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Certificate in Animal Care
This one-year full-time course is for people who wish to work in an animal care related industry.
A high level of commitment is expected and required of students in order to successfully achieve all areas of this course.
The course consists of 21 units and covers:
F6SJ 11 Animal Care: Small Animal Feeding
Provides knowledge of the functions of nutrients and nutritional requirements for a range of companion animals during each life-stage and the practical application of this knowledge.
F6SK 11 Animal Care: Health Care
Provides both practical and theory knowledge of signs of health/ill-health, routine health care and first aid procedure in a range of companion animals.
F6SL 11 Animal Care: Anatomy & Physiology of Mammals
Provides knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of animals to aid in their care and welfare.
F6SM 11 Animal Care: Accommodation & Handling
Provides both practical and theory knowledge on providing and maintaining appropriate accommodation and the handling techniques of a range of companion animals.
F6SN 11 Animal Care: Avian Care
Teaches the identification, care and requirements of types of bird for life in a cage or aviary.
F6SP 11 Animal Care : Ornamental Fish Care
Teaches the identification, care and requirements of types of fish for life in an aquarium or pond.
F6SR 11 Animal Care: Reptile & amphibian Care
Provides an introduction to the identification, husbandry requirements and health/disease issues of reptiles and amphibians.
F6T2 11 Animal Care: Safe Working Practices
This unit allows students to achieve and apply the skills and knowledge of work-related hazards and Health and Safety legislation in relation to the care of small animals.
F38W 10 Skills for Customer Care
This unit allows students to achieve the skills and knowledge needed to create positive working relationships and to communicate with a range of customers.
F6SS 11 Animal Care: Breeding
This unit allows students to achieve and apply knowledge in the breeding of small animals.
F6ST 11 Animal Care: An Introduction to Dog Training
This unit allows students to achieve the skills and knowledge needed to perform basic dog training routines.
F6SV 11 Animal Care: Farm Livestock
This unit allows students to acquire knowledge of the basic principles of the care of farm and other domestic livestock.
F6SW 10 Horses: Basic Handling
This unit allows students to achieve the skills and knowledge needed to catch and tie up a horse.
F6T1 10 Work Environment Maintenance
This unit allows students to develop practical skills required to perform certain practical tasks for maintaining and improving the work environment.
F6SX 11 Animal Care: An Introduction to Dog Grooming
This unit allows students to achieve the skills and knowledge needed to identify different dog breeds, carry out routine health tasks associated with grooming and prepare dogs for grooming.
F6T6 11 Horse Care: Stable and Grass Routine
This unit allows students to achieve the skills and knowledge needed to care for a horse, under supervision, on a day-to-day basis in the stable and in the field.
F19M 11 First Aid
The student is provided with the information and skills required to handle a 1st aid situation and to enable them to know the principles and rules of 1st aid at work.
F3GB 11 Communication
This unit allows students to develop the ability to respond to and produce written and oral communication.
F3GC 11 Information Communication Technology
This unit allows students to develop skills in using a computer system to carry out some straightforward processing tasks.
F3GF 10 Numeracy
This unit allows students to develop skills of interpretation and communication of straightforward graphs and the use of basic numerical skills in everyday situations.
F7GC 12 Animal Care: Animal Survival Behaviour
This unit introduces the students to the study of animal behaviour, focusing on the survival aspects of behavioural ecology. Students will develop their knowledge of survival strategies adopted by a variety of animal species with regard to energy balance, reproductive strategy and social behaviour.
Entry requirements
Essential
- Core Skills at Intermediate 1 level or above. This requirement can be tested at interview
- Candidates must have at least 2 weeks formal work experience within the animal industry, this must be sought by the candidate. We do not have a list of employers but make the following suggestions:
Local Pet Farms Veterinary Surgeries Boarding Kennels
Boarding Catteries Stables Dog Groomers
Scottish SPCA centre Dogs Trust
Please feel free to use your initiative. A letter must be produced from your work placement employer confirming your employment.
Progression
Progression to HNC is at the discretion of the College and students may be eligible to progress under the following circumstances:
Successful completion of all units on the Certificate course including the achievement of Communications at intermediate 2 level at first attempt.
Compulsory 2 weeks work experience can be undertaken in any animal related business and provides students with an insight into working in a particular environment. This is only necessary for students wishing to progress on to HNC. However all students are actively encouraged to take part as this can be an extremely valuable experience.
Completion of required small animal duties and weekend duties and having shown a high level of commitment.
Additional information
SSPCA experience - Students will spend several mornings working at the SSPCA Welfare Centre at Balerno to gain extra experience in a different environment and with different species.
External Visits - Students visit several establishments to observe how animals are housed/cared for and handling sessions with some exotic species.
Weekday & weekend duties within the animal care unit are an integral part of the course
Start date
September each year
Finish date
Early June each year