Black Representation in Animal Care

The world is always changing and breaking new ground. But change is also slow and stereotypes still shape many people’s view of the world around them. There is still so much diversity that remains to be seen and walls that deserve to be shattered. 

This post shouldn’t even exist in my mind. I was scared to write it; writing it meant the feelings I felt inside were real. Writing it also meant that it was “a thing”: that there was a distinct lack of those from ethnic minority backgrounds in the field of animal care. And this is within the UK, or more specifically, within London. 

Love knows no bounds

London is a hugely diverse place, rich in multicultural beauty. It’s easy to expect too much from it at times. Or perhaps it’s not London, but culture? I understand and respect traditions and cultures, but there are some things - some places in my mind I go - where my own beliefs, my own emotions and my own morals are purely my own. Where what I love is what I love.

I know that I love animals - dogs, cats, rodents, horses, rabbits (even though I don’t really ‘get’ rabbit behaviour), birds etc. But I’m also very aware that this love is not seen to be celebrated amongst the black community in the same way that it is our white counterparts. 

In looking at the history of slaves and their treatment at the hands of animals - which also included being torn apart alive by the dogs of slave owners / white workers for the purpose of sport, entertainment or downright cruelty - some could argue there are traumas that continue to live on through generations that can’t be ignored.

In some cultures, animals are purely to be put to work or for the purpose of food. The very idea that they could be domesticated and be part of the family is ludicrous. Being of African descent, this is not something I can play dumb too. However, if there are many high flying African children of the same who refuse to play to type and avoid the path of doctor and lawyer, why is the math still not adding up here?

Money isn't abundant in animal care, but usually a chosen path which avoids the direct route of financial gain is more about the intrinsic satisfaction it gives you. And yes, despite what some media representation can have the world believe, ethnic minorities can do more than chase drip and clout.

Photo by Jacob Vega 

A future full of animals

I’ve always been an animal lover. I have my mother - the original black sheep of the family - to thank for that. As a child, I wanted to be a vet. Then I realised how much pain and loss I could end up seeing. So I told myself I wanted to be a lawyer… but I only did so because everyone else said the same. Truth is, I had no desire to be a lawyer. I was 7! All I knew was I loved animals, sports and poetry.

The rest of the family hated animals. I was never close to any family members outside of my mother and to date this still stands. Their hatred of animals seemed to stem from religion, which I never understood. My aunt believed that cats were secretly demons; I believed she was secretly a demon.

I’m not a follower of Christianity anymore, but as a child I was. And as a child, I couldn’t understand how someone who was obsessed with God and the bible’s teachings, could have a cruel bone in their bodies towards one of God’s creatures. But as I’d quickly come to realise, everyone has their own interpretations of religious scripture.

That's another story though...

At 18, disillusioned about life and not in college, or any other form of education, I took up volunteering for an animal charity. My mental health was not in a great place at this age, but being amongst rescue animals always felt like my sense of calm. Volunteering turned into a 2 year animal care qualification.

Though white colleagues outweighed non-white colleagues, it never felt alien being in this world. The head vet was Asian. One of my closest friends there, was Asian. On reflection however, I was one of only three students of Afro-Caribbean descent; the other two were mixed raced. Truth be known, I never thought much of it.

The assumption of black people not liking animals - or more specifically, cats - I was very well aware of. But the lack of black vets never really hit me until I was much older. To date, I don’t think I’ve ever met a black vet in person. 

Looking to the future

There are lots of animal loving black folk that I know, but yet the images of black people with animals are usually limited to dogs. Or more specifically, certain breeds of dogs. Though few and far between, I’ve seen more females of Afro-Caribbean descent in animal care than I have males. Yet, I know many black males who have animals in their lives and have a vested interest in animal welfare.

Very recently, I found myself watching a trailer to a TV show about the pregnant pets of doting owners, and it showed a black male vet. My jaw dropped. It shouldn’t. As I said, I wish this post didn’t exist.

But equally, I hope there are others out there. Proud animal lovers who see the path of animal care as a worthy job. I’ve been a volunteer and a student. I openly discuss my love of animals. Rescue animals will always have a place in my home and no house I live in is a home without an animal.

I know I’m not alone in this. In this changing world we’re in, where people are trying to challenge stereotypes and break barriers for marginalised people, I hope the narrative changes around the face of animal care. Here’s to the future vets of Afro-Caribbean descent who dare to challenge stereotypes and pave the way for a more diverse face of animal care.