New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals)

The perfect starting point for anyone dreaming of working with companion animals, you’ll learn the practical, hands‑on skills needed to care for cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and other small animals—everything from health checks to feeding and handling, behaviour, enrichment, and safe working practices.

This programme will provide you with the qualification needed to comply with all regulatory requirements and relevant industry codes of practice for animal care, respond to normal and abnormal health and behaviour in animals and assist with the day to day care of animals.

Designed for beginners, this programme provides you with plenty of opportunities to build your confidence around animals and understand how to keep them healthy, happy, and thriving.

This programme uses blended delivery – combining in person, online, and in-work learning.

This programme runs for 20 weeks, including 2 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time

20 hrs

Lectures, tutorials and/or online recordings.

Industry Experience

2 hrs

Workplacement in an animal related facility. You should complete at least 40 hours in total as part of this programme.

Study Time

20 hrs

Study in your own time.

This programme is taught in a blended learning format. You will be in class one full day and one half day each week. In addition, there will be lecturer-supported online tasks and learning activities to make a full-time study load. These online tasks can be done at home, or at UCOL using UCOL computers.

This programme comprises 70 Credits including 27 NCEA credits. The courses include:

Introduction to Professional Skills when working with companion animals (15 credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to assist in animal care in an ethical, legal and professional manner

• Identify the impact of legislation and Codes of Welfare on companion animal facilities.

• Describe the interpersonal skills and professional competencies required in a companion animal facility.

Introduction to behaviour, handling and transportation for companion animals (15 credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to identify companion animals and appropriate handling techniques.

• Identify a range of companion animal breeds, and methods for identifying individual animals in an animal care context.

• Describe safe handling, restraint, basic training, and transportation techniques for a range of companion animals in an animal care context.

Introduction to form, function and preventative health for companion animals (15 credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to companion animal anatomy and physiology to support animal health practices and disease prevention.

• Identify anatomical structures and their basic functions in companion animals.

• Describe preventative health and hygiene measures to maintain the health and wellbeing of companion animals in an animal care context.

Introduction to Husbandry for companion animals (15 credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to husbandry of companion animals.

Describe a holistic approach to companion animal husbandry which supports optimal health and welfare in an animal care context.

• Explain basic reproduction, parturition and care of neonates in companion animals in an animal care context.

• Explain how to apply basic first aid to companion animals in a range of emergency situations in a companion animal context.

Companion Animals Practicum (10 credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to assist in a companion animal care facility.

• Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour in a team environment in companion animal facilities.

• Provide day-to-day feeding, husbandry, handling and routine health procedures to maintain the welfare of animals in a companion animal facility.

• Apply health and safety, legal, and welfare practices to working in companion animal facilities.

Animal handling lab.

General admission:

To be admitted to this programme applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Open Entry if the delegated authority at the campus/site is satisfied that the applicant has the capability to complete the requirements of the programme.
  

Additional requirements

• In addition to meeting the requirements for admission all applicants must complete a health declaration and declaration of any criminal conviction to ensure fitness to practice prior to acceptance into the programme.

• Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegate authority.

English language requirements

• All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.

• International applicants are required to have an IELTS score of 5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learner applicants.

English language proficiency

International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age

In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning is accredited to teach it.

Successful graduates of the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) (Level 3) will be equiped to work within:

• Pet stores

• Animal rescue centres

• Pet groomers

• Boarding and training facilities

• General pet owners

• Animal recreation businesses

• Or staircase to further study

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses, visit tahatu.govt.nz 

Animal Care Establishments and the Veterinary Nursing Educational Standards Committee (VNESC).

To optimise chances of learner success, 100% attendance is strongly recommended.

All learners must be physically able to handle cats, dogs, rabbits and companion birds.

This programme is taught in a blended learning format. You will be onsite in class two full days and a virtual class an additional day each week. In addition, there will be lecturer-supported online tasks, learning activities and real time online tutorials to make a full-time study load. These online tasks can be done at home, or at UCOL using UCOL computers.

Recognition of prior learning

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist

It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)

• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)

• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme

• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Please note that there are additional costs associated with the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) of approximately $85.00:

Uniform

• Navy or black dress trousers (not jeans) $40

• Covered shoes (eg sneakers) $15
  

Stationery

• Calculator $10

• Stationery (pens, pencils, ruler, notebook, paper etc) $30