Working and Caring for Animals in Pet Shops

Unit 1

• The Animal Welfare Act
• The five freedoms
• Responsibility for serving customers and looking after the animals in a pet shop
• The retail environment
• Contact with the general public
• Animals and their care
• Health and Safety at Work Act
• Employer’s duties
• The Pet Animals Act

Care and Management of Small Companion Animals

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

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

On successful completion of this pathway you’ll receive the Animal Care College Certificate* in our ‘Work in a Pet Shop – Small Animals’ programme, 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.

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.

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:

• Caring for Animals – Rabbits
• Transport and Restraint

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 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.

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.

When you take this pathway, you’ll save over £120*, compared to taking each course on its own.