With employment opportunities in the animal care industry expected to grow strongly over the next five yearsi, there is no better time for animal lovers to be considering a rewarding career caring for all creatures great and small.

Bathurst resident and self-proclaimed animal lover, Danielle Pearson is now working in her dream career as an animal attendant at the RSPCA Orange, thanks to her studies at TAFE NSW.

RSPCA Orange Shelter Coordinator, T’mielle Bunt said, “A requirement of being able to work at the shelter is completing a Certificate II in Animal Studies and we are always happy to employ TAFE NSW students, as they come to us well equipped and ready to hit the ground running.”

“Recently we have experienced an increase in adoptions with families looking to take on a new pet while they are spending more time at home. It has been beneficial to have Danielle on board as she has been able to put the skills she has learnt at TAFE NSW to good use at the shelter.”

Ms Pearson said, “I decided to study a Certificate II in Animal Studies at TAFE NSW Bathurst to help me turn my passion for animals into a career. I’m now furthering my skills with a Certificate III in Animal Studies while working in my dream job at the RSPCA.

“I have learnt so many skills at TAFE NSW which has helped me to identify whether an animal is healthy or in distress.

It’s such a rewarding feeling to watch the surrendered animals leave the shelter happy and healthy and off to a nice family.”

TAFE NSW Animal Studies Teacher, Melissa James, said Danielle was a recipient of the Lions Club of Bathurst Scholarship in 2019, and is dedicated to the industry and her work.

“Danielle will continue to study the Certificate III in Animal Studies at TAFE NSW this term using web conferencing technology. This type of connected learning supports social distancing, while enabling students to progress their studies. 

Danielle is the perfect example of students coming to TAFE NSW to get the hands-on skills and experience to be in a job they love.”

To find out more about the range of animal studies courses available at TAFE NSW. Visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601 for more information.

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.

i. Australian Government Jobs Outlook/animal attendants