Animal Care

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Certificate in Animal Handling (Rural & Conservation) Level 3

Veterinary graduate, Lisa Ryan
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Get hands-on animal handling skills and equip yourself for a career in a zoo or animal park, or in conservation or farming. This course of study includes heaps of field vists and off-campus training sessions where you'll learn useful, real world skills like how to drive a tractor, use a chainsaw and fix a fence.

In this programme you’ll be involved in the care and management of birds, fish, reptiles, rural animals and horses. You’ll also have the opportunity to take courses in conservation and environmental issues as they relate to New Zealand.

With work experience, you’ll be able to get a job in a wide range of animal related industries including stud farms, the equine industry, zoos, boarding kennels, farming or rural veterinary clinics. This course is also the perfect stepping stone to further study as a vet nurse.

Content Details

This programme follows on from the National Certificate in Animal Care Level 2, although it is possible to start with this programme and complete the Level 2 programme the following year in order to complete the qualification. Modules include:

  • Monitoring health and husbandry of fish, reptiles, amphibians and caged birds
  • Monitoring health and husbandry for horses and ruminants
  • Ethics
  • Ectoparasites
  • Computing
  • Time management
  • Comprehensive First Aid

If you specialise in the strand of rural and conservation, which is suited to those wishing to work in zoos, animal parks, conservation, farming or similar, you'll specialise in practical skills of a rural nature such as:

  • Conservation issues and perspectives
  • Role of zoos
  • Driving tractors and all terrain vehicles (ATV’s) and special purpose vehicles (SPV’s)
  • Fencing
  • Use of chainsaws
  • Animal health, welfare and handling of livestock
  • Breeding

To enable you to use the skills you have learnt at the polytechnic in the workplace, you'll spend time working with dairy and sheep animals. You'll also have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of other animal industries such as boarding kennels, pet shops, horse trainers, dog groomers, veterinary clinics, SPCA, animal control, Riding for the Disabled, and wildlife parks.

You will spend another week in an area of your choice, for example, at a zoo, animal park, farm, Dolphin Watch, or Department of Conservation.

Entry

The National Certificate in Animal Care Level 2 is a prerequisite.

English Language Requirements

If you are an overseas student or a new resident and English is not your first language, please note that study at tertiary level requires both written and oral participation.

You will be required to have an IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL score of 500.

Indicative Fees

  • $3,193 incl. course related costs

The standard published fee is applicable for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents only.

An international fee is payable for non New Zealand citizens/permanent residents.

Qualifications Gained

  • Certificate in Animal Handling Level 3

Career Opportunities

Pet shop assistant, animal park assistant, tourist show presenter, animal grooming, vet assistant, equine industry, farming, pathway into a career in environmental management or animal conservation.

Study Pathways

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Pathways

Alternative Pathways