Qualification Overview

Qualification Title New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3) with strands in Companion Animals, Equine, and Rural Animals
Qualification Type Certificate
Level 3
Credits 70
Subject Area
  • Health » Veterinary Studies » Veterinary Assisting
Strategic Purpose Statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge to care for animals within welfare standards and practices.

This qualification is for people who intend to work in a role assisting with the care of animals in a non-production context in settings such as rural blocks, animal rescue centres, boarding facilities, and animal recreation businesses.

Graduates will have the skills, knowledge, and attributes to assist with the care of animals under limited supervision.

This qualification is stranded to recognise the specialist skills required for assisting with care and husbandry within the contexts of companion animals, equine, and rural animals.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Comply with all regulatory requirements and relevant industry codes of practice for animal care and welfare.
- Maintain positive interpersonal relationships and ethical behaviour in the provision of animal care.

Graduates of the Companion Animals strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of companion animal form and function to identify and respond to individual variations to normal health and behaviour.
- Apply knowledge of companion animal health, behaviour, handling, and husbandry to assist with day to day care and transportation.

Graduates of the Equine strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of equine form and function to identify and respond to individual variations to normal health and behaviour.
- Apply knowledge of equine health, behaviour, handling, and husbandry to assist with day to day care and transportation.

Graduates of the Rural Animals strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of rural animal form and function to identify and respond to individual variations to normal health and behaviour.
- Apply knowledge of rural animal health, behaviour, handling, and husbandry to assist with day to day care and transportation.
Education pathways
This qualification may build on the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (Level 1) [Ref: 0928] or the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (Level 2) [Ref: 0973], both with Vocational Pathways Primary Industry endorsement, or the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills with optional strand in Self-Management and Employability Skills [Ref: 2218].

This qualification may lead to the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with strands in Canine Behaviour and Training; Companion Animals; Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles; and Zookeeping [Ref: 2489]; or the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) with strands in Companion Animal Healthcare, Equine Healthcare, Rural Animal Healthcare [Ref: 4388].
Employment pathways
Graduates will be able to work as assistants involved with the day-to-day care, and welfare of animals at pet stores, animal rescue centres, pet grooming, animal day care, kennels and catteries, animal breeders, animal training, pet boarding facilities, horse recreation, animal laboratories, and rural blocks.To find out more about employment opportunities click on the CareersNZ logo, then the provider who offers this qualification.
Entry Requirements
N/A
Education Organisation 15 Organisations can assist in gaining this qualification
Developed By Muka Tangata - People, Food and Fibre Workforce Development Council
Quality Assured By New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Number 2487
Status Current
Created February 2015
Next Review April 2026
Content View full qualification details

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Te Reo Maori Title

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Matauranga Maori Qualification

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Level

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Credits

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Subject Area

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Strategic Purpose Statement

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Graduate profile

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Education pathways

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Employment pathways

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