Animal care and welfare assistant

Knowledge

K1: UK and EU Animal related legislation Back to Duty

K2: current legislation, policies, procedures, guidelines, Codes of Practice and ethics relevant to the workplace and the health and welfare of animals Back to Duty

K3: the species/breeds specific to your role and common characteristics Back to Duty

K4: signs that indicate potential problems with animals’ health and welfare and the actions that should be taken Back to Duty

K5: the types of basic medication, routes of administering medication, safe handling and disposal of medication Back to Duty

K6: animal first aid, urgent, ongoing and preventive care Back to Duty

K7: accommodation and environment requirements that are suitable and safe for animals Back to Duty

K8: the use of different cleaning materials and equipment Back to Duty

K9: feeding, watering and basic nutrition and characteristics of foodstuffs Back to Duty

K10: how to safely approach/handle/restrain/move animals Back to Duty

K11: the behaviours of the animal, applicable to the species and how it impacts its care and welfare such as stress/distress/pain/fear/frustration Back to Duty

K12: how the animal you are working with learns and the basic principles of re-enforcement techniques Back to Duty

K13: how an animal’s natural behaviour impacts its diet and feeding patterns Back to Duty

K14: the different methods required to meet the animals’ need for enrichment/exercise opportunities, appropriate to species and individual animal Back to Duty

K15: different skin and coat care requirements of animals in their care Back to Duty

K16: basic anatomy and physiology Back to Duty

K17: basic reproduction and obstetrics and reproductive behaviour, including neutering Back to Duty

K18: Data Protection and records in line with legislation, codes of practice and workplace requirements Back to Duty

K19: the importance of the human and animal bond Back to Duty

K20: the changing needs of animals’ dependent on their life stage Back to Duty

K21: basic awareness of capture techniques Back to Duty

K22: hygiene, bio security procedures and infection controls when working with animals including quarantine, zoonoses, anthroponosis, isolation protocols Back to Duty

K23: the preparation of animals for interaction/handling, depending on the animal, the environment and the interaction/handling activities to be undertaken Back to Duty

K24: signs which indicate mental and physical condition of the animal in response to handling/interactions Back to Duty

K25: the importance of accurately assessing animal behaviour and welfare before, during and after interactions/handling activities Back to Duty

K26: the importance of positive reinforcement to the animal and how to provide it Back to Duty

K27: the monitoring, reporting and recording processes relating to animal responses and animal welfare during interaction and handling Back to Duty

K28: the needs of an animal and factors to be assessed in relation to an animal’s readiness for rehoming Back to Duty

K29: the facilities, care and attention required by different animals and how to explain these to customers/clients in relation to their circumstances and experience Back to Duty

K30: the support appropriate and available to customers/clients during the rehoming/intake process and the sources of information and specialist advice following rehoming/intake of an animal Back to Duty

K31: the animal intake processes in line with workplace policies and procedures Back to Duty

K32: the legal requirements relating to the movement and transportation of animals Back to Duty

K33: the different animals’ requirements, for example life stage, internal and external environmental factors, climate control and noise Back to Duty

K34: the preparation required for the movement and/or transportation of animals Back to Duty

K35: the appropriate equipment and methods to move and transport animals for example barriers, caging and restraint Back to Duty

K36: the monitoring of physical and emotional health and welfare of animals during and after movement and transportation Back to Duty

K37: the animal product and sundry items safe storage, display and stock rotation process Back to Duty

K38: the extent of information, advice, support and guidance on a range of topics such as animal welfare given to customers within own responsibility Back to Duty

K39: different methods of payment Back to Duty

K40: customer enquiries, including complaints and appropriate action to take in line with organisational policies Back to Duty

K41: the range of customers/clients/animals and how to respond appropriately to varied situations applicable to their job role Back to Duty

K42: the organisation’s policies and procedures for making customer and animal registrations and bookings Back to Duty

K43: the stages of gestation Back to Duty

K44: behavioural changes Back to Duty

K45: the changes to the dietary/nutritional and exercise requirements throughout the reproductive cycle Back to Duty

K46: the various stages of parturition and issues that can occur Back to Duty

K47: social and environmental factors which will impact on development Back to Duty

K48: socialisation periods associated to species Back to Duty

K49: signs and symptoms of common disorders associated with inbreeding/ conformation/exaggerated features and how to prevent them Back to Duty

K50: how the dogs’ characteristics (physical and sensory) are used by the dog to deliver the operational effect Back to Duty

K51: issues involving the dogs’ stress and emotional responses, i.e. how to gauge and read the theoretical and practical applications of the characteristics and how this can affect the dog’s performance in its specific role Back to Duty

