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 competence 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 the specific characteristics and needs of mammals and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management

classify and identify mammals by age, sex, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology

safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain mammals

report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual mammals in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of mammals must 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 most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces may include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, wildlife parks, mobile animal facilities, animal technology facilities and veterinary practices or similar establishments.

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available placental mammal species.

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 and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy 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

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

complete relevant work-related documents and maintain accurate animal records

comply with OHS, animal care, ethics and industry codes of conduct, regulations and legislations

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with, restraining and handling mammals

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

measure, interpret and record mammal weight, length and other relevant objective indicators of change in physiological status

monitor mammal health, condition and behaviour and recognise normal and abnormal signs

prepare doses for treatments as directed and verified by supervisor

provide basic first aid to mammals as required under supervision

use equipment and materials correctly and in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and animal welfare; follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

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 assess appropriate practices and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological terminology and glossary of terms

anatomical structures and physiological features related to basic care requirements for mammals

awareness of natural mammal behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species, age, health status, behavioural and social needs and the signs of distress, illness and undesirable behaviours

basic mammal care and hygiene principles

basic mammal first aid techniques

housing and activity needs of mammals and environmental impacts on health and wellbeing

methods of transmission of disease and infection

organisational policies and procedures regarding the care and health maintenance of mammals

personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

physical conditions and vital signs of mammals

potential hazards and risks to animals and staff during feeding and cleaning of housing

relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including OHS, animal welfare and ethics

safe mammal handling techniques and procedures, potential hazards and control measures

terminology and language variations used by workplace staff and the public to describe mammals, their behaviour, status, health and treatments

terminology used to describe and document health and behavioural signs, including desirable and undesirable features

types of food and food supplements and their role in mammal diets

types of information that has to be reported and recorded in animal care workplaces

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.

Commonly available placental mammals may include:

captive animals:

exotic placental mammals, carnivores, primates and ungulates

domestic animals:

cows, sheep, goats, pigs, cats and dogs

pets and research animals:

mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, sheep and pigs.

Behavioural characteristics may include:

behaviour characteristics can vary according to:

the breeding season

the species, breed, age and sex of the animals

the time of day or night

behaviour characteristics associated with different species:

activity levels at certain times of day or night

feeding and foraging

fight or flight

social interaction

feeding behaviours

defensive behaviour:

biting, kicking, charging or spitting

defending territory, other animals or food

growling, barking, hissing or screaming

hair on topline being raised

throwing items

dominance gestures:

attempts to hump handler's leg or other animal

attempts to get higher than handler or other animals

hunting or stalking gestures

stereotypical behaviour:

repetitive patterns

self-mutilation

restlessness

submissive gestures:

lowering body

rolling onto back

tail between legs

turning away from handler or other animals.

Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:

age, sex and size

coat or skin colours and texture

eye colour

markings, patterns and permanent scars

toe nail colour

microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands.

Signs of distressed mammals may include:

aggressive behaviour

inappetance

subdued behaviour

trembling

vocalisation.

Housing design and environmental factors may include:

environmental:

biological control of waste

cleaning routines and methods

drainage and weather protection

general animal housing security

housing furniture

local council requirements related to:

limits to numbers and types of animals allowed

noise control

pest control

restricting access to animals

waste management

ventilation, heating and cooling requirements

housing design:

housing options:

caged

fully enclosed

indoor

moated

naturalistic

outdoor

housing requirements:

compatibility of species housed together

food and water distribution

security considerations

longevity and sturdiness of materials

suitability for specific species

species specific options for animals to hide or rest

designs that allow for enrichment activities or species specific exercise, feeding or socialising

social options:

solitary

pairs

single sexed groups

polyandrous/polygamous groups

mixed species.

Enrichment needs may include:

food or food-related enrichment:

giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substrates

giving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)

physical enrichment items:

gnawing manipulada

hide boxes, tunnels and ladders

nest building or bedding material:

shredded paper

straw

substrate or wood shavings

non-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys (e.g. balls, bells, puzzles and mirrors)

perches, roosting shelves and nest boxes

social enrichment:

levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed

social interactions between the animal and the carer may also be appropriate.

Welfare of animals requirements may include:

adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels

compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations

enrichment opportunities

the absence of pests and vermin

the compatibility of species and breeds.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain mammals may include:

cages, yards, pens and bags

collars, leads, halters and harnesses

treats and toys.

Methods used to approach and catch mammals may include:

calling animal by name

encouraging animal to approach by offering a treat

quietly approaching animal, slipping on collar and attaching lead or catching and holding animal with hands

running animal into a small enclosure.

Common health issues may include:

behavioural disorders

environmental hazards:

ventilation

temperature extremes

exposure to the elements

inadequate exercise

infectious diseases caused by:

bacteria, virus, fungus and mould

internal and external parasites

non-infection diseases:

nutritional imbalances and disruptions

genetic disorders

metabolic

neoplastic

physical traumas

chemical toxicities and allergies

zoonotic diseases.

General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:

routine health check-up

control of parasites

grooming

immunisation/vaccinations, as required

insect control

quarantine

routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination.

Digestive system features may include:

anatomical features:

mouth and teeth structures

digestive chemicals and bacteria

alimentary canal and stomach

intestines, rectum and anus

physiological features:

eating processes

nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods

waste elimination

feeding patterns

potential digestive system malfunctions or problems

water needs.

Feeding hazards may include:

animal movement and handling

shelf life of foodstuffs

manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment

contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources

organic and other dusts

excessive noise

possibility of zoonotic infection.

Documentation on the care and management of mammals may include:

accident and incident records

animal feeding, health and treatment records

animal identification and history

chemical and veterinary supplies register

diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records

equipment use, damage and repair register

OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records

provisions records of current stock and items used and items required

stock control records.