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Free Level 2 Animal Care Course – KEITS

CostFREE
Duration12 months
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryWork based
StartFlexible
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Animal Care Course. Work-based training at your workplace. You learn on the job, in a real animal care or equine environment, while you earn. The course takes around 12 months to complete. You'll need some basic experience in animal care, or a Level 1 animal care qualification, and you'll need to be working or volunteering in an animal care setting. There are different routes within the qualification to suit different environments.

Who this course is for

A Level 2 work-based Animal Care Award is for anyone with a job or work placement in the equine industry, who is looking to build an animal care career. You should ideally have a Level 1 or basic experience/skills in the animal care industry. It is a work-related, competence-based qualification. There are different routes available within this qualification to suit different animal care environments.

Entry requirements

This Level 2 course requires you to have some basic experience, and/or a level 1 animal qualification. You will need to be working or volunteering in an animal care environment. Please contact us directly to discuss your individual entry requirements to see if you are suitable for the course.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop practical animal care skills in your day-to-day work environment.
  • You'll learn how to monitor animal health and recognise signs of illness or injury.
  • You'll understand how to handle and restrain animals safely.
  • You'll learn about animal nutrition and how to provide appropriate feeding regimes.
  • You'll understand animal behaviour and how to meet the welfare needs of animals in your care.
  • You'll learn how to maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic animal care environment.
  • You'll build knowledge of relevant legislation and animal welfare standards.

How you will learn

This is a competence-based qualification assessed in your workplace. Assessment is ongoing and practical, carried out by an assessor who will observe you working with animals. You'll also build a portfolio of evidence showing what you can do on the job. There may be some written or knowledge-based tasks alongside the practical observations. Your assessor will visit you at your workplace throughout the 12 months.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Keits will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Animal care assistant, supporting day-to-day care in kennels, catteries, or rescue centres
  • Stable hand or groom, working in equine yards and livery stables
  • Zoo or wildlife park keeper assistant, caring for animals in managed collections
  • Dog grooming assistant, preparing and maintaining dogs' coats and hygiene
  • Pet shop assistant, advising customers and caring for animals in retail settings
  • Animal shelter worker, supporting rehoming and welfare work in rescue organisations

What you could study next

A Level 2 animal care qualification opens the door to further study in the sector. You could progress to a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management, which covers more advanced care, health, and management skills. If you're working in equine settings, a Level 3 qualification in Equine Management is a natural next step. Both routes can support supervisory roles or specialist work in animal care.

Apply on keits.co.uk →
Apply now →

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