When you enrol on an animal care and welfare apprenticeship with us you have options available that will allow you to focus your development best suited to your work placement. These options are called pathways and here, Animal Care Area Manager, Kirsten Clements, explains what they involve for this qualification.
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Animal Interaction and Handling
The animal interaction and handling pathway is ideal for those working in most animal care sector environments including farm parks, doggy day care, kennels, and zoo’s where you are regularly interacting with a range of species or breeds of animals.
You will learn how to prepare animals for handling, understand signs which indicate the mental and physical condition of the animal in response to handling or interactions and apply techniques which consider the animal’s welfare and wellbeing.
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Movement and Transportation
The movement and transportation pathway is designed for those working in an establishment such as a kennel, animal rescue, cattery, zoo, or wildlife sanctuary environment if you are regularly involved with the transportation process of animals.
You will learn the different animals’ requirements, for example life stage, internal and external environmental factors, climate control and noise, as well as how to monitor the physical and emotional health and welfare of animals during and after movement and transportation.
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Operational/Reception Duties
The operational/reception duties pathway is tailored for those that have an involvement in customer service engagement both internally and externally, such as a veterinary practice, pet retailer or animal rescue centre.
You will learn the extent of information, advice, support, and guidance on a range of topics such as animal welfare given to customers within own responsibility, as well as how to take payment for goods and prepare and display stock for sale, including stock rotation.
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Rehoming
The rehoming pathway is made for those working in an animal rescue centre or beginning a keeper role, where you would take in animals, and be involved in the rehoming process to a new owner.
You will learn about the facilities, care and attention required by different animals, the animal intake processes in line with workplace policies and procedures and provide advice to customers/clients on the suitability of animals according to their circumstances and experience.
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Wildlife Rehabilitation
This pathway is the right choice for those working with wildlife animals daily, such as rehabilitation centre.
You will learn the differences between treating and interacting with domestic and wildlife species, the basic legal and ethical implications pertaining to wildlife rehabilitation and transport and how to capture and handle healthy and casualty wild animals.
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Which pathway is right for you?
Which pathway is the most suitable for you is decided with guidance from your Trainer Coach and chosen employer, who will take into full consideration your career aims and aspirations, what you are wanting to achieve, and what your employer is able to offer you in terms of facilities and training.
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If you are thinking of a career working with animals and would like more information, or some advice and guidance, get in touch today!
We are also delighted to offer tailored apprenticeships for dog groomers and keepers/aquarists.
These are our options in England. To find out about our animal care apprenticeships in Wales, just click here.