Animal Care and Management Course

This course provides a grounding in a wide range of relevant subject areas connected with caring for and managing animals including cats, dogs, rodents, lizards, snakes, birds and fish.

You’ll be introduced to legislation and social debate regarding the welfare and use of animals for food, farming, science and entertainment.

The course consists of ten units, covering areas such as animal behaviour, health and welfare, nutrition and accommodation of most domestic species.

We send your first unit upon enrolment, so you can start whenever you want, and progress through the course at your own pace, studying when and where you choose.

• Lesson One
• Understanding the Behaviour of Animals – Mammals and Reptiles
• Dogs
• Cats
• Rabbits
• Ferrets
• Rodents
• Reptiles
• Behavioural Problems
• Lesson Two
• Understanding the Behaviour of Animals – Fish and Birds
• Fish
• Birds
• Behavioural Problems
• Lesson Three
• Measuring and Recording Behaviour
• Why Measure Behaviour?
• Describing Behaviour
• Types of Measurement
• Levels of Measurement
• Sampling and Recording Behaviour
• Interpreting and Displaying Your Data
• Lesson Four
• Animal Accommodation
• Caring for Dogs and Cats
• Keeping Rabbits
• Keeping Ferrets
• Keeping Rodents
• Caring for Reptiles
• Keeping Fish
• Keeping Birds
• Lesson Five
• Animal Feeding
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Feeding Dogs and Cats
• Nutrition for Rabbits and Rodents
• Feeding Ferrets
• Reptile Nutrition
• Feeding Fish
• Birds Diet
• Lesson Six
• Handling and Restraint
• Mammals
• Reptiles
• Birds
• Fish
• Lesson Seven
• Identifying the Causes of Ill Health in Animals
• Fungi
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Secondary Diseases
• Lesson Eight
• Understanding the Treatment of Common Diseases and Infections
• Diagnosing Disease and Infection
• Treatment for Bacterial, Fungal and Viral Pathogens
• Treatment for Bacterial and Fungal Diseases
• Treatment for Viruses
• Treatment for Parasitic Diseases
• Lesson Nine
• Laws Governing Animal Welfare
• The Five Freedoms
• Legislation in the UK
• Lesson Ten
• Looking at Animals in Society
• Changing Views of Animals
• Animals for Food Production
• Animals for Entertainment, Sport and Leisure
• Scientific Testing and Research Using Animals

On successful completion of this course you’ll receive the Animal Care College Certificate* in Animal Care and Management, graded to show the standard you have reached. There are no exams.

You will also receive the Certificate of Achievement at QLS Level 3 when you complete this course**.

Quality Licence Scheme endorsement involves robust and rigorous quality audits by external auditors to ensure quality is continually met. A review of courses is carried out as part of the endorsement process.

* The Animal Care College Certificate will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.

** QLS registration fees included.

You do not need to have any additional qualifications before studying this course.

This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress your career in the animal care sector, or better understand your own pet.

Once it’s completed, you may wish to further your study. If that’s the case, we’d suggest:

• Working and Caring for Animals in Pet Shops Course
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology Course
• Breeding Course

If you are looking to set up your own business then you should consider obtaining insurance cover. Further information is available on request.

If you’d like to turn what you’ve learned into a career, or you’re wondering how best to apply it to your existing role, get in touch with one of our tutors, or contact our support team from 9am – 5pm.

Your first unit will be sent to you when you enrol, you can start as soon as you want and progress through the course at your own pace, studying when and where you choose.

Your course materials are broken down into manageable units and will include helpful guidance and advice as well as additional reading lists and tools to signpost where you can source further information. We would encourage you to carry out wider reading and research on topics covered in the course materials.

Your learning materials have been developed by experts so studying is easy and enjoyable. At the end of each unit, there will be an assessment to complete and submit to your tutor.

Studying with the Animal Care College is a great place to start your learning journey and will give you a solid grounding in animal care subjects.

The Animal Care College’s courses promote the best care of pets at all stages of their development. We believe working and engaging with animals is a deeply rich and rewarding experience. Although the theory learning is important, being able to put your skills into practice beyond the theory is even more so. We are here to help you every step of the way as you build meaningful bonds with animals and gain in-depth knowledge that can only be obtained by working directly with animals. We can help advise on potential placements and work experience where necessary.

There are no deadlines for this course. Simply study in the comfort of your own home, and in your own time.

Distance learning is designed to be flexible, but as a guide, students who can spend 4-6 hours a week studying tend to complete a single unit within a month.

You can contact our support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, at any point during your studies – to ask questions or for advice. Your tutor will mark your lessons, giving valuable, constructive feedback – helping you to master each step before moving on to the next. You can contact them for support or advice throughout your studies.