116. 1st Grade SRR: Vets Help Animals

Vets can study animals and find out facts about them, too. A vet’s main job is to help animals stay well. If an animal is sick or hurt, vets help it to get better.

There are three main kinds of vets. Many vets help little pets. Other vets tend to big farm animals. The third kind of vet works with wildlife.

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Vets that help pets, such as cats and dogs, can pet and hold them. Most pets like to be loved by people! Pets often sit still and do not mind if vets handle them.

This vet looks at a little cat. He checks its legs, nose, fur, and teeth. He asks, “Does your cat play and eat well?” He may give the cat shots to keep it well.

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Some vets help big farm animals, like cattle, goats, and sheep. These animals need checkups just like little pets. They are too big to hold, so they stand up.

If just one animal is sick, owners may take it to see the vet. Vets will drive to farms and ranches when they need to look at big herds of animals.

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Most big farm animals do not mind if people look at them, but they do not like to be held. They may bite, kick, or step on a vet’s foot. So cattle stay in pens, and vets look at just one animal at a time.

This vet is treating cattle. She checks each animal to see if it is sick. She gives it shots to help keep it well.

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Other vets work with wildlife. A vet will often study one kind of wild animal, such as birds, snakes, fish, apes, or big cats.

A wildlife vet’s job has risks. Hurt or sick animals may bite. So vets put them to sleep for a little while. Vets hurry to tend to them before they wake up. Animals that need more help may go to wildlife parks.

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This vet works at a wildlife park. Animals that stay in this park cannot hunt for food. She will plan meals for each animal. It is her job to keep them in good shape.

Wildlife vets also track the number of animals in herds. If that number is low, vets make plans to help the herd grow. Vets are the best at helping all kinds of animals!

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