K52: how to maintain trained behaviour to minimum operational standards Back to Duty

K53: individual dog body language and behaviour traits Back to Duty

K54: moving and transporting working dogs Back to Duty

K55: the differences between treating and interacting with domestic and wildlife species Back to Duty

K56: rehabilitation policies and procedures including the need to record the specific location, date and time of collection of wildlife Back to Duty

K57: the principles of releasing rehabilitated animals Back to Duty

K58: post release monitoring Back to Duty

K59: the basic legal and ethical implications pertaining to wildlife rehabilitation and transport Back to Duty

K60: knowledge of legislation and licences specific to wildlife rehabilitation Back to Duty

K61: abnormal behaviours in relation to stereotypic and imprinting Back to Duty

K62: the principles and procedures in relation to orphan wildlife species hand rearing legislation and methods for identification of wildlife pre-release and for post-release monitoring Back to Duty

K63: common medical, behavioural and surgical care requirements Back to Duty

K64: the principles of care and related procedures and how to deal with these Back to Duty

K65: clinical parameters of common species seen in a veterinary environment Back to Duty

K66: legislation and limitations in relation to role and responsibilities in a clinical environment Back to Duty

K67: legislation in relation to the dispensing and administering of medication Back to Duty

K68: end of life care processes, procedures and support Back to Duty

K69: how to deal with emotional customers/clients Back to Duty

Skills

S1: comply with UK and EU Animal related legislation Back to Duty

S2: work effectively in a safe and healthy working environment following current / relevant health and safety legislation and work place policies Back to Duty

S3: identify and report potential hazards and breaches of security within animal accommodation/enclosures Back to Duty

S4: clean and maintain animal accommodation/enclosures/environment and equipment and provide appropriate resources including species specific enrichment (e.g. hiding, perches and areas to dig) Back to Duty

S5: maintain hygiene, bio security procedures and infection controls when working with animals including quarantine and isolation Back to Duty

S6: dispose of waste in a safe and appropriate manner in line with legislative and workplace requirements Back to Duty

S7: store, use and administer medication in line with legislative and veterinary instructions as appropriate Back to Duty

S8: monitor, record and report the health and welfare of animals in line with animal welfare legislation and workplace policies Back to Duty

S9: observe and be aware of the behaviour of animals and take appropriate actions Back to Duty

S10: approach/handle/restrain/move/recapture animals as part of routine husbandry appropriate for the species and individual Back to Duty

S11: exercise/socialise animals and provide appropriate enrichment relevant to their specific needs Back to Duty

S12: provide appropriate care, for example coat, skin, scales, plumage and feet to ensure good health and appearance Back to Duty

S13: provide food and water to animals and monitor the intake Back to Duty

S14: store and care for foodstuffs Back to Duty

S15: identify and describe animals using appropriate methods to the species involved (e.g. scanning for microchips) Back to Duty

S16: maintain, update and reference correct records in accordance with current legislation Back to Duty

S17: deliver customer experience (internal and external), where applicable, in line with workplace policies and procedures Back to Duty

S18: respond to animal first aid, urgent, ongoing and preventive care requirements as appropriate Back to Duty

S19: Beyond routine animal husbandry as listed in the core i.e. for animals with specific needs, unknown or unpredictable behaviour: i.e. animals recovering from routine operations such as neutering, or who may be obese, pregnant or fearful. Behaviour such as barking or pulling on the lead or who react unpredictably when meeting other animals. Back to Duty

S20: follow a prepared interaction/handling plan to prepare the animal and resources required i.e. muzzle, collar leads, harnesses, head collars, crush cage, grasper, snake hook, hoods Back to Duty

S21: undertake interaction/handling activities and use methods such as desensitisation and socialisation in accordance with the interaction/handling plan Back to Duty

S22: handle the animal throughout the interaction/handling to promote the animal’s health, normal behaviour and physical and emotional welfare Back to Duty

S23: monitor, report and record the response and welfare of the animal throughout interaction/handling activities Back to Duty

S24: apply techniques which take into account the animal’s welfare and emotional wellbeing, such as positive reinforcement to interact/handle the animal Back to Duty

S25: contribute to the assessment of an animal’s readiness for rehoming Back to Duty

S26: provide advice to customers/clients on the suitability of animals according to their circumstances and experience in line with the workplace policies and procedures Back to Duty

S27: support customers/clients during the rehoming/intake process and provide direction to further sources of information and guidance following rehoming of an animal Back to Duty

S28: contribute to the assessment of the animal during the intake process Back to Duty

S29: contribute to the matching process Back to Duty

S30: prepare means of transport appropriate for animals, ensuring serviceability and cleanliness Back to Duty

