Holding a Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3) is a starting point in this industry and prepares people for work in organisations such as animal shelters, boarding/daycare facilities, doggy daycare, behaviour and obedience training facilities, sanctuaries, and veterinary clinics.
Volunteering and completing Work Placement are excellent ways to take your first steps into these industries.
Let’s have a look at some of the opportunities for working in the industry in New Zealand.
Watch – MĀTAKITAKI: Join the Animal Shelter Officers Team | Auckland Council (3:10 minutes)
A look at a day in the life of animal shelter officers who work for Auckland Council
Questions
Pre-Watch Question: What kind of tasks do the animal shelter officers do on a daily basis?
Post Watch Task: What was something that you did not know about this kind of role?
Watch – MĀTAKITAKI: A day in the life of a Vet Nurse (4:24 minutes)
Questions
Pre-Watch Question: What’s different about Grace’s role, and why?
Post Watch Task: What skills does Grace say are important for the role and why?
Watch – MĀTAKITAKI: Pet/ Animal Groomer career - A day in the work life (1:49 minutes)
Questions
Pre-Watch Question: What’s Arlene's main goal every day?
Watch – MĀTAKITAKI: 30+ years of incredible Zoo volunteers! (6:49 minutes)
Questions
Pre-Watch Question: What’s one of the main things that zoo volunteers do?
Activity – Hei Mahi
What was similar about each of these roles? How were they different from each other? Which job appeals to you most and why? Which one appeals to you the least and why? Which one is the closest to your dream job in the Animal Care Industry?
Make notes on this worksheet and save it to your Module One file.
So, where can this qualification take you? This qualification can take you on many career paths within the animal care industry, depending on your passions and special interests. This could include:
- Ākonga - learners who are currently employed in an area of the animal care sector (e.g., those working in animal shelters, pet boarding facilities, animal daycares, kennels, or catteries) who require knowledge or a formal qualification to underpin their work-based skills.
- People looking for a new career or career change or have an interest in learning about animal care within the local and wider community. The programme will provide knowledgeable employees to work within one of the many sectors of the animal care industry (e.g., daycare facilities, groomers, pet shops, pet retail outlets, pet boarding facilities).
- Those who have set up their own animal care business (e.g., pet grooming, dog walking, daycare services) who wish to gain credible skills, knowledge and experience via a qualification that ensures they are operating their business practices in the correct manner (i.e., regulatory guidelines, legislation, health and safety measures).
- Pet owners who wish to build their awareness about how to care for their pets in a responsible manner using correct practices so that their pets live a good and healthy life
There is an increasing demand for veterinarians across New Zealand. The New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3) has clear study pathways to higher learning in veterinary studies to meet industry demand in the sector.
Once you have completed the Level 3 qualification, you may progress to the NZ Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) or the NZ Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4).
Explore
Look online for the two qualifications listed above.
- What providers offer them?
- Where are they located?
- Do they look interesting to you?
- What other animal care related courses are available that you might be able to enrol on?
Try searching with words like ‘Qualifications in animal care New Zealand’ or ‘What qualifications do I need to work with animals in New Zealand?’ If you have a special interest like training or grooming, trying searching for any study that you can do in that field.
Make notes for your own reference and save them in the Module One folder on your device.
Topic Summary
- Specific roles in the animal care industry
- Further study options after completing this programme
Kia haere tonu tātou. Let’s move on to the next topic.
