I'm so happy that you like animals. Maybe you have a dog, cat, rabbit, horse, hamster or another pet. But, it's fine if you don't. Maybe you watch your neighbor's pets when they are away or watch the birds, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, coyotes and other animals that roam near your house. Or maybe you like to read books or watch shows about animals 

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Do you take care of animals? Helping to walk them, maybe, or clean the litter box. Or play with them and tell them you love them. 

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Never lose that love or desire to help them. That's a wonderful gift you have.

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As you get older, you may think about jobs and careers working with animals. There are so many ways to go. You can be a veterinarian, helping sick animals. But there are more jobs out there--helping out at a shelter to make sure that animals receive safe, loving care. Or helping to rescue dogs in trouble. Or maybe you'll start your own company walking dogs or watching animals when the owners. There are so many jobs and many you don't read about. 

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But you say you are a kid and wonder what can you do now? Lots!

You can read about animals--fiction and non-fiction. Learn about how animals grow and act. Watch the wild animals that roam near you. How do squirrels act? What are the different sounds the birds that visit you make? Be curious. Learn. Watch.

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And volunteer when you can, if you are old enough and if you have time. Maybe it's to walk an elderly neighbor's dog. Maybe it's taking care of your own animals. Or you can go to the local animal shelter and help take care of the animals. If you do, look how they are treated and read about what their lives were like before. 

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If you aren't old enough to volunteer (and even if you are), there are still things you can do: Raise money for a local rescue or charity (like on your birthday); start a club for kids who love animals, for example. Some shelters (like the Humane Society of Marion County in Florida) have week-long camps for kids who love animals and want to learn more.

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You may find that what you are most interested in is not taught in schools. That doesn't mean it is less important. It is very important because it's what you want to spend your time on when you can be doing anything you want. 

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There are so many ways a love of animals can take you. Maybe you'll want to take care of your own animals. Or you will volunteer a few hours a week. But, maybe you will find a job and get paid doing what you love. As you get older, you can do one, then do the other or both together. Life will have many twists and turns. You will learn from all of them.

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The important think is to keep loving animals and help to keep them safe.

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