Animal
Interaction &
Handling

Typical job
roles include:

Animal
technician

Animal welfare
assistant

Animal day
care assistant

Farm park
assistant

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.
These animals will have a plan to follow prepared by a
more senior person. 

• 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
• undertake interaction/handling activities and use
  methods such as desensitisation and socialisation in
  accordance with the interaction/handling plan
• handle the animal throughout the interaction/handling to promote the animal’s health, normal behaviour and
  physical and emotional welfare monitor, report and record the response and welfare of
  the animal throughout interaction/handling activities
• apply techniques which take into account the animal’s
  welfare and emotional wellbeing, such as positive
  reinforcement to interact/handle the animal

• the preparation of animals for interaction/handling, depending on the animal, the environment and the interaction/handling activities to be undertaken
• signs which indicate mental and physical condition of the animal in response to handling/interactions
• the importance of accurately assessing animal behaviour and welfare before, during and after interactions/handling activities
• the importance of positive reinforcement to the animal and how to provide it
• the monitoring, reporting and recording processes relating to animal responses and animal welfare during interaction and handling

Rehoming

Typical job
roles include:

Animal welfare
assistant

Zoo keeper
assistant

• contribute to the assessment of an animal’s readiness
  for rehoming
• provide advice to customers/clients on the suitability of
  animals according to their circumstances and experience in line with the workplace policies and
  procedures
• support customers/clients during the rehoming/intake
  process and provide direction to further sources of
  information and guidance following rehoming of an
  animal
• contribute to the assessment of the animal during the
  intake process
• contribute to the matching process

• the needs of an animal and factors to be assessed in relation to an animal’s readiness for rehoming
• the facilities, care and attention required by different
  animals and how to explain these to customers/clients
  in relation to their circumstances and experience
• 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
• the animal intake processes in line with workplace
  policies and procedures

Movement and
Transportation

Typical job
roles include:

Animal
collection
officer

Animal
technician

Wildlife
rehabilitation
assistant

• prepare means of transport appropriate for animals,
  ensuring serviceability and cleanliness
• prepare animals for movement and/or transportation
  taking into consideration their welfare potentially
  dealing with sick or injured animals
• use of appropriate equipment and methods to move
  and transport animals ensuring their safety and security
• monitor the physical and emotional health and welfare
  of animals during and after movement and
  transportation
• identify route and contingency plans
• identify if an animal required veterinary care and take
  appropriate action

• the legal requirements relating to the movement and
  transportation of animals
• the different animals’ requirements, for example life
  stage, internal and external environmental factors,
  climate control and noise
• the preparation required for the movement and/or
  transportation of animals
• the appropriate equipment and methods to move and transport animals for example barriers, caging and
  restraint
• the monitoring of physical and emotional health and welfare of animals during and after movement and transportation

Operational/
Reception
Duties

Typical job
roles include:

• present a safe, friendly and welcoming reception for
  internal and external customers/clients/animals as
  appropriate
• 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
• use appropriate methods of technology for internal and
  external communication such as telephone, walkie
  talkies, email and scanning documents
• prepare, receive and store deliveries of goods including
  animal related products such as food stuffs and sundry
  items
• prepare and display stock for sale, including stock
  rotation
• take payment for goods, services and charitable
  donations
• process customer and animal registrations and
  bookings 
• keep records for individual animals and people in line
  with the organisation’s procedures

• the animal product and sundry items safe storage,
  display and stock rotation process
• the extent of information, advice, support and
  guidance on a range of topics such as animal welfare
  given to customers within own responsibility
• different methods of payment
• customer enquiries, including complaints and
  appropriate action to take in line with organisational
  policies
• the range of customers/clients/animals and how to
  respond appropriately to varied situations applicable to
  their job role
• the organisation’s policies and procedures for making
  customer and animal registrations and bookings

Breeding

Typical job
roles include:

Animal welfare

Assistant
(breeding
centre)

Animal
technician

Zoo keeper
assistant
(breeding
programme)

