Are you an animal lover looking for paid writing jobs with animal magazines and blogs? You can find paying freelance work in the animal niche (especially if you’ve got formal training or tons of practical experience with certain types of animals).
Some animal publications pay poorly, but if you can offer in-demand expertise (your own or through interviews), you can land better-paying gigs with bigger-budget magazines and blogs.
Do I Need to Be an Animal Expert to Get Paid to Write about Animals?
It helps if you have some formal training in animal care or have taken care of unusual animals for a long time (but it’s not a requirement usually). The more exotic the animals, the more specialized knowledge and experience will help you get the freelance gig.
Do you know a few animal experts you could interview? Check out what kind of articles the publication does and figure out how you could do a compelling interview with someone with great information. You could convince animal magazines and blogs to hire you if you have access to experts.
If you’re looking for horse freelance writer jobs, we have another list of paying horse and horse-riding magazines and blogs.
Is It Easy to Get Freelance Writing Gigs as a Cat or Dog Writer?
You can find plenty of dog and cat writing jobs as a freelance writer, but you’ll also find a whole bunch of people who love writing about dogs and cats (even for free).
To get a great-paying cat or dog writing gig, you’ll need to stand out from the competition. You can do it with an amazing portfolio, access to experts, or your own (preferably official) expertise in cat or dog care.
The fastest way is to start talking to experts and come up with some irresistible pitches (after you’ve read the publications’ blogs and magazine).
Animal Writing Jobs for Freelance Writers
Amazonas Magazine and Coral Magazine
Amazonas and Coral Magazines and websites write about aquariums (and everything you need to know if you have one or want to build one). Amazonas focuses on freshwater aquariums and Coral on salt-water aquariums. If you’re already slightly obsessed with aquariums, take a look at their site and magazine. You’ll find sample editions on the website. And remember to check out the photos (an important part of most articles for these publications). You can also write blog articles for them, but they pay much more for the magazines.
- Homepage: https://www.reef2rainforest.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.reef2rainforest.com/contributor-guidelines/
- Pay: We hear $100 to $600.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: Yes.
American Falconry
Know someone who practices the ancient tradition of falconry? When we say there’s a publication for nearly everything, we’re not kidding. American Falconry Magazine and website pay writers for stories about its history, techniques, gear, and more. You can read more about it on the site or in the magazine. As with most of these hobby and sports magazines, taking photos to go with the story is indispensable (and can make or break your pitch).
- Homepage: https://www.americanfalconry.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.americanfalconry.com/writersguidelines.html
- Pay: Starting at $100.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: No.
Audubon Society
If you’re already into birdwatching and reading about them, maybe it’s time to start making some money writing about it. The Audubon Society’s magazine pays freelance writers. You can dive into the articles on the website or a selection of articles from the magazine. The writer guidelines are on the light side (but you do get a list of the editors). Use the stories available online to create a pitch that fits their publishing style.
- Homepage: https://www.audubon.org/
- Contributor info: https://www.audubon.org/about-audubon-magazine
- Pay: We hear from 20 to 40 cents a word (for 1000 to 2000 word articles).
- Contributor byline: Yes. with a photo.
- Contributor bio: No, but you get a writer’s page.
Bee Culture
Bee Culture Magazine and blog write about American beekeeping. Yes, lots of how-to, gear, and pollination articles for sure, but also political issues, marketing, dealing with disease, and pesticides too. Everything a new (or experienced) beekeeper needs to know. Profiles of important figures in beekeeping and how to market your products are both on their wish list for topics. Over one-third (closer to half) of their articles are freelance written (yay for you). Send them a proposal or outline after you’ve read their blog and magazine. You can send completed articles (but they’d really prefer proposals). Read their detailed writer guidelines and then get to it.
- Homepage: https://www.beeculture.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.beeculture.com/write-us/
- Pay: $150 to $200 for 1000-2000 word articles (sometimes more for assigned pieces).
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: No.
Birdwatching Magazine
If you’re an avid birdwatcher, you probably already read Birdwatching Magazine. But you might not realize you could get paid to write for them. Read through the blog and magazine before sending a letter of introduction with a few pitch ideas. Make sure to show off your birdwatching know-how in your pitch (and mention if you already read their blog or magazine).
- Homepage: https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/the-magazine/submission-guidelines/
- Pay: $400 for feature articles.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: No.
