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Discover your passion for animals and transform it into a fulfilling career with our comprehensive animal care courses at Kidderminster College. We hold the unique distinction of being the sole college partnered with West Midland Safari Park, offering a diverse range of course levels conducted on-site. You will be taught by experienced tutors and will have the opportunity to gain practical work experience throughout your time with us.
We provide full-time courses in Animal Care and Equine studies, as well as a Higher Education Diploma in Animal Management. Many of our alumni have successfully transitioned into careers aligned with their studies, such as roles within zoos, small animal farms, and attendance at the National Racing College.
Take a closer look at our courses
Animal Care
Gallery
What can I do with a qualification in Animal Care?
Daily tasks:
- Maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation.
- Carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students.
- Performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations.
- Performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products.
- Euthanases old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals.
- Investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care.
- Administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery.
- Inoculates animals against communicable diseases.
- Examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests.
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Daily tasks:
- Advises clients on preventative medicine to maintain appropriate animal health and welfare.
- Maintains the biosecurity of the veterinary premises.
- Cares for animals in hospital accommodation and keeps accurate records.
- Collects and analyses blood, urine and other samples.
- Handles animals during treatment.
- Dispenses and administers medication and applies dressings to animals under direction from the veterinarian.
- Prepares operating theatre, sterilises equipment and assists in theatre as required.
- Assists the veterinary surgeon during surgical and medical treatments of animals.
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Daily tasks:
- Patrols public areas to search for and capture stray or nuisance dogs, and transports captured animals to kennels.
- Meets prospective owners and advises on animal selection and animal care.
- Checks animals for illness, treats minor ailments or calls for vet if further treatment is required.
- Houses, feeds, exercises, trains, grooms horses, dogs and other animals in preparation for entry to shows, races and other events.
- Cleans animals.
- Feeds, washes, grooms, trims and exercises animals.
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Daily tasks:
- Carries out maintenance on farm buildings, hedges, ditches and erects and repairs fences.
- Moves and handles livestock and tends them during birth and rearing of young.
- Treats minor ailments and assists veterinary surgeon as required.
- Cleans barns, sheds, pens, yards, incubators and breeding units and sterilises milking and other equipment as necessary.
- Weighs and measures foodstuffs, feeds animals and checks them for any signs of disease.
- Cultivates growing crops by hoeing, spraying and thinning as necessary.
- Operates farm machinery to prepare soil, fertilise and treat crops.
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What can I do with a qualification in Animal Care?
Veterinarians
Daily tasks:
- Maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation.
- Carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students.
- Performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations.
- Performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products.
- Euthanases old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals.
- Investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care.
- Administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery.
- Inoculates animals against communicable diseases.
- Examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests.
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Veterinary Nurses
Daily tasks:
- Advises clients on preventative medicine to maintain appropriate animal health and welfare.
- Maintains the biosecurity of the veterinary premises.
- Cares for animals in hospital accommodation and keeps accurate records.
- Collects and analyses blood, urine and other samples.
- Handles animals during treatment.
- Dispenses and administers medication and applies dressings to animals under direction from the veterinarian.
- Prepares operating theatre, sterilises equipment and assists in theatre as required.
- Assists the veterinary surgeon during surgical and medical treatments of animals.
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Animal Care Services Occupations
Daily tasks:
- Patrols public areas to search for and capture stray or nuisance dogs, and transports captured animals to kennels.
- Meets prospective owners and advises on animal selection and animal care.
- Checks animals for illness, treats minor ailments or calls for vet if further treatment is required.
- Houses, feeds, exercises, trains, grooms horses, dogs and other animals in preparation for entry to shows, races and other events.
- Cleans animals.
- Feeds, washes, grooms, trims and exercises animals.
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Farm Workers
Daily tasks:
- Carries out maintenance on farm buildings, hedges, ditches and erects and repairs fences.
- Moves and handles livestock and tends them during birth and rearing of young.
- Treats minor ailments and assists veterinary surgeon as required.
- Cleans barns, sheds, pens, yards, incubators and breeding units and sterilises milking and other equipment as necessary.
- Weighs and measures foodstuffs, feeds animals and checks them for any signs of disease.
- Cultivates growing crops by hoeing, spraying and thinning as necessary.
- Operates farm machinery to prepare soil, fertilise and treat crops.
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Meet our Tutors and Students
Nicola Anslow
Education Manager - Safari AcademyMy background is in teaching, where I taught in schools for over 20 years before becoming Education Manager at West Midland Safari Park. Working in the animal care industry makes my job very varied and exciting. The best part is being amongst the stunning collection of animals we have close by. The industry is competitive, but if you have a passion for caring for animals, it's right for you.
Oonagh Dervish-lang
Tutor - EquineI am a lecturer in the Further Education Equine Department, where I am course lead for BHS Work-Based Horse Care Levels 1 & 2 and Level 3 Technical Equine Management Level 1 & 2. I have lectured for four years in the Further Education and Higher Education sectors. I currently teach a range of practical and theoretical sessions, including ground schooling, coaching, biology and equine management topics for Equestrian Practice. Concentrating on building confidence with knowledge and understanding to help prepare students for the industry for the benefit of the horse. My main area of interest is equitation. I enjoy competing and training my horse in British Dressage.
Esther Webb
Tutor - EquineI have lots of experience working in the equine industry, from coaching pony club to running a riding school and livery yard. I have a passion for horses and have enjoyed sharing my knowledge with learners looking to pursue a career within the industry. In my spare time, I like to compete with my own horses.
Julie Stanton
Tutor - Work-Based Animal CareI teach Animal Care from Level 1 to Level 4. I love to see how students' confidence and skills grow as they progress through their courses. These students are the animal carers of the future, so sharing my passion for animal welfare is so important. Animal care is a hard job that requires you to be outside in all weathers. My job is to light a spark in the students that will drive them to want to work with the animals they care for, even when the weather is terrible.
Claire Macartney
Tutor - Work-Based Animal CareI'm the course coordinator for Level 2 Work-Based Animal Care and Personal Development Tutor for all KC Animal Care and Equine courses. I love to see my students' confidence and skills develop from the start to the end of each year, with the care and welfare of the animals we have the fantastic opportunity to work with at our many offsite provisions. It is extremely rewarding to support and see them progress onto their following destinations, whether that be another course at Kidderminster, employment or Higher Education at University. I am lucky to be part of a very supportive and hardworking team with our Kidderminster and Safari Academy courses, and we offer our students valuable knowledge and care from our own industry experience to ensure they have a positive learning journey with us.
Tom Grosvenor
Tutor - Work-Based Animal CareFrom my experience in the industry working with Cheetahs, Lorikeets, Tigers, Reindeer and Llamas to Chinchillas, it is essential students get the opportunity to gain invaluable experience working hands-on with animals and gaining knowledge in the classroom. The courses I run are a great mix of exciting and informative theory sessions and work-related practical experience working with various animals, including Emus, Wallabies, Alpacas, Pigs, Lemurs, Horses, Macaws, Cows and many more!
Gaynor Edgar
Head of DepartmentWith over 30 years in education, I bring extensive experience initially within Early Years and later in Further Education. My career showcases a commitment to creating inspiring learning environments and promoting growth and excellence. Starting as an advocate for early childhood development, I've evolved into a leadership role as Head of Department. With my expertise, I aim to drive positive change and inspire the next generation of learners and educators.
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