Become a Home Boarder, Dog Walker or Pet Sitter

Pathway Summary
Pathway Details
Fees & How to Enrol

Being entrusted with the care of someone’s beloved pet is a huge responsibility. This pathway will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills you need to provide a successful, professional service to your clients.

By studying techniques in best practice home boarding, alongside issues such as transport and health and safety, you’ll be able to provide a professional level of care. This pathway is made up of the following areas of study:

  • Pet Sitting, Dog Walking and Home Boarding
  • Health, Safety, Legal and Associated Issues
  • Transport and Restraint

Level: QLS Level 3 Fees:

£645 £451.50
Pay 12 monthly payments of £55.41 £39.29

***Saving you compared with taking these courses individually***

Entry Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this pathway. As a general guide, we recommend students looking to take one of our pathways should have some experience in their chosen field. However, we strongly believe open study should be just that. If you want to challenge yourself, our tutors will be on hand to help.

Our Support Promise

You can phone or email your tutor at any point during your course – to ask questions, for advice, encouragement or to draw on their wealth of knowledge.

You can also contact the support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

What You’ll Learn

Pet Sitting, Dog Walking and Home Boarding

Unit 1

  • Basic legislation
  • Licensing
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Records
  • Banking and taxes

Unit 2

  • Signs of health
  • Basic veterinary terminology
  • Methods of restraint
  • First aid
  • Caring for geriatric animals
  • Giving medication

Unit 3 

  • The five freedoms
  • Basic principles of nutrition, utensils and hygiene
  • Identification of breeds and basic grooming
  • General care and management of small companion animals
  • Health problems of small animals
  • Infectious diseases of dogs and cats
  • Disinfectants and disinfections

Unit 4 

  • The management of other small domestic pets
  • Zoonotic diseases

Health, Safety, Legal and Associated Issues

Unit 1

  • Customer Service and Care
  • Client Distress
  • Personal Safety
  • Health and Safety
  • Prevention of Ill Health and Accidents
  • Risk Assessment
  • First Aid
  • Legal Issues
  • Environmental Issues
  • Insurance

Transport and Restraint

Section 1 explains the animals emotions and fear involved in being restrained or moved and the handlers responsibility to ensure the experience is as stress free as possible. The different ways of restraining an animal are also discussed.

Section 2 covers the regulations involved in transporting animals and the comfort and safety of the animal whilst being moved.

You will have the opportunity to complete a Special Study on a topic of your choice, relevant to the course.

Certification

On successful completion of this course you’ll receive the Certificate of Achievement at QLS Level 3 from Quality Licence Scheme 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.

You will also receive the Animal Care College Certificate* in Become a Home Boarder, Dog Walker or Pet Sitter, graded to show the standard you have reached. There are no exams.

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

** QLS registration fees included.

Study Length

There are no deadlines for this pathway. 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.

What's Next

This pathway can help you progress in your career in the animal care sector.

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

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

You can get in touch with one of our tutors, or contact our support team from 9am - 5pm.

Course fee & how to enrol

This career pathway combines 3 of our individual courses, providing students with a clear and comprehensive path towards a career in animal care. What’s more, when you take this pathway, you’ll save, compared to taking each course on its own. 

There are two ways you can enrol

Pay the total course fee of £645 £451.50 in one sum and receive a £50 voucher towards the cost of your next course

or

Pay 12 monthly payments of £55.41 £39.29 (£20 administration fee included)