Catser
Yes, you can get paid to write about cats at Catser (formerly Cat Fancy Magazine). You’ll have a better chance of getting paid writing gigs with specialized knowledge and experience, portfolio pieces that show off your cat writing abilities, and/or a kickass pitch that shows how well you know their audience. Read through the blog and magazine before sending your pitch.
- Homepage: https://www.catster.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.catster.com/meet-team-catster
- Pay: We hear $75.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: Yes, a short one with a photo (on the blog).
Dogster
If you’re dreaming about writing for fellow dog lovers, take a look at Dogster Magazine (formerly Dog Fancy). Read a few back issues and the blog before sending your pitch. Make sure to show off any expert knowledge or experience you have in your pitches and mention your previous dog writing experience if you have it.
- Homepage: https://www.dogster.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.dogster.com/contact-dogster-editors
- Pay: We hear $75.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: Yes, a short one with a photo (on the blog).
Earth Island Journal
Earth Island Journal wants stories about wildlife, conservation, and anything that affects the natural habitats of animals. Have you got a story about a person or group making progress with environmental causes? This publication wants them. Even stories about groups outside the US are welcome. Your idea should be interesting on a national or international level (no local-only stories with a limited audience, please). If you’re new to writing, try pitching an online piece (and let them get to know ya).
- Homepage: https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/
- Contributor info: https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/page/writers-photographers-guidelines
- Pay: 25 cents a word for magazine articles (usually $750 to $1000 for a 4000-word feature story). Online stories are normally $100.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: Yes, a short one.
Fido Friendly Magazine
Fido Friendly Magazine and blog pay writers for articles about traveling with your dogs. You can pitch stories on fido-friendly cities, restaurants, stores, activities, plus other travel-related pieces (how-to, essays, interviews, and more). Send an email asking for more detailed guidelines.
- Homepage: https://www.fidofriendly.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.fidofriendly.com/contact
- Pay: We hear 10 to 25 cents a word.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: Yes.
Hobby Farms
Hobby Farms (and its sister publication Chickens) helps small farmers with helpful articles about starting and maintaining a successful farm. Urban, rural, and even suburban farmers follow their advice. We hear they pay decent rates for freelance articles. But they’re not giving out advice about how to pitch them. You’ll have to get to know their readers through their already published material. Once you’ve done your research, pitch them something their subscribers can’t resist.
- Homepage: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/
- Contributor info: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/about-us/
- Pay: We hear $300 or more.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: Yes, a short one with a photo.
Homestead Blog
Got some practical advice for aspiring homesteaders? The Homestead blog might pay you to write about it. Send them an email with 3 pitch ideas. Before you do that, go over their already-published posts to make sure your ideas are fresh and new. Their writer guidelines give you plenty of details to help you do it.
- Homepage: https://www.homestead.org/
- Contributor info: https://www.homestead.org/write-for-homestead-org/contribute/
- Pay: $100 for 1000 to 2500 word articles.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: No, but you get a writer’s page.
Just Labs Magazine and Blog
If you’ve got a special love for (or knowledge about) Labrador Retrievers, you could get paid writing jobs with Just Labs Magazine and blog. They’re looking for practical articles on puppy issues, health, feeding, breeding, and plenty of other topics (read through the guidelines, magazine, and blog for more details). Send pitches only.
- Homepage: https://justlabsmagazine.com/
- Contributor info: https://justlabsmagazine.com/guidelines/
- Pay: from $200 to $450.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: No.
Reptiles Magazine
Want to get paid to write about reptiles? Reptiles Magazine and blog are looking for freelance writer pitches for their beginner to expert reptile-loving readers. You can send queries about breeding pet reptiles and amphibians, health, conservation, and searching for them in the wild. Use your own expertise or borrow some with an interview. Read their guidelines, the magazine, and the blog before sending a pitch.
- Homepage: https://reptilesmagazine.com
- Contributor info: https://reptilesmagazine.com/writers-guidelines//
- Pay: We hear $300 to $400.
- Contributor byline: Yes.
- Contributor bio: Yes.
This List Needs YOUR Help!
Have you written for one of these blogs? Will you tell us about your experience?
Or do you know of another blog that pays at least $50 per post on animal topics?
If you’ve got a tip about a blog that pays writers $50+, please send it to teambafb@gmail.com in exchange for our undying gratitude — thank you for your service.
