Animal Care (Level 2) Course

Course Structure

Module 1: Welcome

• Introduction
• Course structure
• Benefits of this course
• Getting the most out of this course

Module 2: History and pet ownership

• Domestication
• Animals in the media
• Classification of animals
• Types of common pets
• Choosing the right pet
• Therapeutic value

Module 3: Safety, welfare, health and hygiene

• Safety and zoonosis
• Correct handling methods
• Typical restraints
• Vehicle safety
• Micro-chips and other ID methods
• Pet proofing
• Animal rescue and welfare organisations
• How to clean an pet’s bed/living areas
• Dealing with pests and parasites
• Preventative health

Module 4: Anatomy and physiology

• Cells and tissues
• Locomotion
• Digestive system
• Urinary system
• Circulatory and respiratory systems
• Reproductive system
• Endocrine system
• Nervous system

Module 5: Animal first aid

• Aims
• Handling and transport
• Examination and history taking
• ABC
• Shock
• Wounds and burns
• Fractures
• Poisoning and fitting
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Administering medication
• First-aid kit

Module 6: Dogs

• Characteristics
• Groups and breeds
• Nutrition and exercise
• Behaviour and training
• Grooming and care
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 7: Cats

• Characteristics
• Groups and breeds
• Nutrition and exercise
• Behaviour and training
• Grooming and care
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 8: Horses and ponies

• History and anatomy
• Groups and breeds
• Nutrition, housing and exercise
• Behaviour and training
• Grooming and care
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 9: Birds

• Anatomy and characteristics
• Cage or aviary
• Seed eaters
• Poultry
• Birds of prey
• Common diseases

Module 10: Fish

• General care
• Cold water fish
• Tropical fish
• Marine fish
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 11: Snakes and Lizards

• Housing and general care
• Bearded Dragons
• Geckos
• Blue Tongued Skinks
• Green Anoles
• Corn Snakes
• King and Milk Snakes
• Ball Pythons
• More difficult to keep reptiles
• Common diseases

Module 12: Tortoises, turtles and terrapins

• Anatomy and characteristics
• Housing and general care
• Nutrition
• Hibernation
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 13: Insects and amphibians

• Why have a creepy crawly as a pet?
• Spiders and Scorpions
• Stick and leaf insects
• Praying mantis
• Beatles, centipedes and millipedes
• Snails, slugs and worms
• Frogs and toads
• Common problems

Module 14: Hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice

• Characteristics
• Housing and general care
• Nutrition, and exercise
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 15: Ferrets and pole cats

• History and Characteristics
• Groups and breeds
• Nutrition, housing and exercise
• Behaviour and training
• Grooming and care
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 16: Rabbits and Guinea pigs

• Ownership and Characteristics
• Groups and breeds
• Anatomy
• Nutrition, housing and exercise
• Behaviour and training
• Grooming and care
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 17: Chinchillas

• What makes them different?
• Nutrition, housing and exercise
• Grooming and care
• Breeding
• Common diseases

Module 18: Wildlife

• Safety
• Types
• What to do with injured wildlife
• Orphans
• Should we keep wildlife as pets?

At the end of this course you’ll be able to:

• understand how an animal’s nervous system works
• comprehend the two evolutionary lines regarding vision
• appreciate the basic roles of the three primary sub-divisions in the vertebrate brain.
• understand animal behaviour when it comes to breeding

The UK Learning College is a leading Distance Learning Provider, offering a route to study for anyone who wants to gain a new skill or qualification, but finds the traditional, classroom-based mode of study unsuitable. Distance learning is an ideal way to learn around your current time and financial commitments, no matter how diverse and unpredictable your schedule is. With UK Learning College you not only study when it suits you and in your own time, but you can be sure of receiving all the advice and support you require as your studies develop. Because of our continuous system of enrolments, Students can enrol any time of year, and our flexible distance learning courses allow students to plan their studies to fit in their life style or work commitments. All of our students have access to their own personal distance learning course tutor who specialises in their field of education and is totally committed to helping you succeed in your home learning course.