National Certificate in Animal Care
Course details
| NZQF Level | 2 |
|---|
About the course
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.
. 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.
About the provider
The Wellington Institute of Technology is a tertiary institution that trains around 6,100 students every year. We offer a range of industry-led qualifications from trades through to degrees and postgraduate programmes that are future-focused, developed alongside industry and provide students with practical skills so you can pursue your career goals.
WelTec is one of New Zealand's oldest tertiary education institutions and the second-oldest in Wellington. We’ve been helping people find their vocation since 1904.