There are all kinds of jobs that work with animals that you may just not have found yet; veterinarians and zoo workers are obvious, but what about training therapy animals, working with animals in movies, pet sitting and grooming?

Don't worry about working a dead-end job. I'm 41 and work at a dead-end job. But outside that I'm working on my passion of writing. So go ahead and get that dead-end job to pay for the bills and start checking out your options for working with animals in whatever way works out; maybe education or mentorships or something.

As far as motivation ... some depression might be holding you back and could be worth checking on.