Foundation Animal Care Studies Diploma

Course fees £499 – £699

Unit # 1

The Animal Body

The first unit of this Animal Care Course includes an introduction to the physiology of the companion animal through the study of body systems as well as the causes of disease that affect companion animals.

Unit # 2

Canine Care

This module explores the basic needs & care of dogs, including their nutritional needs. Learn about the daily health check & how to recognise general signs of health & ill-health in the dog. Canine care includes the provision of enrichment and exercise activities that are appropriate to various breeds and this unit contains information about this.

Unit # 3

Feline Care

Feline care involves having an understanding of the daily health check & common health problems in cats. Learn about the basic principles of first aid and gain an understanding of how to manage the first aid treatments of a range of common feline injuries. The nutritional needs of the cat are also explored in this module.

Unit # 4

Rabbit Care

The rabbit is one of the most vulnerable animals kept as a pet as their needs are often poorly understood. This unit of the animal care course provides an understanding of exercise & enrichment for rabbits, their specific nutritional requirements and also studies rabbit health & disease.

Unit # 5

Care of the Reptile & Invertebrate

This unit investigates how to care for a range of invertebrates and reptiles that are commonly kept as pets. Learn about the ecology of reptiles and invertebrates as well as accommodation, diet and welfare requirements.

Unit # 6

Small Animal Care

Small animals include the guinea pig, rodents, degu and birds. Learn how to provide adequate exercise & environmental enrichment for small animals, as well as how to recognise, prevent and respond to common health disorders. This unit includes up to date information about nutrition and appropriate foods for a range of small animals.

Animal Care and Welfare Course

The Animal Care course is relevant for anyone caring for companion animals in voluntary or paid roles and it is also relevant for pet owners wanting to learn more about animal care.

This accredited Animal Care course explores the care, husbandry and welfare of a variety of animals kept as pets, including reptiles & invertegrates. This course is designed for those working in the animal charity sector as well as pet shops, animal related businesses and the veterinary sector.

Learn about care, welfare and nutrition for a variety of companion animals including dogs, cats, small animals and reptiles. The Animal Care course also includes information about how to ensure their proper expression of behaviour through environmental enrichment.

Animal Care and Welfare

This 6 unit course concentrates on animal well-being according to a better understanding and applied interpretation of their biology.

This course includes a 1 or 2 weeks optional practical at Cheltenham Animal Shelter in Gloucestershire.

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Animal Care and Welfare Practical Placement

Cheltenham Animal Shelter is a long-established Charity which endeavours to rescue & re-home unwanted and abandoned domestic animals. Helping animals since the 1920s, CAS helps to deal with the ongoing issue of abandoned animals, taking in stray dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs as well as rodents and providing them with all necessary care until a forever loving home can be found for them.

Students who attend a highly sought-after placement at CAS as a part of this course have a fantastic hands-on opportunity supporting the Animal Care team whose rewarding job is to take care of these animals. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain highly sought after hands-on experience.

This placement includes gaining skills and knowledge in:

Kennel, cattery & small animal enclosure cleaning
Socialising and exercising a variety of companion animals
Providing enrichment activities for the animals
Home visit assessments
Shadowing the on-site Canine Behaviourist
Assist with the on-site Veterinary practice
Assisting in the Grooming parlour
Additionally, there are opportunities to be involved in fundraising/education activities which may be happening on site

Please note that students can enrol on this course without the Practical Placement. Students must be at least 16 years old to take part this placement. Students must be willing to work outdoors whatever the weather and be able to provide suitable clothing for the placement (comfortable clothing, outdoor and wet-weather resistant jackets when necessary, sturdy rubber-soled footwear and wellington boots for cleaning activities).
Placement days run from 8.30am-4pm.