Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for the health and welfare of companion animals under an individual's personal responsibility. It covers duty of care, personal safety and hygiene, and welfare and health care of companion animals. The unit focuses on dogs and cats. It may cover other companion animals relevant to the community or workplace environment.
The unit applies to individuals who handle and care for companion animals in a community or neighbourhood context including shared animals. They work in known contexts dealing with routine tasks.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify personal duty of care for companion animals | 1.1 Participate in oral conversation with relevant personnel to identify the key requirements of animal welfare and responsible pet/animal ownership 1.2 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 | 2.1 Wash hands before and after handling animals and cleaning animal environments 2.2 Check own skin and cover cuts and abrasions before handling animals to prevent infections 2.3 Observe animal behaviour for safety risks and make a decision that it is safe before approaching or handling the animal 2.4 Select and fit appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) according to task and organisational requirements |
3. Care for the welfare of companion animals | 3.1 Supply clean water, appropriate food and bedding or shelter to promote animal health and wellbeing 3.2 Confine or restrain animals safely and humanely to protect from potential injuries, accidents and diseases and prevent behaviours that disturb others 3.3 Treat animals in a humane manner to avoid pain and suffering and maximise wellbeing 3.4 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 | 4.1 Check the recommended vaccination requirements for relevant animals 4.2 Identify signs of poor health and/or disease and check animals regularly for these signs 4.3 Carry out routine control of internal and external parasites according to product or veterinary instructions 4.4 Seek advice or treatments from veterinarian, or local council or regional services, for animals needing care beyond own capability |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interpret information on labels about products such as cleaning agents and routine animal treatments |
Oral communication | Use active listening and questioning techniques to obtain and give clear information to others |
Numeracy | Interpret measurements and other numerical information on product labels and user instructions |
Navigate the world of work | Recognise the importance of animal welfare and infection control in the concept of 'healthy animals equals healthy people' |
Get the work done | Plan simple activities relating to companion animal care and health to achieve positive outcomes |
Sectors
Infection control (INF)