Level 2 Animal Care Course. Work-based training at your workplace. You study while working or volunteering in a kennel, cattery, or similar animal care environment. There are no formal academic entry requirements. The course takes 12 months and covers practical skills including feeding, accommodation, handling, and health care for animals. You choose units to match your job role. If you work in a kennel or cattery, this level 2 animal care qualification meets the training requirements set out in the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
Who this course is for
If you are working in a kennel and/or cattery environment it is more important than ever to make sure you have suitable training or experience in accordance with the new ‘The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018’. This level two Ofqual accredited City & Guilds qualification complies with the requirement of this new legislation. The knowledge you will gain from undertaking this qualification, alongside the practical experience you will be accumulating through employment or work experience, will enable you to do your job more effectively and boost your career prospects.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic requirements, however you should be working or volunteering in a suitable animal care environment such as a kennel or cattery to undertake the course.
What you will learn
You'll learn how to provide appropriate food and nutrition to animals in your care.
You'll learn how to select and maintain suitable animal accommodation.
You'll practise controlling, restraining, and moving animals safely.
You'll learn how to train animals and provide appropriate exercise.
You'll develop skills in promoting animal health and delivering basic treatments.
You'll build knowledge that supports your day-to-day work in a kennel or cattery environment.
How you will learn
You study through an online Virtual Learning Environment, supported by a personal tutor. No college attendance is required. A college assessor will visit you at your workplace for one day to carry out your assessment. You choose units worth 10 credits based on your job role and interests.
What you will need to bring
The College of Animal Welfare will provide your learning materials online. You will need access to a suitable animal care workplace, such as a kennel or cattery, to complete the practical elements. The College of Animal Welfare will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Kennel worker. Day-to-day care of dogs in a boarding kennel.
Cattery assistant. Feeding, cleaning, and handling cats in a cattery.
Animal care assistant. Entry-level role in rescue centres or animal shelters.
Pet shop assistant. Animal welfare and customer-facing retail work.
Veterinary receptionist. Front-of-house role in a veterinary practice.
Dog grooming assistant. Preparation and handling support in a grooming salon.
What you could study next
Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management. Deepens your knowledge and is suited to supervisory or specialist roles in animal care.
Level 3 Animal Care Course. Builds on your Level 2 animal care qualification and opens routes into more advanced work.
Level 2 or 3 Veterinary Nursing qualifications. For those interested in clinical animal care within a veterinary setting.
