Oatridge College

The animal care industry has grown considerably in recent years, largely owing to a greater public focus on animal health and welfare issues. The industry offers a wide range of challenging but fulfilling and rewarding career opportunities.

Oatridge has provided Animal Care courses since 1997 and has developed a high level of expertise. Our teaching concentrates on practical experience and is complemented by technical knowledge and understanding.

The Animal Care Unit is based at the campus farm complex and includes a grooming room, work areas and a variety of  animal housing. Students have access to small animals, farm animals, horses and exotic animals (reptiles and amphibians).

We pride ourselves on providing students with a solid foundation of practice and theory to help them in their chosen careers. Former Animal Care students are to be found in a wide variety of roles: in animal welfare societies, zoos, wildlife parks and sanctuaries, city farms, boarding kennels and catteries, veterinary practices, grooming salons and pet superstores. Furthermore others have gone on to become dog handlers for the police, prison service and armed forces while some have opened their own business.

Like all of the disciplines at Oatridge the Animal Care courses are structured to allow a seamless progression to further study and can lead to degree level study at another institution.