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Muslim Girl but I want to be a (animal) Vet

I'm 15 and a Muslim girl, can I be a vet for animals? I'm not sure if this is possible since there will be dogs in the clinic. Dogs are seen as impure in Islam. But I thought it was permissible to treat ill dogs- but NOT to keep them as pets. I need to know whether this is true or no? After college I want to go to RSPCA apprenticeships but my parents won't allow me to unless I have proof that treating/touching?! ill dogs is permissible ( preferably a hadeeth).My mom shouted at me when I told her I wanted to work with animals. It was my dream to be a vet and I feel like my aspirations have already been crushed.:puppyeyes:
(edited 3 years ago)
Original post by CraZyGirL26
I'm 15 and a Muslim girl, can I be a vet for animals? I'm not sure if this is possible since there will be dogs in the clinic. Dogs are seen as impure in Islam. But I thought it was permissible to treat ill dogs- but NOT to keep them as pets. I need to know whether this is true or no? After college I want to go to RSPCA apprenticeships but my parents won't allow me to unless I have proof that treating/touching?! ill dogs is permissible ( preferably a hadeeth).My mom shouted at me when I told her I wanted to work with animals. It was my dream to be a vet and I feel like my aspirations have already been crushed.:puppyeyes:

As long as their saliva doesnt touch you Im pretty sure its fine
Reply 2
Original post by CraZyGirL26
I'm 15 and a Muslim girl, can I be a vet for animals? I'm not sure if this is possible since there will be dogs in the clinic. Dogs are seen as impure in Islam. But I thought it was permissible to treat ill dogs- but NOT to keep them as pets. I need to know whether this is true or no? After college I want to go to RSPCA apprenticeships but my parents won't allow me to unless I have proof that treating/touching?! ill dogs is permissible ( preferably a hadeeth).My mom shouted at me when I told her I wanted to work with animals. It was my dream to be a vet and I feel like my aspirations have already been crushed.:puppyeyes:

I’m not Muslim but the veterinary profession is working hard to become more inclusive. Could you get in touch with BVEDS or animal aspirations so you could get in contact with Muslim vets to find out how they practice while staying true to your religion. Although I will warn you that it may be hard to find Muslim vets. I’m black and there are only 0.3% black vets as it’s not a very diverse profession currently but don’t let that put you off.

It is very hard to become a vet. The traditional route would be good GCSEs, and 3 a levels with at least AAB to get into university to study veterinary medicine. I’m not sure if doing an rspca apprenticeship would easily allow you to be a vet.
https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2021/07/animal-rights-in-islam-mentioned-in-quran-and-hadith

https://www.animalaspirations.com

https://bveds.com/guidance-for-prospective-vet-students/
There are people I know both currently studying on the course and have gone on to graduate as vets who follow Islam and don't seem to have a problem with treating dogs whatsoever - and they are very committed to their faith. So I suspect it is not a problem. the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (https://bveds.com/) may be worth contacting however if you have any concerns
i am curious as to what the answer is to this question. My muslim friends tell me dogs are haram so can they be a vet, im guessing it would be very difficult to be a vet in the uk without coming into contact with a dog during training or practice
Original post by CraZyGirL26
I'm 15 and a Muslim girl, can I be a vet for animals? I'm not sure if this is possible since there will be dogs in the clinic. Dogs are seen as impure in Islam. But I thought it was permissible to treat ill dogs- but NOT to keep them as pets. I need to know whether this is true or no? After college I want to go to RSPCA apprenticeships but my parents won't allow me to unless I have proof that treating/touching?! ill dogs is permissible ( preferably a hadeeth).My mom shouted at me when I told her I wanted to work with animals. It was my dream to be a vet and I feel like my aspirations have already been crushed.:puppyeyes:


did u end up applying for vet med ? Wondering as I am a Muslim girl and have applied for next year and don’t know any other Muslims
Reply 6
Try a practitioner that only does cats. Modern problems require modern solutions.
Original post by OllBoll
Try a practitioner that only does cats. Modern problems require modern solutions.

you still have to train to treat dogs so handling them is unavoidable. The ones you handle during training will likely not actually be ill so you need very specific guidance. I would echo the previous advice to contact he British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (https://bveds.com/) as this must come up regularly.
Reply 8
The Quran has nothing but positive things to say about dogs. Controversy arises in the Hadith and primarily appear to stem from concerns over rabies in feral dogs. Dogs being perceived as Haram appears to be a cultural interpretation rather than a definite law.
https://myislam.org/are-dogs-haram/

