Level 1 SEG Awards ABC Certificate in Practical Animal Care Skills

About the course

This course provides an introduction to the care of a variety of domestic animals. This is a very practical course and areas of study include feeding, cleaning and handling animals as well as units covering health and safety and skills development in land based industries. Time is spent both in the classroom and working with the College’s animal collection.

Location: Croxteth Park (Liverpool) or Warrington (Walton Hall)
Course length: One year
Available course dates: Please select a start date & location before you apply.

Location: Croxteth Park (Liverpool)
Start date: September

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Location: Warrington (Walton Hall)
Start date: September

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Course modules

Year 1

Year 1

Assist with the care of animals

The learner will be able to assist with the care of animals, including monitoring the health and condition of the animals and providing feed and water.

Assist with maintaining the health and wellbeing of animals

This unit covers the main principles of maintaining the health and wellbeing of animals and enabling learners to assist and recognise potential animal emergency situations

Assist with feedstuffs of small animals

The learner will be able to receive, store and prepare animal feedstuffs and comply with the health and safety requirement

Assist with the movement, handling and accommodation of animals

Animal movement, restraint and handling are key elements of working with animals. Correct techniques ensure that the welfare of animals and the health and safety of the individual are maintained. This unit will cover a range of techniques and equipment and can be tailored to specific species and/or systems.

Principles of the care of animals

The learner will be able to describe the care of animals, including monitoring the health and condition of the animals and providing feed and water, including appropriate health and safety requirements

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

A keen interest in animal care. Some learners start their educational career at Myerscough College on this course, where others progress from the Skills for Working Life programme.

Learning and assessment

There will be a mixture of practical assessments and portfolio building.

Work experience is carried out at the College in the Animal and Equine Studies Centre.

Progression

Level 2 ABC Animal Care, Supported Internship.

Careers

Employment in kennels, catteries, pet shops, grooming parlours, welfare societies.

Special requirements

College warehouse jacket (purchased via animal studies centre approx. £30) or own boilersuit can be purchased

Wellington boots or other sturdy work boots.

Tetanus vaccination up to date.

1x lever arch files

1 x dividers

Pens/Pencils (coloured) (approx. £10)

Work experience

Work experience is carried out at the College in the Animal and Equine Studies Centre.

Animal Studies

Britain is well regarded as a nation of animal lovers, from companion pets to large animal collections. This has resulted in a multi-million pound industry, ranging from well known national pet feed companies to pet stores, catteries and kennels and numerous other businesses providing for the needs of animals.

If you care about animals and have a deep interest in their health and wellbeing, Myerscough provides an excellent opportunity for you to further your studies. You'll develop a range of skills and have the opportunity to care for a range of animals including dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets, farm animals, reptiles and amphibians and a range of invertebrates.

Our Animal Studies Centre

Myerscough College’s Animal Studies Centre has tripled in size after the completion of a £3 million extension and major refurbishment. The new Animal Studies Centre features specialist classrooms, dedicated indoor and outdoor areas for different animal groups, as well as spacious private rooms, reception and study areas, all fully equipped with the latest I.T technology.

The Animal Studies Centre also offers a range of services to the public, from grooming and healthcare through to behaviour classes and hydrotherapy for injury recovery.

Our Animals

As part of your course at Myerscough College, you'll get to work with a wide range of animals, from dogs and cats through to chameleons, iguanas and snakes, fish and invertebrates. You'll also get to help look after the College Alpacas, Bailey and Icicle - two of the department's biggest characters.

A choice of learning locations

As well as our £3m Animal Studies Centre at our Preston Campus, we also offer Animal Studies courses at our learning centres, including our new Animal Studies Centre at Croxteth Park in Liverpool, Walton Hall in Warrington and Witton Park in Blackburn.

Scottish Wildcats

Myerscough College plays a key role in the conservation of Britain's most iconic native predator, the Scottish Wildcat as part of Scottish Wildcat Action's conservation and breeding programme. There could be as few as 100 of these timid and elusive cats left in the wild and this work goes a long way to ensuring their survival.

Blue Cross Rehoming Centre

The Animal Studies Centre is now officially working in partnership with Blue Cross and now has a rehoming centre on the Myerscough Campus. This gives a fabulous experience for students who get the opportunity to work in a real life rehoming environment, gaining a valuable insight into the workings of a cattery and developing skills for employment within the animal sector.