Careers with Cats: how can I become a Cat Behaviourist?

If you're looking for a cat-based career, there are numerous roles for those wanting to work specifically with cats and some of them might just surprise you.

The latest post in our blog series focuses on Dom Burke, who works at the National Cat Centre as a Cat Behaviourist. Find out more about him below.

What inspired you to become a cat behaviourist?

Why an animal does what it does has always fascinated me. There’s always a very good reason for a cat doing something, even if it is inconvenient for the owner. I feel that cats can be misunderstood at times and are often compared to dogs which is an unfair comparison as they’re very different species, and I wanted to help people enjoy cats being cats.

How did you become a cat behaviourist?

I started exploring the idea of working with animals many years ago, and completed a level 3 college course in Animal management. By the time I finished that course, I decided I wanted to specialise more into behaviour, and this course allowed me to progress onto a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. There are no required qualifications to becoming a behaviourist, however most jobs working with animal behaviour would require a degree in the subject as a minimum.

What is the best thing about being a behaviourist?

I would have to say it would be helping owners understand their cats better. Behaviour problems are very common, and in helping with those and resolving the issues, life becomes much better for both the cat and the owner which is extremely rewarding. I also get to talk about animal behaviour constantly which keeps me pretty happy!

If you're interested in working with cats, you can also read our interviews with Katie, who explains how to become a Veterinary Nurse and Sarah, who talks about the role of a vet surgeon.

For more information on working for Cats Protection, visit our careers site.