National Certificate in Animal Care

This qualification recognises the core knowledge and skills required by people working in various sectors of the animal care and handling industry. Sectors might include veterinary practices, animal laboratories, pet shops, kennels and catteries, animal welfare agencies such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), zoological and wildlife parks, and search and rescue services. Holders of the qualification are able to:
. demonstrate knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology, behaviour, and husbandry
. recognise signs of health, ill-health, and problem behaviour in specific animal groups
. handle, transport, and provide emergency first aid to companion animals
. demonstrate and apply knowledge of safe working practices and animal facility environment hygiene
. demonstrate knowledge of standards for ethical behaviour in relation to animals
. demonstrate a range of other knowledge and skills related to a specific animal care and/or handling role.

The flexible structure of the qualification allows a high degree of portability between sectors of the animal care and handling industry. People with a special area of interest such as boarding kennels or pet shops can select elective standards that are relevant to their sector.

The rules in Elective A are set with the intention that candidates will choose 'monitoring health and providing husbandry' standards for both cats and dogs and for at least one other group of animals; or choose one of cats or dogs, and at least two other groups of animals. To allow this to occur, standards 5148 and 7337 have been included in Set A as well as Set B of Elective A.

This qualification may lead to other animal care and handling qualifications, including the National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing [Ref: 0221], which is at Level 5. All the standards listed in the National Certificate in Animal Care [Ref: 0241] are also listed in the National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing.

This qualification may also lead on to the proposed National Certificate in Animal Care (Rural Animal Technician) with strands in Production Animals, and Equine.

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) provides quality tertiary education and training across a wide range of subjects and qualifications. From certificates to postgraduate studies, we offer NZQA programmes for students to learn at a level and pathway that suits them.

We are home to the Zero Fees Scheme and are the only tertiary provider in New Zealand to offer a no tuition cost education to domestic NZ students for every year of study, at all levels.

We offer SIT programmes at campuses in Invercargill, Christchurch, Queenstown, Gore, and online through SIT2LRN Distance Learning.

We also have specialised faculties in music and rural education - MAINZ – Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (Christchurch) and Telford in Balclutha, South Otago.