Enrol Now
Level: QLS Level 2
Fees: £325 £227.50
Pay 7 monthly payments of £49.28 £35.35
This course is designed for those looking after small mammals at home, in temporary boarding, or in pet shops prior to sale. It combines essential techniques in housing, feeding and cleaning small animals, with key knowledge about small animal behaviours and characteristics.
The course consists of four compulsory units, with an optional fifth unit for those looking after larger numbers of small animals within the retail environment.
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.
What You Will Learn
Unit 1
- Introduction – Why we keep pets
- Choosing a new pet
- Suitability of the pet for the environment
- Compatibility between pet and lifestyle
- Commitment required
- Life expectancy
- Descriptions of each variety
Unit 2
- Housing and Handling
- Suitable enclosures
- Bedding
- Safe handling
- Temperature
- Indoors v outdoors
- House training rabbits
Unit 3
- Diet and Exercise
- Correct feeding
- Foods to avoid
- Poisonous foods
- Need for exercise
- Suitable toys
Unit 4
- General Health
- Individual requirements for each variety
- Care of teeth
- Claws
- Bathing
- Signs of stress and symptoms of ill health.
Unit 5 (optional)
- Customer care and the management of small mammals within the retail environment
Level and Certification
On successful completion of this course you’ll receive the Animal Care College Certificate* in Care and Management of Small Companion Animals, graded to show the standard you have reached. There are no exams.
You will also receive the Certificate of Achievement at QLS Level 2 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.
Entry Requirements
There are no prerequisites for this course. We classify our courses by level to guide students towards the best course based on their experience. However, we strongly believe open study should be just that. If you’re open to challenging yourself, our tutors will be on hand to help.
What's Next
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:
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.
How the Course Works
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.
Study Length
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.
Our Support Promise
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.
Course Fees & How to Enrol
You can:
- Pay 5 monthly payments of
£43 £31.30 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£195 £136.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 5 monthly payments of
£53 £38.30 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£245 £171.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 6 monthly payments of
£52.50 £37.75 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£295 £206.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 7 monthly payments of
£49.28 £35.35 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£325 £227.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 8 monthly payments of
£45.62 £32.68 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£345 £241.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 9 monthly payments of
£46.11 £32.94 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£395 £276.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 9 monthly payments of
£51.66 £36.83 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£445 £311.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 11 monthly payments of
£55.90 £39.68 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£595 £416.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 12 monthly payments of
£55.41 £39.29 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£645 £451.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 12 monthly payments of
£63.75 £45.12 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£745 £521.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 12 monthly payments of
£67.91 £48.04 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£795 £556.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 12 monthly payments of
£76.25 £53.87 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£895 £626.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 12 monthly payments of
£84.58 £59.70 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£995 £696.50 in one sum
You can:
- Pay 5 monthly payments of
£49 £35.50 (£20 administration fee included)
- or
- Pay the total course fee of
£225 £157.50 in one sum
Enrol NowEnrol by phone, call 0800 041 8500 or 01409 220 775
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Or to enrol with the additional retail unit…
Pay the total course plus additional retail unit fee of £345 £241.50 in one sum and receive a voucher towards the cost of your next course
or
Pay 8 monthly payments of £45.62 £32.68 (including additional unit fee) (£20 administration fee included)
To enrol with the additional retail unit please click here
Freephone
0800 041 8500 or 01409 220 775
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
