1. The Small Animal Care Industry- Part I

2. Benefits to society
Economic benefit from thousands of jobs and $32 billion dollars input into the national economy
Social benefit of small animals serving as companions and pets to almost 60% of all American families. Children learn responsibility and social skills and elderly benefit from improved quality of life as a result of keeping pets

3. Benefits to society
Valuable means of testing and developing new products such as drugs and vaccines in a laboratory and research setting. (Hepatitis, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio vaccines were perfected through small animal research)

4. Benefits to society
Small animals are being used in pet therapy to help patients overcome illness, improve vital signs, relieve depression, and provide a better quality of life for senior citizens and the disabled

5. Benefits to society
Dogs, in particular, are useful as watch dogs, police dogs, and seeing eye dogs
Rabbits are useful as an excellent source of meat that is low in cholesterol, sodium, and fat while being a highly palatable food source for protein

6. Benefits to society
Some small animals are used to provide products such as fur/wool for the production of coats, hats, gloves, and other articles of clothing

7. Benefits to society
Exhibition of animals provides entertainment in zoos, circus acts, etc and increases an appreciation for animals
Rabbits are one of the more versatile small animals in that they are raised not only for pets but for food, clothing, and research purposes also

8. Economic Impact
10,500-11,000 retail pet stores produce $21 billion in sales
Biomedical research supported by $15 billion in taxes and charity used million small animals

9. Economic Impact
6 million small animals were used in educational facilities for dissection
4 million small animals were used for the LD50 (lethal dose 50) test

10. Economic Impact Americans spend $20.3 billion per year on pets
Vet expenses exceed $11 billion annually. Dogs require twice as much for veterinary care as cats and more than any other small animal
Pet food manufacturers produce $9.0 billion in sales

11. General pet ownership
There are about 7 million more cats than dogs, with each cat owner averaging owning 2 cats
However, dogs are found in more households than cats
Fish, birds, and rabbits rank third, fourth, and fifth as far as pet ownership

12. Types of Jobs
Pet industry is just one small area of small animal care and management. Other jobs are: lab animal care, zoo animal care, animal health, animal training, and in the area of biological sciences

13. Types of Jobs
Jobs to supply food, equipment, and healthcare to small animals
Research in hospitals, colleges and universities, diagnostic labs, and private firms in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries

14. Types of Jobs
Exhibitors: operate animal acts, carnivals, circuses, public zoo, and marine mammal displays

15. Small animal careers and jobs
Pet care workers: many types provide many services to small animal owners. They are employed in boarding kennels, animal hospitals, animal shelters, pet stores, pet training schools, and pet grooming parlors

16. Small animal careers and jobs
Kennel attendants: feed and care for animals and keep kennels clean
Animal groomers: bathe pets and brush the pet and keep hair and nails trimmed

17. Small animal careers and jobs
Dog trainers: teach dogs to obey signals or commands, hunt, herd, or track, to guard lives or lead the blind

18. Small animal careers and jobs
Small animal breeders: raise and market fur-bearing animals, animals for sale to pet shops, labs, and for the general public, they also arrange matings and care for females and the young. Usually specialize in one breed.

19. Small animal careers and jobs
Pet shop owners: care for small animals they offer for sale, they offer a variety of small animals and need to be knowledgeable in running a business and dealing with customers

20. Small animal careers and jobs
Pet shop manager: run the daily pet store operations

21. Small animal careers and jobs
Vets: Doctors of veterinary medicine, treat, and control animal injuries and diseases. They also vaccinate animals against disease, and inspect animals and meat products used for food.

22. Vets
They will also perform surgery, set broken bones, establish diet and exercise routines, and prescribe medicines.
1/3 of vets in US treat only small animals

23. Small animal careers and jobs
Dealers: people who sell lab animals for research and teaching
Vet technicians: assist vet and other members of the vet staff in diagnosing and treating animals for injuries, illness, and routine vet needs, this can include vaccinations and routine checkups

24. Skills and credentials
Previous experience as an animal keeper or an aquarist
Part-time or volunteer work in animal shelters, pet shops, or vet clinics

25. THE END