KS4 · Ages 14–16 · Vocational
Animal Care Level 1/2
The core practical units behind a real Animal Care qualification.
This maps to the kind of units you'd cover on a Level 1/2 Animal Care course at college — the hands-on skills that get you ready for placements and work with animals.
Unit · Accommodation
1. Housing animals to standard
Every enclosure must be the right size, temperature and humidity for the species, be secure, and be easy to clean. Good accommodation also gives an animal choices — a warm end and a cool end, a place to hide, and space to move.
- Cleaning routine: spot-clean daily, deep-clean on a schedule, and disinfect with animal-safe products.
- Substrate: chosen for the species — never one that risks impaction or injury.
Unit · Nutrition
2. Feeding & nutrition
Animals need the correct type and amount of food for their species, age and activity. Feeding the wrong diet is a leading cause of illness in pets.
- Herbivores (rabbits, guinea pigs) need constant fibre — hay — plus fresh greens; guinea pigs also need vitamin C.
- Carnivores/omnivores need appropriate protein; reptiles vary hugely by species.
- Fresh water must always be available and changed daily.
Practical: measuring food by weight, not by eye, keeps portions consistent and helps spot a drop in appetite early.
Unit · Handling
3. Handling & restraint
Safe handling protects both the handler and the animal. The goal is calm, confident, minimal-stress contact.
- Approach quietly; let the animal see and smell you first.
- Support the whole body; never hold by a limb, tail or scruff unless trained to.
- Recognise stress signals and stop before an animal escalates.
- Wash hands and follow hygiene rules before and after handling.
Unit · Health
4. Signs of health & ill health
A key work skill is spotting the difference between a healthy and an unwell animal early.
- Healthy: bright eyes, good appetite, normal droppings, alert, clean coat/skin, steady weight.
- Warning signs: off food, hunched or lethargic, discharge from eyes/nose, changes in droppings, weight loss, laboured breathing.
Rule: record what you see and report concerns to a supervisor or vet — never diagnose or medicate yourself.
5. Assignment task
✏️ Portfolio-style task
Choose one species. Write a short daily care plan covering: accommodation checks, feeding, handling notes, and three health signs you would monitor. This is the kind of evidence a Level 1/2 portfolio needs.
Glossary
| Term | What it means |
|---|
| Restraint | Safely holding or steadying an animal to examine or move it. |
| Impaction | A blockage caused by swallowing substrate or unsuitable material. |
| Zoonosis | A disease that can pass between animals and humans. |
| Portfolio | A collected record of evidence proving you can do the practical skills. |
| PPE | Personal protective equipment — e.g. gloves, apron — used for hygiene and safety. |
✓ Check your understanding