1. Small Animal Breeder Agricultural Careers
By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Asha Wise
Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
Georgia Department of Education
April 2006

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities
Select animals to breed
Inspect animals for injuries or illness
Make sure animals are watered and fed
Maintain animal pens, cages or living area

3. Qualities and Skills
Small animal breeders should enjoy working with animals
They should have a vast knowledge of the animals they breed
They should also have an understanding of genetics, biology and genealogy
Having social and verbal communication skills will be helpful when dealing with customers

4. Salary Earnings vary widely among small animal breeders
The size of the operation, the type of animal produced, and the efficiency, of the business will influence the earnings
Some breeders earn modest profits
Others make fairly large amounts of money
Workers will earn about $9,000 to $16,000 per year and generally receive benefits such as paid holidays and vacation

5. Work Environment Self employed breeders work every day of the week
Owners of large operations may work long, regular hours and have employees who care for the animals at other times
May do heavy lifting
May be exposed to unpleasant odors
Photo by Jesper Clausen

6. Other Careers You Might Want to Explore
Animal Scientist
Alternate Animal Producer
Artificial Inseminator
Fish Hatchery Manager
Game Animal Farmer
Marine Biologist
Veterinarian
Zoologist

7. Career Resources American Animal Hospital Association P.O. Box 15899
Denver, CO
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
70 Timber Creek Drive
Cordova, TN 38018
National Association of Animal Breeders
P.O. Box 1033
Columbia, MO 65205
The Fur Commission U.S.A