Working with animals in Spain
Mar 21st 2011 | 8:48 am
#1
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Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Working with animals in Spain
Hello!
I am a German native, currently living in the US, and getting ready to return to Europe in late summer/early fall of this year. I contacted the German expat forum in Spain about working in animal-related professions in particularly Southern Spain and was given the advice to also check British and/or American expat forums. After fairly dismal prognoses on the German forum, I thought I check with the British community.
I am currently still working part-time as a High School teacher, grades 9-12, teaching German and Spanish. I have also taught ESL for adults. However, for many years now, I have also been practicing and teaching Animal Communication and Animal Reiki, and have also been training dogs. I am currently formalizing my dog training education by completing a training program here in the US. Over time, these hobbies have developed into a second profession, and I plan to transition from teaching into working with animals within the next few years. I have enjoyed my stay in the United States - all 24 years of it - but I'm ready to come back. Given that I've lived in the beautiful but very rainy Pacific Northwest, I am not keen on returning to Germany but am more than ready for a sunnier, warmer climate. I am researching online job postings, right now, also for teaching, as I don't have savings that would allow me to just take my time and build up my animal services business. What I would like to know, however, is what prospects one might have in this line of work. Additional services I could offer are dog walking, petsitting, as well as possibly selling pet products that may not be readily available in Spain. Lastly, if you think that it is worth a try and have any ideas on what other work I might look into that would allow for the flexibility in schedule to build up my business, I'd appreciate your input. Oh, before I forget it: the area I am particularly interested in moving to is the Costa de la Luz, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and surrounding area. Thank you for your help!
I am a German native, currently living in the US, and getting ready to return to Europe in late summer/early fall of this year. I contacted the German expat forum in Spain about working in animal-related professions in particularly Southern Spain and was given the advice to also check British and/or American expat forums. After fairly dismal prognoses on the German forum, I thought I check with the British community.
I am currently still working part-time as a High School teacher, grades 9-12, teaching German and Spanish. I have also taught ESL for adults. However, for many years now, I have also been practicing and teaching Animal Communication and Animal Reiki, and have also been training dogs. I am currently formalizing my dog training education by completing a training program here in the US. Over time, these hobbies have developed into a second profession, and I plan to transition from teaching into working with animals within the next few years. I have enjoyed my stay in the United States - all 24 years of it - but I'm ready to come back. Given that I've lived in the beautiful but very rainy Pacific Northwest, I am not keen on returning to Germany but am more than ready for a sunnier, warmer climate. I am researching online job postings, right now, also for teaching, as I don't have savings that would allow me to just take my time and build up my animal services business. What I would like to know, however, is what prospects one might have in this line of work. Additional services I could offer are dog walking, petsitting, as well as possibly selling pet products that may not be readily available in Spain. Lastly, if you think that it is worth a try and have any ideas on what other work I might look into that would allow for the flexibility in schedule to build up my business, I'd appreciate your input. Oh, before I forget it: the area I am particularly interested in moving to is the Costa de la Luz, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and surrounding area. Thank you for your help!
Mar 21st 2011 | 1:16 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,646
From: Near Alora....but not too near. :)
Re: Working with animals in Spain
In my opinion this is the worst possible time to embark on such a venture here in southern Spain.
Times here for many are very hard, unemployment in some parts is as high as thirty percent. Many of the expats of all nationalities have returned to their homelands, often leaving their pets abandoned.....lots of the animal charities are desperately trying to re-home these poor creatures.
Look in any of the newspapers here and you will find great numbers of people offering there services as dog walkers and pet sitters, these are people who are trying anything just to be able to survive.
I'm in no way trying to put you off the move, but you do need to be aware that this part of Spain has been hit particularly hard by the downturn, it may be a very long time before we see any change in that situation.
Good luck!
Times here for many are very hard, unemployment in some parts is as high as thirty percent. Many of the expats of all nationalities have returned to their homelands, often leaving their pets abandoned.....lots of the animal charities are desperately trying to re-home these poor creatures.
Look in any of the newspapers here and you will find great numbers of people offering there services as dog walkers and pet sitters, these are people who are trying anything just to be able to survive.
I'm in no way trying to put you off the move, but you do need to be aware that this part of Spain has been hit particularly hard by the downturn, it may be a very long time before we see any change in that situation.
Good luck!
