The animal care industry consists of: pet shops; boarding kennels and catteries; pet breeders; dog training and grooming; animal welfare charities; zoos and wildlife parks; and public services.  The animal care sector is primarily concerned with companion animals not farmed or research animals.

Total UK employment in the industry is 47,541.  There are an estimated 13,341 businesses in the industry, contributing £1 million to Gross Domestic Product. 

Key statistics on the industry:

• 94.6% of businesses employ less than 10 people
• 50% of proprietors are female
• 67.1% of staff are female
• proprietors are commonly aged 45-54 years
• staff are commonly aged 25-34 years
• the majority of the staff are aged 20-44 years (56%)
• 16.1% aged 20-24 years
• 20% aged 25-34 years
• 19.7% aged 35-44 years
• 10.6% of all establishments report vacancies, of which 6.4% are hard-to-fill
• 2.8% of establishments report that hard-to-fill vacancies are the result of skill shortages

Further education represents 79% of all provision by enrolments.  The most popular qualification – Edexcel National Diploma in Animal Management Level 3 – represented 37% of all enrolments in England.  The next most popular qualification – Edexcel First Diploma in Animal Care Level 2 – represented  16% of all enrolments in England.

In total more than 850 enrolments in Animal Care related Degrees, HNDs, HNCs and Foundation Degrees were achieved.  Over 1,500 enrolments were achieved in animal care for work based learning.

Specific future skill needs:

• increasing need for good customer care and communication skills as well as being able to handle and care for animals
• knowledge of new quarantine legislation and licences
• new pressures and demands upon the voluntary sector to move towards a service economy

Skills gaps are at senior occupational and management levels.  Current skill requirements are for high levels in customer relations and communication skills, whilst intermediate levels skills are required in literacy and numeracy.  Over the next 3 years, these skills at these levels will remain unchanged.

Skill shortages are reported for communication and basic practical skills and those in skilled trades have a shortage of animal care and management skills, customer service and communication skills.  Team working, practical and technical, customer service and business skills are also identified as important to the industry.  Managers in the industry lack business knowledge, planning, delegation and team building and motivation skills.

Industry drivers affecting future work and employment include:

• animal health and welfare legislation requiring higher professional standards and duty of care by all owning and dealing with animals
• increasing health and safety measures
• changing business practice resulting from globalisation, diversification, new technology and products, consumer behaviour and the implications of employment law
• the management of land and buildings
• demographic and labour trends affecting recruitment and retention
• increasing importance of volunteers and community involvement the industry

Source: Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Key Drivers of Skill Demand 2005, Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Annex 2.7 2005 and Animal Care Industry report 2005

For regional distribution of businesses and employees in the industry see:

Proportion of animal care businesses and workforce by region and nation, 2005