Work experience with animals for 14yo in North London?

[Echobelly]

DS is in Y10 and supposed to sort out work experience for spring - he'd love to do something with animals, which I know would be popular, but the main problem is he's only 14 and thus far everywhere has a minimum age of 16; he's tried an agricultural college and some zoos/petting zoos.

Thinking maybe local stables will be better as they might be more used to younger people helping out?

Any ideas -and if you know anywhere in North London that you think might be a goer, very glad of any suggestions!

Cat cafe? (Think is a cafe where you can pet cats, rather than a cafe that serves cat. And I don't mean as customers.)

I was going to suggest a local riding school - i’m not local to your area though so can’t help with suggestions of places to ask

What about pets at home? He would still some animals.

Boarding kennels or a cattery?

That had just occurred to me - there is one near us. I've also just looked up independent pet stores in the area, and there is at least one - because I wonder if a small operation will be more open/able to have someone younger.

There's a cattery not far from us as well, which we thought about the other day.

DH reckons we might have a better chance if we take DS to a few places in person and ask about it, as that way you might at least strike a rapport that might fend off a straight 'no'.

Vets, city farms, cat or dog shelters, dog groomers?