The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

identify, develop and implement breeding program aims

select suitable animals for breeding programs

establish appropriate mating systems and methods

monitor breeding activities and evaluate program outcomes

identify potential risks to animals in breeding, birth and early life procedures and plan for emergencies

maintain breeding program records.

The skills and knowledge required to manage companion animal breedingmust be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal facility where animal breeding is conducted or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Facilities may include aquariums, aviaries, boarding kennels, catteries or other breeding establishments.

There must be access to a range of companion animal breeds or species and the relevant information, materials and documentation.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation (e.g. breeding program records)

portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

develop, monitor, evaluate and update breeding programs using appropriate breeding systems and mating methods according to species or breed requirements

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling and working with animals

evaluate behaviour, signs and objective measures that may indicate animal health is at risk

identify indicators that animals are ready for breeding and signs of hatching or parturition

identify situations and evaluate options for intervening in emergency situations related to the breeding, hatching and parturition and rearing of animals

identify situations relating to the breeding and rearing of animals that require veterinary or specialist assistance

maintain breeding program and animal records

maintain highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

monitor animal health and condition and recognise abnormalities

literacy skills to read, select and follow organisational policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety (OHS) and infection control procedures; and record details and information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening and asking for clarification

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to the reproduction, care and wellbeing of commonly held animals

breeding program systems, methods and traits related to commonly held animals

communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation and the individual's work responsibilities

diseases and ailments of breeding and young animals

industry terminology related to companion animal health and breeding processes and events

normal and abnormal animal behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species, age, health status and social needs

principles of animal welfare and ethics

protocols, legal and ethical considerations in providing care and treatment of breeding animals and their offspring

relevant legislative and regulatory compliance requirements, including the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice, companion animal legislation, local council regulations, microchipping, animal welfare legislation and wildlife regulations

relevant organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures and animal welfare requirements

tests and examinations used to determine suitability of animals for breeding and determine pregnancy

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Breeding requirements may include:

an assessment of the organisation's breeding and production records to identify public demand for species or breeds

breed or bloodline health, soundness and temperament considerations

breed standards

breeding and rearing procedures and equipment for nominated animals

expected return on investment

licensing or registration regulations for breeding

restrictions on ownership of nominated animals

trends in breed or species popularity.

Resources may include:

facilities and equipment:

recording systems

personal protective equipment

monitoring technology for breeding

weighing and testing equipment

human resources.

Breeding program suitability considerations may include:

age of potential breeding animals

expertise level of staff to manage breeding animals

genetic suitability due to:

breeding for highly specialised purpose

closeness of relationship to potential mate

designer breed focus

dominant or recessive traits

hybrid vigour requirements

soundness and temperament

introduction of new bloodlines

location of potential breeding animals

natural mating or artificial breeding options

potential restrictions on importing semen or using embryo transfer.

Breeding program information may include:

identification of parents and offspring

health records (e.g. ailments, injuries, vaccinations, worming and feeding)

number of breeders required

production rates (e.g. miscarriages and deaths)

selection criteria for breeders

weaning methods used, rates and response of offspring

purchaser records

breeding records of matings for sire and dam.

Legislative requirements may include:

animal health and notifiable disease regulations

animal welfare legislation and regulations

companion animal legislation

local council regulations

microchipping, animal welfare legislation

OHS and environmental management legislation and regulations

owner or breeder licence regulations

veterinary regulations

wildlife regulations.

Animals may include:

those commonly encountered within the industry workplace:

birds

dogs and cats

fish, reptiles and amphibians

small animals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs).

Examinations and tests may include:

genetic tests for heritable defects

physical examination for structural and reproductive soundness

tests for presence of disease that may affect breeding viability or the health of either animal.

Breeding systems may include:

breeding for specialised market purposes (e.g. colour and size)

creating designer breeds

cross breeding

inbreeding

line breeding

outcrossing.

Mating methods may include:

natural and artificial breeding

paired mating, the harem system and stud mating.

Potential risks to animals may include:

breeding risks:

aggression from either animal

either animal has been ill prior to breeding

either animal is infected with a disease that could affect reproduction or health of other breeding animal

either animal is infertile or has poor reproductive viability

either partner refuses to breed

female does not show obvious signs of readiness for breeding

inexperienced breeders

shy or timid breeders

birth and early life risks:

mother attacks offspring

mother dies or cannot mother offspring

mother retains placenta (where relevant)

mother will not or cannot suckle or feed offspring

offspring are born with disease or defects that limit their ability to survive or lead healthy lives in the future

offspring are injured during or after birth

offspring are too large for natural birth

offspring contract disease or become infested with parasites

offspring die or are stillborn

offspring will not feed

weaker offspring are prevented from feeding effectively due to competition from others.

Industry standards may include:

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice

ethical practices

breed association reporting requirements.