Working in the pet trade is a dream held by many people who aspire to work in an industry that they love. The question is, if you do not have a solid background in pet care and pet products, is it realistic to transition into a role in the pet trade? Will you need to take additional qualifications, or think about making new industry contacts? All of this may be helpful to do, however it is perfectly possible to work in the pet trade successfully and make a move there from your current role, whatever that might be.

The best place to start is by thinking about the transferable skills you could bring to the pet trade industry. What have you learnt that could translate well into a new role in the pet industry so you would need less training and could move more easily? You might find that there are various roles that you could apply your skills to, which would then enable you to get a new role faster. For example, if you have experience in marketing, could you turn your skills to marketing pet products? If you are a retailer and have commercial skills, could you instead work in pet retail and manage a pet store or help with merchandising in a pet store? Perhaps if you have experience in logistics you could move into logistics and wholesale supply of pet care products? The fact is, working in the pet trade is in many ways no different to working in other industries, but it might require some thought and planning to help you get there.

The pet trade can also be a good place for entrepreneurs and people who are interested in starting their own business. For people who are passionate about animals and pets and want to find a way to bring more enjoyment into their work while taking the opportunity to build a profitable and exciting new business venture, there will be many ways to do this. The pet trade is ever growing and there are so many products and innovations that would be of interest to pet owners and people who care for animals. For those who are ideas people, who have access to funds to start a business, and who want to work for themselves in the pet trade, this can be a very viable route to take.

One of the most valuable things people can do when looking to build a new career is to form a productive and supportive community around them, and find ways to embed themselves into the wider world of the industry. The pet trade is no different and many people find it helpful to consult with others who are already there, as well as signing up to pet trade publications and news resources. This will help you to find your path in the pet trade and become integrated into the industry, so you are more likely to succeed in your new role. It also helps to make the process more enjoyable and a better experience for those who might be new to it.