• prepare animals and environment for mating
• monitor animals during parturition, recognising signs of
  difficulty
• carry out general care of animals through gestation
• prepare and manage pregnant animals pre and post parturition
• provide appropriate care and monitoring of neonates
• carry out procedures for caring for the young (once weaned) and introducing them to new environments
• socialise young animals appropriately

• the stages of gestation
• behavioural changes
• the changes to the dietary/nutritional and exercise requirements throughout the reproductive cycle
• the various stages of parturition and issues that can occur
• social and environmental factors which will impact on development
• socialisation periods associated to species
• signs and symptoms of common disorders associated
  with inbreeding/ conformation/exaggerated features
  and how to prevent them

Zoos, Aquaria
and Exotics

Typical job
roles include:

Assistant zoo
keeper

Animal handler

Pet retail
assistant

Animal
technician

• maintain security of boundaries and enclosures in relation to legislation
• respond appropriately to actual and/or potential
  emergency situations e.g. escaped animal
• carry out animal monitoring activities such as annual
  count
• obtain information on the animal from appropriate
  sources to help determine the nature of its behaviour
• identify normal and abnormal behaviours in animals
  and respond accordingly
• set up enclosures/aquarium in accordance with the
  intended purpose
• contribute to the animal conservation plan and targets
• plan and implement interpretative activities i.e.
  educational information boards

• captive and wild behaviour of the animal
• the principles of ethical breeding
• captive and natural behaviour
• abnormal behaviours (stereotypes and imprinting)
• awareness of conservation, rehabilitation and
  education
• predator/prey awareness
• the zoo licence and recording of data
• basic capture and release techniques of native wild
  animals
• basic enclosure design including security, double
  doors, boundaries
• emergency protocols e.g. animal escaping
• awareness of social/solitary needs of animals
• the importance of being able to accurately identify zoo,
  aquaria and exotics
• legal and ethical implications of moving and
  transporting wild animals

Working Dog
Handler

Typical job
roles include:

Animal handler

Security dog
handler

Services dog
handler

Search and
rescue dog
handler

• fit and maintain appropriate equipment, ensuring the dog can operate safely
• 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. interpret the dog’s behaviour and indications and react accordingly to the operational situation
• 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
• operate the dog team within the legal and ethical
  framework associated with their employment
• transport working dogs

• how the dogs’ characteristics (physical and sensory) are used by the dog to deliver the operational effect
• 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
• how to maintain trained behaviour to minimum
  operational standards
• individual dog body language and behaviour traits
• moving and transporting working dogs

Wildlife
Rehabilitation

Typical job
roles include:

Wildlife
rehabilitation
assistant

Zoo keeper
assistant

Farm park
assistant

• respond to collection requests
• identify wild animals that are suitable for rehabilitation
  and release
• plan and undertake rehabilitation for release into the
  wild
• capture and handle healthy and casualty wild animals
• move and transport wild animals appropriately
• release and monitor wild animals as appropriate
• carry out the hand rearing of wildlife species
• 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

• the differences between treating and interacting with domestic and wildlife species
• rehabilitation policies and procedures including the
  need to record the specific location, date and time of
  collection of wildlife
• the principles of releasing rehabilitated animals
• post release monitoring
• the basic legal and ethical implications pertaining to
  wildlife rehabilitation and transport
• knowledge of legislation and licences specific to
  wildlife rehabilitation
• abnormal behaviours in relation to stereotypic and
  imprinting
• the principles and procedures in relation to orphan
  wildlife species hand rearing legislation and methods

Veterinary
Care Support

Typical job
roles include:

Veterinary care
assistant

Animal welfare
assistant

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

• common medical, behavioural and surgical care
  requirements
• the principles of care and related procedures and how
  to deal with these
• clinical parameters of common species seen in a
  veterinary environment
• legislation and limitations in relation to role and
  responsibilities in a clinical environment
• legislation in relation to the dispensing and
  administering of medication
• end of life care processes, procedures and support
• how to deal with emotional customers/clients

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.