Staff Current Students
01562 820811
The Point Business Centre

Your courses

    Click Apply nowabove and continue to stage 2 where you can review and choose your 1st choice course to apply for.

    Apply Now
    Academy Education 01

    16 - 18

    Animal Care

    Are you seeking hands-on experience with animals? Do you have a strong desire to learn from experienced professionals?

    Our full-time courses, in collaboration with institutions such as West Midland Safari Park, Wild Zoological Park, Wolverley Animal Centre, and Sugar Loaf Equestrian Centre, have been crafted to offer you immersive practical experience across a diverse range of animals. You will be guided by qualified industry professionals with extensive expertise.

    Whether your aspiration lies in becoming a zookeeper, dog groomer, or stable hand, we have the ideal course to help you achieve your goals!

    Next Event

    Level 3 BTEC Results Day 2024

    Kidderminster College Thursday 15th August 2024 9:30am - 12:30pm Find out more

    What can I study?

    Animal Care - Level 1

    Explore the basics of animal care on our Animal Care - Level 1 course!

    Length: 1 Year
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Safari Academy

    View Course

    Animal Care - Level 2

    Expand on your animal care knowledge at West Midland Safari Park's Safari Academy through Kidderminster College!

    Length: 1 Year
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024

    View Course

    Animal Care - Level 3

    Gain real-life experience of working in a zoo with our Animal Care - Level 3 course at West Midland Safari Park!

    Length: 2 Years
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Safari Academy

    View Course

    Equine Care - Level 1

    Get started in the equine industry with our Equine Level 1 course!

    Length: 1 Year
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Kidderminster College

    View Course

    Equine Care - Level 2

    Explore more about Equine care on our Equine course!

    Length: 1 Year
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Kidderminster College

    View Course

    Equine Care - Level 3

    Expand on your equine knowledge with our Level 3 Equine course!

    Length: 2 Years
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Kidderminster College

    View Course

    Work-Based Animal Care - Level 2

    Get into the animal care industry with our Work-Based Animal Care course!

    Length: 1 Year
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Kidderminster College

    View Course

    Work-Based Animal Care - Level 3

    Explore more about the animal industry with our Level 3 Work-Based Animal Care course!

    Length: 1 Year
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Kidderminster College

    View Course

    Get in Touch

    Call us: 01562 820811
    Email us: enquiries@kidderminster.ac.uk
    Visit Us Apply Now

    Good to know

    Meet our Tutors and Students

    Screenshot 2023 12 07 At 13.26.38

    Nicola Anslow

    Education Manager - Safari Academy

    My 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

    Oonagh Dervish-lang

    Tutor - Equine

    I 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

    Esther Webb

    Tutor - Equine

    I 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.

    IMG 0362

    Julie Stanton

    Tutor - Work-Based Animal Care

    I 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.

    1080 X 1080 (20)

    Claire Macartney

    Tutor - Work-Based Animal Care

    I'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.

    IMG 4183

    Tom Grosvenor

    Tutor - Work-Based Animal Care

    From 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

    Gaynor Edgar

    Head of Department

    With 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.

    IMG 0621 Scaled

    Elizabeth Sale

    Work-Based Animal Care Level 3

    The hands-on experience and coursework have not only deepened my understanding but also made me more passionate working with animals in a real-world setting.
    Previous
    Next

    What can I do with a qualification in Animal Care?

    Veterinarians Veterinary Nurses Animal Care Services Occupations Farm Workers

    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.

    Powered by EMSI

    Median Salary

    £36,277 View more

    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.

    Powered by EMSI

    Median Salary

    £19,110 View more

    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.

    Powered by EMSI

    Median Salary

    £17,216 View more

    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.

    Powered by EMSI

    Median Salary

    £20,957 View more

    What can I do with a qualification in Animal Care?

    How can I progress?

    Grad 1

    Higher Education

    You don't need to move away to study a Higher Education course! Take a look at our HE courses here at KC!

    4G1A8170

    Apprenticeships

    Step into the world of work and embrace the opportunity to earn while you learn through an apprenticeship.

    stat-icon

    Levels Explained

    Confused about your grades? Unsure about your study options? Check out our 'levels explained' guide for answers.