Work experience in abbatoir

I can't find one in Essex willing to take me either :frown:

Not that I particularly want to go to one... I did find one who was able to, but it seemed there was never a day convenient for us both. As for how to put it, I think I used 'observe' and just asked if I could pop in and have a chat with them about their work etc...

Reply 2

Robber's ghost

At the moment I'm looking for some work experience in an abbatoir (for vet science).

I was wondering if anyone else has done this, and what it involves.

Also, is there a specific thing I should ask to do there, like "observe" or "shadow", or something? (this for when I write to or E-mail them).

Lastly, I'm having touble finding any abbatoirs in my local area (I live in Southampton). Does anyone know of how I might get into contact with one?

Thanks.

Is working in an abbatoir useful training for a vet? Wouldn't you do better to volunteer for the local humane society/RSPCA? Or simply find a local equestrian center and hang out with the horses?

Maybe I'm missing the point but I shouldn't have thought that "shadowing" someone on the "kill floor" would be that useful.

Reply 3

Howard

Is working in an abbatoir useful training for a vet? Wouldn't you do better to volunteer for the local humane society/RSPCA? Or simply find a local equestrian center and hang out with the horses?

All these things are really important too.

Howard

Maybe I'm missing the point but I shouldn't have thought that "shadowing" someone on the "kill floor" would be that useful.

But this is really strongly suggested. It basically shows that you don't have an emotional attachment to animals (although I do) and understand that they are killed every day (I don't!) and don't get upset, feel sick, turn into extremist animal rights' activist vet student.

Reply 4

gonnabavet

But this is really strongly suggested. It basically shows that you don't have an emotional attachment to animals (although I do) and understand that they are killed every day (I don't!) and don't get upset, feel sick, turn into extremist animal rights' activist vet student.

Ahhh. I see the point now. I hadn't thought about that.

Reply 5

Howard

Ahhh. I see the point now. I hadn't thought about that.

I was shocked when I first started looking into the work exp. I needed, but it makes sense... Still makes me sick, but prob won't tell my interviewers that..

Reply 6

Robber's ghost

OP

Howard

Is working in an abbatoir useful training for a vet? Wouldn't you do better to volunteer for the local humane society/RSPCA? Or simply find a local equestrian center and hang out with the horses?

Maybe I'm missing the point but I shouldn't have thought that "shadowing" someone on the "kill floor" would be that useful.

I think it's to show that you can handle death and guts and so on. Plus a lot of vets end up working in the meat industry.

Reply 7

Hawk

1

Howard

Is working in an abbatoir useful training for a vet? Wouldn't you do better to volunteer for the local humane society/RSPCA? Or simply find a local equestrian center and hang out with the horses?

Maybe I'm missing the point but I shouldn't have thought that "shadowing" someone on the "kill floor" would be that useful.

There are Vets who permanently work in abattoirs. They have to ensure that the animals are being slaughtered humanely, that the food passing through the system is safe to enter the human food chain and also to look out for disease etc. which can then be traced back to a specific herd to prevent spread.
I went to abattoir for a day and learned alot more than I expected. You get to see alot of pathology and off course dissection :p:

I spent most of the day with the Vet inspecting carcasses, however I went to an Over-30-months plant and so it may be a little different from that which will enter the food chain.

Reply 8

Robber's ghost

OP

gonnabavet

I was shocked when I first started looking into the work exp. I needed, but it makes sense... Still makes me sick, but prob won't tell my interviewers that..

I'm kind of worried that I might vomit or something. Apparently the smell of blood is really strong.

I nearly passed out on my first ever work experience placement. It was a bitch spay and they cut the dog open while it's chest was still moving, and blood kept spurting out of the incision . . .

Anyway after that I was fine, but it's been a while since then.

Reply 9

Robber's ghost

I'm kind of worried that I might vomit or something. Apparently the smell of blood is really strong.

I nearly passed out on my first ever work experience placement. It was a bitch spay and they cut the dog open while it's chest was still moving, and blood kept spurting out of the incision . . .

Anyway after that I was fine, but it's been a while since then.

I'll never forget the first time I was in a room with a dead dog. It had been euthanased 12 hours before but the owners wanted to come and say goodbye blah blah blah :p:

so we had to leave it on an old ops table, and I have heard people say 'The smell of death' before but I never imagined it! It's the sweetest sickliest smell, it's one you just can't forget. Imagine that in an abattoir x 1000! But you may well vomit, there isn't really much you can do, it's not as though that is going to be your job, although obviously you will encounter alot of blood and stuff, but you probably won't be slaughtering animals all day, or around slaughtered animals all day, unless you do work in the meat industry. I don't think anyone would think badly of you if you were sick, you don't HAVE to deal with it really do you. And in some of them, their methods sound horrific, so try and find one that is definitely well reputed. And not a horse one!!!!

I hate it when that happens with animals still moving under anaesthetic... urgh!!!!

Reply 10

Hawk

There are Vets who permanently work in abattoirs.

Really? All those years of training and all that knowledge to watch Daisy being slaughtered and spend one's days examining carcasses. Not my idea of fun. I think I'd rather be a vet of the James Herriot variety.

Reply 11

Howard

Really? All those years of training and all that knowledge to watch Daisy being slaughtered and spend one's days examining carcasses. Not my idea of fun. I think I'd rather be a vet of the James Herriot variety.

Lol, James Herriot vets are kinda fictional, it's all gory no matter what. I think vets who decide to work in abbatoirs permanently are those who:

1. Can 100% deal with it!
2. Want to make sure the slaughters are 'humane' and the welfare of the animals beforehand is good enough.

Reply 12

gonnabavet

Lol, James Herriot vets are kinda fictional, it's all gory no matter what. I think vets who decide to work in abbatoirs permanently are those who:

1. Can 100% deal with it!
2. Want to make sure the slaughters are 'humane' and the welfare of the animals beforehand is good enough.

What? You mean James Herriot isn't real? I'd always rather fancied myself driving around in an old landrover in a tweed jacket and stopping off for a pint of real ale and ploughmans lunch on the way to help deliver a foal. You've destroyed my image of what being a vet is all about. Bastard! :smile:

Reply 13

Sheilz001

6

I spent a day at an abbotoir last year and i really didnt mind it... well didnt eat meat that day... after that i was fine tho. I found it all really interesting and it really wasnt what i expected. Also they asked me a lot about it at my interview and it was something i could really talk about. They vet that showed me round was really nice, i suppose that did help a lot. I would reccomend going, even just for a few hours, also it is another aspect of veterinary work, which u may come accross.
Hope this helps a little :biggrin:

Oh Btw, the smell is really bad, probably worse than you can imagin, but thats the only really bad part of it, and you get used to it after a while.

Reply 14