There are certainly practising Muslim vets wh treat dogs- both I n the UK and in Muslim-majority countries.
Reply 9
do you have snapchat i could help with you
Reply 10
My daughter is muslim and applying for vet med, she didnt get any offers this year unless something in clearing happens. Firstly you need high grades in GCSEs and A's at A Levels, its the hardest course in the UK to get a place at uni. There are around 20 applications for each uni place every year. You will need at least 7 in GCSE science subjects and preferable maths and english as well. Cambridge is the cheapest uni for Vet Med but you really need all 9's at GCSE and maybe 4 x A* at A Level to be considered. Can you study really really well, are you predicted grades high? Do you know most students apply for 2 to 3 years to get a place? The profession is very tough, there can be very long days and its NOT a 9-5 job. You will have to handle a variety of animals not just dogs but pigs as well, its all part of the farm course you will have to do for work experience. As for religion there is too much confusion, it is not haram to touch an animal but it is haram to eat non halal meat - there are several muslims who have become vets and they have no issues with touching dogs or any other animals. Its all about education and realising the many muslims make their own version of rules. Example I was told in Pakistan its haram to wear nailvarnish but when I questions why the ladies wore it on a wedding they said its ok to wear than - what nonsense they make up!!!
Reply 11
Original post by aishah-0000
did u end up applying for vet med ? Wondering as I am a Muslim girl and have applied for next year and don’t know any other Muslims

Hey I’m also female and Muslim and currently at Liverpool vet school x
Original post by Googley2
My daughter is muslim and applying for vet med, she didnt get any offers this year unless something in clearing happens. Firstly you need high grades in GCSEs and A's at A Levels, its the hardest course in the UK to get a place at uni. There are around 20 applications for each uni place every year. You will need at least 7 in GCSE science subjects and preferable maths and english as well. Cambridge is the cheapest uni for Vet Med but you really need all 9's at GCSE and maybe 4 x A* at A Level to be considered. Can you study really really well, are you predicted grades high? Do you know most students apply for 2 to 3 years to get a place? The profession is very tough, there can be very long days and its NOT a 9-5 job. You will have to handle a variety of animals not just dogs but pigs as well, its all part of the farm course you will have to do for work experience. As for religion there is too much confusion, it is not haram to touch an animal but it is haram to eat non halal meat - there are several muslims who have become vets and they have no issues with touching dogs or any other animals. Its all about education and realising the many muslims make their own version of rules. Example I was told in Pakistan its haram to wear nailvarnish but when I questions why the ladies wore it on a wedding they said its ok to wear than - what nonsense they make up!!!

I'm so ridiculously happy to see someone who can actually think for themselves while following a religion (to an extent that it doesn't turn into brainwashing) .
Original post by CraZyGirL26
I'm 15 and a Muslim girl, can I be a vet for animals? I'm not sure if this is possible since there will be dogs in the clinic. Dogs are seen as impure in Islam. But I thought it was permissible to treat ill dogs- but NOT to keep them as pets. I need to know whether this is true or no? After college I want to go to RSPCA apprenticeships but my parents won't allow me to unless I have proof that treating/touching?! ill dogs is permissible ( preferably a hadeeth).My mom shouted at me when I told her I wanted to work with animals. It was my dream to be a vet and I feel like my aspirations have already been crushed.:puppyeyes:

Uhh....

A lot of Muslim people have dogs as pets.



And I have a turtle!!


And I'M MUSLIM>>>>>
(edited 4 months ago)
Reply 14
Original post by TheSpicyOwl1
Uhh....
A lot of Muslim people have dogs as pets.
And I have a turtle!!
And I'M MUSLIM>>>>>

I also have a turtle lol!
Original post by rabz31
I also have a turtle lol!

COOL!!!
Reply 16
Original post by CraZyGirL26
I'm 15 and a Muslim girl, can I be a vet for animals? I'm not sure if this is possible since there will be dogs in the clinic. Dogs are seen as impure in Islam. But I thought it was permissible to treat ill dogs- but NOT to keep them as pets. I need to know whether this is true or no? After college I want to go to RSPCA apprenticeships but my parents won't allow me to unless I have proof that treating/touching?! ill dogs is permissible ( preferably a hadeeth).My mom shouted at me when I told her I wanted to work with animals. It was my dream to be a vet and I feel like my aspirations have already been crushed.:puppyeyes:

Salam,
In islam there are some rules about having dogs in the house / as a pet because their saliva is deemed unclean and I believe there is some scientific evidence to back this coming out. But regardless of how anyone feels about that,

Islam is also very strong in its opinion that caring for animals is a very pious characteristic to have. And this absolutely extends to dogs like the hadith about the woman whose sins were forgiven just for giving water to a thirsty dog. All living creatures are creatures of God and deserve to be shown care and kindness.

I think if you touch a dog, your wudhu is broken (I think there are differences of opinion on this), but that doesnt mean you cant touch a dog or show it kindness. If you feel really passionate about this, don't give up! MashaAllah there aren't enough muslim vets. Maybe you would need to do extra cleaning of yourself and your clothes after handling certain animals, but caring for a needy animal is a very beautiful and blessed thing.
(edited 4 months ago)

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