Animal Welfare Officer Level 3 Diploma (RQF).

This course is open for all to study, providing that students are at least 16 years of age. No prior experience or qualifications are required.  

The qualification includes an optional practical training day. Where you will receive hands-on training and the opportunity to apply your learning.

The approximate time required to complete the course is 278 hrs.

*You will have access to the course for 12 months only. You can purchase course extensions.

Animal Welfare Officer Level 3 Diploma Modules

This course comprises of 9 compulsory units.

Unit 1: Companion Animal Transportation

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the responsibilities of transporting companion animals
• Understand appropriate handling, restraint and transport methods
• Know how to correctly handle animals in fear, pain and distress

Unit 2: Advising the Public

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to provide pet care advice for a range of animal species
• Know how to report cases of cruelty or neglect
• Understand the importance of record keeping

Unit 3: Understanding Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the relationship between companion animal cruelty and interpersonal violence
• Understand the aspects of reporting non-accidental injury to animals
• Understand the importance of sharing information between community service providers

Unit 4: Equipment Storage and Record Keeping

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the equipment responsibilities for Animal Welfare Inspectors
• Know how to currently use and manage equipment
• Understand how to maintain accurate records

Unit 5: Understanding Animal Hoarding

On completion of this unit you will:

• Recognise the different types of animal hoarders
• Understand how to provide intervention
• Understand how to monitor, report and combat hoarding
• Understand how agencies and organisations manage hoarding recurrence
• Understand the relationship between intervention strategies and hoarder types

Unit 6: Animal Care

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the appropriate care and welfare companion animals should receive
• Recognise the signs and causes of ill health and disease
• Understand how to prevent infection and disease transmission
• Understand the nutritional requirements for a variety of companion animals
• Understand how to correctly store food and medication

Unit 7: Animal Behaviour and Environmental Enrichment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand companion animal behaviour and environmental enrichment
• Know how to improve the environment of animals so behavioural issues are avoided
• Recognise companion animal stress indicators and body language

Unit 8: Inspecting Sites

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to advise on animal welfare and accommodation improvements
• Understand how to formulate and check written policies and procedures
• Understand staff supervision and training requirements

Unit 9: Animal Welfare Legislation

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the legal requirements relevant to the sector
• Understand how to ensure the correct welfare of animals in line with legislation
• Understand how the legislation benefits the welfare of animals

Practical Training

To meet the Defra Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities amendments 01/02/22, learners will be required to carry out practical training and provide evidence of this as part of the course.

Your one day placement will give you a chance to experience animal handling, behaviour observations and general husbandry, along with the benefit of discussions around animal welfare with the experienced staff.

Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter opens its doors to abandoned, unwanted and mistreated animals in need of urgent care. The small team of dedicated staff and volunteers work to give shelter, medical treatment and care, and, of course, to re-home cats, dogs and ex-battery hens. 

Their enclosed site has beautiful views of the Malvern Hills with kennels to house up to twenty six dogs and 12 cattery pens.

As this course is provided through distance learning, you will complete the work and assessments online from home.

There are no exams, instead, your understanding will be assessed through a variety of tasks. Each unit will encompass quizzes, essays, activities and research, along with other assessment methods. These are designed to ensure you understand the learning outcomes of each module.

There is also an optional practical training day included in this course, where students will benefit from hands-on training.