About Animal Care

Animal care businesses include:

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Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Animal grooming

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Animal welfare organisations

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Animal visitor attractions

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Animal boarding

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Animal care services

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Guide dog training

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Pet shops

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Animal training

Different Types of Animal Care Businesses

Zoos and wildlife parks

Animal Care Facts

• 47% of the UK’s population has a pet – there are 24 million pets in the UK
• Pet shops, boarding establishments, dog breeders and zoos all require licences to operate
• The UK pet food market was valued at just under £2 billion in 2008
• Codes of practice for the welfare of dogs, cats, horses and privately kept non-human primates are available across the UK
• Over one-fifth of animal care employees began their career through voluntary work
• 71% of the workforce are women
• 86% of animal care businesses employ five people or less

Did you know?

• The  way everyone in the industry works has changed following new laws on domestic and captive animals – the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Act Scotland. It requires the workforce meet the responsibility for duty of care of animals and to promote to others, so our welfare standards remain something to be proud of
• There has been a general reduction in pet ownership in the last two years, with more exotic and unusual species becoming popular
• More people are visiting zoos and wildlife parks as there is an increase in the number of people holidaying in the UK
• Many zoos are changing the way they work as part of their ongoing commitment to conservation, as well as generating income towards the care of animals and endangered species. For example, recycling ‘zoo poo’ and other waste materials
• Pet owners are being more selective about which animal shows they compete at to reduce the documentation/licences and the travel costs that go with it
• Costly vet bills and routine veterinary expenses have become too much for some households.  This has led to a fall in welfare standards and a rising number of elderly animals, particularly horses, being sent to animal sanctuaries