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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify personal duty of care for companion animals
   • Participate in oral conversation with relevant personnel to identify the key requirements of animal welfare and responsible pet/animal ownership
   • Identify relevant requirements governing animal ownership in own area, including welfare, registration, microchipping, confinement and desexing
2. Maintain personal safety and hygiene when handling companion animals
   • Wash hands before and after handling animals and cleaning animal environments
   • Check own skin and cover cuts and abrasions before handling animals to prevent infections
   • Observe animal behaviour for safety risks and make a decision that it is safe before approaching or handling the animal
   • Select and fit appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) according to task and organisational requirements
3. Care for the welfare of companion animals
   • Supply clean water, appropriate food and bedding or shelter to promote animal health and wellbeing
   • Confine or restrain animals safely and humanely to protect from potential injuries, accidents and diseases and prevent behaviours that disturb others
   • Treat animals in a humane manner to avoid pain and suffering and maximise wellbeing
   • Identify simple strategies that can be used to encourage positive animal behaviours and avoid negative impacts on people and/or other animals
4. Care for the health of companion animals
   • Check the recommended vaccination requirements for relevant animals
   • Identify signs of poor health and/or disease and check animals regularly for these signs
   • Carry out routine control of internal and external parasites according to product or veterinary instructions
   • Seek advice or treatments from veterinarian, or local council or regional services, for animals needing care beyond own capability