15 Best Jobs for Cat Lovers

We’ve all been told to do what we love for work—and what if you just really love cats? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve gathered together this list of cat-centric jobs that will keep any fan of felines entertained all day, everyday.

From writing about the quirky and interesting facts about cats, to dedicating your day to keeping them safe and healthy, these jobs are meaningful, wonderful ways to celebrate your affection for our four-legged friends.

1. Veterinarian

Becoming a veterinarian is an obvious choice for animal lovers since you get to focus on healing animals. You’ll get warm, fuzzy feelings from your work, though getting there takes dedication. To become a vet you’ll need an undergraduate degree (with an emphasis on sciences), plus 4 years of additional schooling. According to Penn State’s site, after completing the D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) or V.M.D. (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris) degree, you’ll also need to take the North American Veterinary licensing Examination to practice in the states.

2. Work with Kitties in an Animal Shelter

This job is incredibly rewarding because shelter cats need your love and support—and what’s better than cuddling and caring for these creatures? Shelters are all unique in what they’re looking for in employees, but you can do everything from working as a trainer to cleaning or designing graphics for events. There really is something for everyone.

3. Cat Store Worker

If you love working with people and selling them quality goods (that are good for cats!), then you can always find an adorable pet boutique to work at. This is a great gig for people who need some flexibility, and there’s usually a “store kitty” hanging around—bonus!

4. Own a Cat Cafe (or work at one)

5. Create Cat Accessories

6. Write about Cats for a Living

7. Photograph Cats

Much like the writers, this job is flexible in the requirements you need—mostly you just need a love for cats and some talent and training behind the lens. Plus, practice makes perfect, so it’s essential to photograph as much as possible. In fact, Jennifer Wollman (of Jennifer Wollman Photography in Seattle) loves her gig, saying, “My job as a pet photographer allows me to show how important animals are in our lives. Capturing their personality, the connection people and their pets have with each other, as well photographing them in beautiful scenes, gives me the opportunity to play a small part in honoring and acknowledging their importance.”

8. Cat Groomer

9. Cat Catcher or Cat Detective

Have you always had a knack for finding lost things? Perhaps you could become a pet detective and help reunite missing kitties with their owners. Not only is this a much-need and lucrative trade, but it must be deeply satisfying to bring a cat back home to the people who love them.

10. Cat Behaviorist (also considered a Cat Whisperer)

If you feel a real kinship with kitties, perhaps you’d like to become a cat behaviorist (or “Cat Whisperer,” if you prefer). Though you don’t generally need a specific degree or certification to begin, it does help with your credibility in getting customers and receiving a good rate. It’s important that you have a lot of experience with cats if you decide to pursue this career—so spending time at shelters, with vets, etc. is a must. Another essential resource? The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant website.

11. Cat Sitter Extraordinaire

Becoming a cat-sitter is a wonderful gig for animal-lovers looking to make some money on the side. Watch your friends’ cats to get some experience under your belt, then sign up somewhere like Rover.com which will give you peace of mind by offering insurance and other assurances to your customers. Couldn’t be easier! Sarah, a known cat-sitter in her Seattle neighborhood, says, “I’m not able to have a kitty of my own right now with my busy lifestyle, but looking after other people’s cats gives me the chance to cuddle, play and get my cat-fix without having the full-on commitment.”

12. Catnip Dealer

Not only will growing catnip help you personally save money (and make your kitty so happy), but you can also turn it into a flourishing business. In fact, there’s so much information that’s easily accessible on the internet, you’ll be an expert in no time. Even Apartment Therapy has a helpful article about growing it indoors. Get that green thumb ready!

13. Cat Massage Therapist

Want to help cats relax and kick back? Become a Cat Massage Therapist! The rules and regulations for becoming one vary by state and can be found here. They seem to range from the strict (massages must be done be a veterinarian) to very loose (no regulations at all). Of course, getting training and certified is always a plus since knowledge is power—and there’s even a special Northwest School of Animal Massage located in Washington State.

14. Cat Patio & Furniture Builder

15. Cat Circus Worker

Yes, this sounds goofy—but it’s actually a real thing! Basically, you need to have an uncanny ability to understand felines in order to teach them tricks. You’ll also need to be flexible and fun-loving to live life on the road with a traveling cat troupe. Want to know more? Here’s an entertaining article that touches on Samantha Martin’s experience leading the oh-so-talented Acro-Cats!

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• 14 Rare Cat Breeds You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
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