Course Details: Animal Care Level 2 Award

The NCFE Level 2 Animal Care course is divided into eighteen comprehensive modules:

1. Welcome
Introduction
Course structure
Benefits of this course
Getting the most out of this course

2. History and pet ownership
Domestication
Animals in the media
Classification of animals
Types of common pets
Choosing the right pet
Therapeutic value

3. Safety, welfare, health and hygiene
Safety and zoonosis
Correct handling methods
Typical restraints
Vehicle safety
Micro-chips and other ID methods
Pet proofing
Animal rescue and welfare organisations
How to clean an pet’s bed/living areas
Dealing with pests and parasites
Preventative health

4. Anatomy and physiology
Cells and tissues
Locomotion
Digestive system
Urinary system
Circulatory and respiratory systems
Reproductive system
Endocrine system
Nervous system

5. Animal first aid
Aims
Handling and transport
Examination and history taking
ABC
Shock
Wounds and burns
Fractures
Poisoning and fitting
Diarrhoea and vomiting
1istering medication
First-aid kit

6. Dogs
Characteristics
Groups and breeds
Nutrition and exercise
Behaviour and training
Grooming and care
Breeding
Common diseases

7. Cats
Characteristics
Groups and breeds
Nutrition and exercise
Behaviour and training
Grooming and care
Breeding
Common diseases

8. Horses and ponies
History and anatomy
Groups and breeds
Nutrition, housing and exercise
Behaviour and training
Grooming and care
Breeding
Common diseases

9. Birds
Anatomy and characteristics
Cage or aviary
Seed eaters
Poultry
Birds of prey
Common diseases

10. Fish
General care
Cold water fish
Tropical fish
Marine fish
Breeding
Common diseases

11. Snakes and Lizards
Housing and general care
Bearded Dragons
Geckos
Blue Tongued Skinks
Green Anoles
Corn Snakes
King and Milk Snakes
Ball Pythons
More difficult to keep reptiles
Common diseases

12. Tortoises, turtles and terrapins
Anatomy and characteristics
Housing and general care
Nutrition
Hibernation
Breeding
Common diseases

13. Insects and amphibians
Why have a creepy crawly as a pet?
Spiders and Scorpions
Stick and leaf insects
Praying mantis
Beatles, centipedes and millipedes
Snails, slugs and worms
Toads
Common problems

14. Hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice
Characteristics
Housing and general care
Nutrition, and exercise
Breeding
Common diseases

15. Ferrets and pole cats
History and Characteristics
Groups and breeds
Nutrition, housing and exercise
Behaviour and training
Grooming and care
Breeding
Common diseases

16. Rabbits and Guinea pigs
Ownership and Characteristics
Groups and breeds
Anatomy
Nutrition, housing and exercise
Behaviour and training
Grooming and care
Breeding
Common diseases

17. Chinchillas
What makes them different?
Nutrition, housing and exercise
Grooming and care
Breeding
Common diseases

18. Wildlife
Safety
Types
What to do with injured wildlife
Orphans
Should we keep wildlife as pets?

At the end of this course you’ll be able to:
understand how an animal’s nervous system works
comprehend the two evolutionary lines regarding vision
appreciate the basic roles of the three primary sub-divisions in the vertebrate brain.
understand animal behaviour when it comes to breeding