A Guide to the Best Animal Care Courses Online 

Are you seeking a career that involves caring for animals and keeping them safe? Have you been searching for animal care courses online that will propel you to an exciting and fulfilling job? Well, we provide a range of accredited animal care courses that can be studied in your own time and at your own pace. 

Caring for animals is something that many of us do on a daily basis, so why not share the passion you have for your pet and channel it into a career that is hugely rewarding. Not only will you get to interact with loveable animals every day, but you will also be providing an essential service. 

Below, we have outlined a handful of animal care training courses that can lead to careers in various corners of the animal sector. So, if you want to learn more about the best animal care courses online, continue reading! 

How to Become an Animal Welfare Officer

An Animal Welfare Officer plays an important role in helping to prevent cruelty to animals, and they tend to work for animal charities, such as the RSPCA. By completing accredited animal care courses in this sector, you will be trained to work as an Animal Welfare Officer, carrying out the following day-to-day tasks: 
 

• Identify animals at risk 
• Assist animal charities and local councils with animal welfare 
• Give talks at relevant organisations and schools 

Here at Animal Courses Direct, we provide animal care training courses that are Ofqual approved, which will boost your employability and guide you towards a rewarding career in the animal care sector. 



The Level 3 Diploma Animal Welfare Officer is among our accredited animal care courses, and it provides you with everything you need to know, covering relevant legislation. With this animal care qualification, you will be able to work for councils, which will entail inspecting animal activity and welfare, as well as licensing businesses, such as: 
 

• Dog boarding kennels 
• Catteries 
• Daycare for dogs 
• Home boarding dogs 
• Dog breeding and selling 

While studying our animal care courses online, you will explore a range of topics that will get you prepared for your future role as an Animal Welfare Officer. Your animal course studies include exploring the following: 
 

• Animal welfare issues 
• Legislation 
• First aid 
• Animal handling 
• Transportation 
• Health and hygiene 
• Stress reduction 
• Stray animal management 
• Bite prevention and more! 

Animal Care Course Facts - Level 3 Diploma Animal Welfare Officer 

• Accredited – Our animal care courses, UK learners, are accredited by Open College Network, an Ofqual regulated qualification 
• Online learning – You will achieve your Animal Welfare Officer Level 3 diploma by completing a series of online assignments, which you can work through from the comfort of your own home 
• Practical training – A portion of your animal care course consists of practical training, which will take place at a workplace or venue of your choice 
• Entry requirements – You must be 16 years old or over to enrol on this accredited animal care course. This online animal care course is ideal for anyone who wants to become an Animal Welfare Officer, RSPCA Inspector, or those who currently work within animal welfare and want to boost their qualifications 
• Assessment – You will be assessed through a series of online assignments. You will also be required to provide a portfolio of evidence from your practical training to achieve your qualification
• Course validity – After enrolling on this Level 3 Diploma Animal Welfare Officer course, you will have two years to complete it 

How to Specialise in Small Animal Care and Welfare 

For those of you seeking animal care courses online that provide an in-depth understanding of small animal welfare, enrol on our Level 3 Award in Small Animal Care and Welfare. Studying one of these animal care training courses can be a stepping stone towards a range of animal-related careers, such as: 
 

• Kennel businesses 
• Animal charities 
• Rescue centres 

The animal kingdom is full of wonderful creatures, both large and small, but this accredited animal care course focuses specifically on those on the smaller end of the spectrum. These include: 
 

• Dogs 
• Cats 
• Rabbits 
• Hamsters 
• Guinea pigs 
• Small birds 
• Small reptiles

Upon successful completion of these online animal care courses, UK learners will have a solid understanding of small animal welfare, including how organisations, such as the RSPCA, Cats Protection, and the Dogs Trust, provide a significant role in welfare efforts. 

While studying these animal care courses online, you will explore the five welfare needs, which include: 
 

• Environmental needs 
• Dietary needs 
• Behavioural needs 
• Social needs 
• Healthcare needs

Animal Care Course Facts – Level 3 Award in Small Animal Care and Welfare 

• Accredited – The Awarding Organisation of this animal care course is Open College Network and is an Ofqual regulated qualification 
• Online learning – You will make your way through this animal care course online, which means that you can become a specialist in small animal care and welfare from the comfort of your own home 
• Entry requirements – Anyone aged 16 or older is eligible to enrol on our accredited animal care courses. No previous experience is necessary 
• Assessment – To achieve your Level 3 award, you will need to complete a range of in-depth assessments, based on the units covered 
• Course validity – You will have two years to complete this animal care training course, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace 

 

How to Qualify in Animal Assisted Intervention 

Working in animal welfare primarily focuses on the wellbeing of animals, but it is possible to embark on a role that involves working with animals to improve the wellbeing of humans. Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) is a type of therapy that allows animals to be the source of treatment for others. 

Our Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention is designed for individuals who are keen to work or volunteer in the animal assisted therapy sector. Not only will you get to train intelligent animals, but you will also be providing a much-needed service to individuals who need support. 

Animal Assisted Intervention services are in place to help children, adults, and elderly individuals who are living with the following: 
 

• Mental health issues 
• Physical disabilities 
• Learning disabilities 

An animal trained in assisted intervention can contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals, as well as improve their quality of life. By working in this sector, you can help animals train to provide therapeutic services to people in the following settings: 
 

• Hospitals 
• Nursing homes 
• Special needs schools 
• Prisons 
• Hospices 

Animal Care Course Facts – Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention 

• Accredited – Open College Network is the Awarding Organisation of this online animal care course, which is Ofqual regulated 
• Online learning – Our animal care training courses are delivered online, so you can achieve your Level 3 diploma from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a computer, laptop, and a stable internet connection 
• Entry requirements – To enrol on this animal care course, you need to be aged 16 or older, with no previous experience necessary 
• Assessment – There are no exams involved in this accredited animal care course. Instead, you simply need to complete a series of online assignments based on the units covered during the course 
• Course validity – You have two years to achieve your qualification, so you have the freedom and flexibility to study at a time that fits into your schedule 

Other Accredited Animal Care Courses to Consider 

Here at Animal Courses Direct, we boast a wide range of accredited animal care courses, alongside the courses already mentioned. You may also want to consider studying the following animal care courses online: 
 

• Level 3 Award in Farm Animal Studies
• Level 3 Award for Pet Care in Retail 
• Level 3 Award in Companion Animal Transportation

Enrol On Our Animal Care Courses Today! 

As well as helping you achieve a rewarding career in the animal care sector, our online animal care courses, UK learners, give you a level of flexibility that many educational institutions don’t offer. Either the entirety of our animal care courses or a portion of them can be studied online, which means that you have control over your learning journey. 

Whether you want to commit to a full day at a time or two hours a day, it is completely up to you! This favours any individuals who want to study accredited animal care courses around their existing commitments.  

To get the process started or to learn more information about our animal care courses, give our team a call on 01202 006 040 or reach out to us online. Alternatively, click below to discover more about our animal care courses. 

Also, if you adore animals, you can keep track of all upcoming animal awareness days and events with our FREE calendar! Download it here.