S31: prepare animals for movement and/or transportation taking into consideration their welfare potentially dealing with sick or injured animals Back to Duty

S32: use of appropriate equipment and methods to move and transport animals ensuring their safety and security Back to Duty

S33: monitor the physical and emotional health and welfare of animals during and after movement and transportation Back to Duty

S34: identify route and contingency plans Back to Duty

S35: identify if an animal required veterinary care and take appropriate action Back to Duty

S36: present a safe, friendly and welcoming reception for internal and external customers/clients/animals as appropriate Back to Duty

S37: provide information, advice, support and guidance on a range of topics such as animal care and welfare to customers/clients and seek advice when necessary Back to Duty

S38: use appropriate methods of technology for internal and external communication such as telephone, walkie talkies, email and scanning documents Back to Duty

S39: prepare, receive and store deliveries of goods including animal related products such as food stuffs and sundry items Back to Duty

S40: prepare and display stock for sale, including stock rotation Back to Duty

S41: take payment for goods, services and charitable donations Back to Duty

S42: process customer and animal registrations and bookings Back to Duty

S43: keep records for individual animals and people in line with the organisation’s procedures Back to Duty

S44: prepare animals and environment for mating Back to Duty

S45: monitor animals during parturition, recognising signs of difficulty Back to Duty

S46: carry out general care of animals through gestation Back to Duty

S47: prepare and manage pregnant animals pre and post parturition Back to Duty

S48: provide appropriate care and monitoring of neonates Back to Duty

S49: carry out procedures for caring for the young (once weaned) and introducing them to new environments Back to Duty

S50: socialise young animals appropriately Back to Duty

S51: fit and maintain appropriate equipment, ensuring the dog can operate safely Back to Duty

S52: conduct refresher/maintenance training with the support of a helper and dog trainer at an appropriate frequency to maintain the minimum standard of operational performance. Back to Duty

S53: interpret the dog’s behaviour and indications and react accordingly to the operational situation Back to Duty

S54: ensure that the dog team (handler and dog) maintains the minimum standard of operational performance as determined by national standards or the employers’ policies and procedures Back to Duty

S55: operate the dog team within the legal and ethical framework associated with their employment Back to Duty

S56: transport working dogs Back to Duty

S57: respond to collection requests Back to Duty

S58: identify wild animals that are suitable for rehabilitation and release Back to Duty

S59: plan and undertake rehabilitation for release into the wild Back to Duty

S60: capture and handle healthy and casualty wild animals Back to Duty

S61: move and transport wild animals appropriately Back to Duty

S62: release and monitor wild animals as appropriate Back to Duty

S63: carry out the hand rearing of wildlife species Back to Duty

S64: identify a range of different species (wildlife) or breeds (domestic) in order to understand the behavioural and ecological needs of the animal as well as be aware of the potential risks it may pose Back to Duty

S65: support, as directed, a veterinary surgeon / veterinary nurse in a clinical environment with: dealing with potential and actual emergency situations pre and post-operative care patient monitoring for example anaesthetic monitoring in-patient care diagnostic care/tests/X-rays – positioning and exposing the dispensing and administration of medication end of life care for pets and providing support for the owner Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Maintain safe working practices, which must be adhered to at all times with constant situational awareness and adaptability to ensure safety of the animal(s), themselves and others. Have the ability to work efficiently to meet time deadlines and workplace requirements. Back to Duty

B2: Have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn. Be respectful, punctual, reliable, trustworthy and diligent and prepared to work irregular hours, in all weathers. Take a pride in their work, showing commitment and loyalty, whilst conducting themselves in a professional manner. Back to Duty

B3: Have responsibility for themselves, others and the animal(s) in their care, showing respect, empathy, patience and tolerance in all situations. Work with methods that reduce any risk of physical injury and emotional stress to animal(s), themselves or others. Manage your own emotional wellbeing and resilience. Accurately report any concerns, incidents and abnormalities. Back to Duty

B4: Have the ability to work both individually and as part of a diverse team as required, understanding their role and changing priorities when the situation dictates. Show respect to their fellow workers. Back to Duty

B5: Respect the need for confidentiality and adhere to data protection policies. Communicate effectively with colleagues, visitors and customers/clients.  Demonstrate good interpersonal and active listening skills.  Know when to ask for advice or guidance. Back to Duty

B6: Professional and ethical responsibilities and the values of your work place. The limits of your own authority, expertise, training, competence and experience.  Industry knowledge, respect and empathy for animals.  Awareness of new ideas and openness to develop skills and new ways of working. Use social media responsibly. The legal duty of care under animal health and welfare legislation and codes of practice and other relevant legislation affecting the keeping of animals Back to Duty