to begin researching those career options, and how to find specific information in the area of your interest to help you further clarify your goals and contacts.

This section will take you into a few specific areas of animal careers and include some lists for you in those areas to help in your research. Many of the groups or journals are named to help you in the search. Most of the information here is provided for your convenience and should not be considered an endorsement for any of those groups or publications listed. This series is written in the USA so many of the groups are in North America. Please be sure to tell them about this series when you contact them.

Let us start with the mammals since most people are attracted to them. There are numerous groups involved with mammals both from the wild and in captivity. They are not the only source to find information. However, their journals are some of the best resources for information around.

Another source for this subject is to look at recently published books on the animals you are interested in. These can be found listed in the journals or by searching under the topic in the constantly updated, "Books In Print."

Professional organizations or associations (without journals) are other avenues to familiarize yourself with the names and research processes and organizations, facilities or institutions that are doing studies. The Scientists who are currently being published may be interested in funding graduate student projects that will reflect what they are doing or support it.

Most of these groups will allow members to attend specialized scientific conferences on the animals you are interested in. These conferences are hosted by professional societies that specialize in their area or topic; sometimes they are held by vendors that have products related to that field.

A few of the journals to consider reading concerning mammals and behavior are: Marine Mammal Science Aquatic Mammals Journal of the Animal Behavior Society Journal of Mammalogy Journal of Zoology Canadian Journal of Zoology Behavioral Ecology Sociobiology For Marine Mammals, find groups such as: The Society for Marine Mammalogy The International Marine Animal Trainers' Association European Association for Aquatic Mammals European Cetacean Society European Cetacean Society International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine

For Primates, find groups including the: American Association of Primatologists International Primate Protection League International Primatological Society Associacion Primatologica Espanola Associazone Primatologica Italiana Australian Primate Society Primate Society of Great Britain

There are many more specialized groups specific animal groups or areas of interest. Start with the main societies and let them lead you to others.

For rehabilitation work start with the: Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center (SERRC) Wildlife Medical Clinic (University of Illinois) The Swan Sanctuary (England) Associacion de Rescate y Conservacion de Vida Silvestre (Guatemala [ARCAS] ) Wild Animal Recovery Centre (Italy) For Birds try: American Federation of Aviculture American Ornithologists' Union Audubon in New York Audubon in Southern California National Audubon Society Cornell University Raptor Program & Ornithology Studies World Parrot Trust USA Canadian World Parrot Trust Parrot Association of Canada Rainforest Action Network Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds Association of Field Ornithologists International Aviculturists Society International Crane Foundation Neotropical Bird Club Oriental Bird Club African Bird Club Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union Belize Audubon Society A.A.C.C. (Canada's National Aviculture Group) Yukon Bird Club Wild Bird Society of Japan Panama Audubon Society Parrot Society (UK) For Falconry or Hawking, look for those specific groups within your state or country. In the United States either Fish & Game or Fish & Wildlife can direct you to the appropriate contacts.

For an interest in bears there are numerous groups such as: Animal Alliance of Canada (The Bear Alliance) The Appalachian Bear Center Bear Watch The Brown Bear Foundation The Craighead Wildlife-Wildlands Institute The Denali Foundation Grizzly Fund The Great Bear Foundation The Greater Yellowstone Coalition The Grizzly Project Moksgm'ol - The Spirit Bear The Nature Conservancy North American Bear Society (NABS) Northwest Ecosystem Alliance (NWEA) The Sierra Club The Valhalla Wilderness Society The Wilderness Society World Society for the Protection of Animals World Wide Fund for Nature The Yellowstone Grizzly Foundation The Yellowstone Institute Wolves are a very popular animal and their are numerous groups you may want to locate: Alaska Wildlife Alliance Defenders of Wildlife Friends of Wolves Friends of the Wolf H.O.W.L. (Help Our Wolves Live) International Wolf Center Julian Center for Science and Education Maine Wolf Coalition Mexican Wolf Coalition Mexican Wolf Coalition of Texas New Hampshire Wolf Alliance North American Wolf Association North American Wolf Foundation North American Wolf Society Predator Project Preserve Arizona's Wolves (P.A.W.S) Project Wolf Red Wolf Sanctuary Restore: The North Woods Sinapu Timber Wolf Alliance Timber Wolf Information Network (TWIN) Timber Wolf Preservation Society Wild Canid Survival & Research Center Wolf Awareness, Inc. Wolf Education & Research Center Wolf Fund Wolf Haven International Wolf Lifeline, Inc. Wolf Park Wolf Recovery Foundation Wolf Song of Alaska Wolfsschanze

Earthwatch projects are a great way to get experience in a job or animal related project to see if it is something your would find interesting. Most of the projects are out in the field working with scientists. There are many different projects in various countries working with many varied species.

There are also some professional zoological oriented groups. Some of these are the: American Zoological Park & Aquarium Association American Association of Zoo Keepers American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Association of British Wild Animal Keepers Association of Zoological Horticulture Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping Elephant Managers' Association International Zoo Educators Association International Association of Avian Trainer's & Educators International Society of Zooculturists Zoo Registrar Association

Veterinary and related groups are varied, as well, with many types of specialties. Some of these groups include: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians Association of Avian Veterinarians Association of Primate Veterinarians Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians American Veterinary Dental Society American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association International Veterinary Academy of Disaster Medicine North American Veterinary Technician Association Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians

These agencies should give you a bit of an idea on where to start looking for information and direction toward educational programs, intern and externships, and experience. Pay special attention to the dates and locations of these meetings which are published in the newsletter or journal of the respective societies. These meetings will allow you to meet and make personal contact with some of those scientists.

Unusual Animal Careers Part Four: Different Strategies for Obtaining Animal Jobs Through Practical Animal Experience

About this animal career specialist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with, and certified by, a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and speaks. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books {What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007)} can be found in this web site and in the shop. Questions for Guerrero should be submitted via the blog comments or membership forum.