Ever wonder who’s behind the food on your plate, the health of your pets, or the protection of endangered species? It’s the hardworking people with animal science degrees!
Blending biology, behavior, and technology, animal science improves lives, both human and animal alike. Animal science can do anything, like developing healthier food for livestock, designing better toys for pets, restoring fragile ecosystems, and so much more!
Considering majoring in animal science? Check out all that you can do with it.
Food Production
The food production industry is one of the major employers of animal science graduates. Animal scientists carefully select and breed livestock to promote healthy and productive animals. Working closely with farmers, they create the best environments for growth, comfort, and well-being. The animal scientist’s top priority is always animal welfare, so every animal receives care throughout its life.
When it comes to nutrition, animal scientists are on the front line. They make sure everything the animal eats is the best possible food for them. They’re constantly developing new kinds of feed to help animals grow and produce more than ever.
During food production, animal scientists are involved at every stage. They collect and evaluate animal products, including milk, eggs, meat, and wool, to guarantee quality. Every time we enjoy an animal product, animal scientists are behind the scenes, so what we eat and wear is safe and responsibly produced.
Animal Health & Care
Did you know that animal health and care also includes disease control? When there’s an outbreak in disease in animal populations, professionals with animal science degrees get to work. They help control the spread of disease and protect the rest of the population. This could be for livestock animals, poultry, or even wildlife!
With an animal science degree, you can go to graduate school to work as a veterinarian, animal surgeon, an animal pharmacist, or research animal welfare. With just a bachelor’s degree, you can work in animal training, caretaking, grooming, and breeding, or in animal assisted therapy. There’s tons of options if you love pets, like dogs, cats, or even exotic snakes and lizards!
If you’re more into improving the lives of all animals, you could work as a bioscientist. They research animal genetics, nutrition, prosthetics, and disease. With your animal science degree, you can make a big difference in an animal’s life.
Animal Conservation
If you want to help wild animals in their ecosystems, or care for them in zoos and sanctuaries, a degree in animal science will get you there. You could work with wildlife sanctuaries, zoos, shelters, kennels, stables and even government agencies to ensure the best care for every kind of animal. This kind of work includes time in the lab and out on the field!
As an animal conservationist, you might lead breeding programs for endangered species, monitor wildlife populations, or restore natural habitats around the world. Your work could also involve disease prevention and control, protecting both animals and humans from harmful viruses.
On top of that, you’ll also get to work with the public, teaching them about sustainability and what they can do to protect the wildlife in their communities. Your work would make a huge difference, not just with animals, but with people, too!
What Will You Do?
With an animal science degree, you’ll be prepared to take on a ton of different roles to improve the lives of animals across the world. In food production, you can ensure that livestock are treated well while providing nutritious food for communities. In animal health and care, you can make sure our lovable family pets are healthy and strong. And in animal conservation, you can protect wildlife and preserve ecosystems for future generations.
No matter which path you choose, an animal science degree prepares you to make a lasting difference. Whether you’re caring for farm animals, advancing animal health, or safeguarding endangered species, you’ll be helping to create a better, more sustainable world for all living things.
Citations
Michigan State University — Animal Science Career Opportunities
University of Nebraska–Lincoln — Animal Health, Welfare, and Precision Management Research
U.S. Forest Service — Wildlife Biologist Careers