New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) (Level 3)

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) (Level 3)

This programme will give you an entry-level animal care qualification. It will also give you a taste of the wider range of animal-related qualifications available and allow you to get a feel for tertiary study before attempting higher-level qualifications. It's also a great first step if you want to enter an animal-related profession such as an animal care attendant, pet shop work or kennel and cattery animal carer.

Programme outline

You will gain the skills and knowledge to work in a role assisting with the care of companion animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and birds), in a variety of settings such as pet stores, animal rescue centres, pet grooming, animal day care, kennels and catteries etc.

Working within the current welfare standards and practices you will learn a range of clinical skills in both classroom and practicum (workplace) settings.

Graduates will have the skills, knowledge, and attributes to assist with the care of animals under limited supervision.

More detail about this qualification

This programme is delivered by blended learning i.e., face to face and online learning. This means some of your lessons may be delivered via Moodle (our online learning platform), which will require you to have a computer and internet access at home.

Course related costs

  • Uniform and shoes: $200
  • Stationery and calculator: $100
  • Placement travel costs: $150

Entry requirements

Open Entry, if the delegated authority is satisfied that the applicant has the capability to complete the requirements of the programme. International applicants are required to have an IELTS score of 5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission all applicants must complete a health declaration and declaration of any criminal conviction to ensure fitness to practice prior to acceptance into the programme.

*Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.

Selection processes may apply where the number of applications exceed the number of available places.

How to apply

Complete the health and criminal conviction declaration form and save to your computer so you can attach it when you complete the online application.

Give yourself credit →

Use the knowledge you already have to fast-track your qualification. Workplace-learning, volunteering, professional development, other provider qualifications and online courses can be recognised as prior learning and put towards your qualification. Start by getting in touch with us, or find out more here.

Whitireia and WelTec are a business division of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.

Last updated: 30/11/2023

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