Are you an animal lover with a passion for making a difference in the animal welfare space? If so, you can turn your concern for animals into a career.
The Certificate of Animal Welfare is a professional development program that covers a wide range of animal welfare topics, such as how animal welfare is implemented in society and what protection, rescue and health services are available in Australia.
In this online animal welfare course, you’ll also gain knowledge in animal psychology and sentience, and understand how laws and regulations protect pets and companion animals, work animals and animals in sport.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to act as an animal welfare activist or to pursue a career working with animals, such as an animal shelter attendant, animal welfare inspector or many other professions where animal welfare is a priority.
Course Structure
Unit - Animal Welfare
Unit 1 – Scope and nature of animal welfare
- History
- Nature of animal welfare
- Definitions
- Scope of animal welfare
- Considering Animal Ethics
- Moral status of animals
- Moral equality theories
- Widely accepted animal ethic theories
- Animal rights
- Animal welfare
Unit 2 – Psychology and sentience
- The science and philosophy of psychology and sentience
- Sentience
- Sapience
- Anthropomorphism and transference
- Compassionate conservation
- Sense and perception
- Cognition
- Animal emotion
- Animal psychopathology
- Depression in animals
- Stress in animals
- Eating disorders in animals
- Activity anorexia
- Over-eating and under- eating
- Weight loss
- Coprophagia
- Thin sow syndrome
- Behavioral disorders
- How an understanding of sentience can influence animal welfare
Unit 3 – Managing animal welfare
- Managing animal welfare
- Duty of care
- Assessing animal welfare
- Preventing disease and injury
- Health checks and observations
- The importance of good nutrition
- Provision of water
- Exercise and stimulation
- Appropriate and safe environment
- Controlling pests and diseases
- Veterinary prevention
- Common ectoparasites and endoparasites
Unit 4 – Animal Protection Services
- Animal protection organisations
- Types of animal protection activities
- Companion animals
- Protection of farm animals
- Understanding and inspecting health issues
- Viral diseases
- Bacterial diseases
- Fungal diseases
- Protozoa micro organisims
- Parasites
- Ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice, mites)
- Genetic disorders
- Metabolic and nutritional disease
- Inspecting the health of animals
- Temperature, pulse and respiration
- Signs of ill health
- Differential diagnosis
Unit 5 – Animal rescue services
- The fundamental aims of animal rescue
- Shelters
- Health and welfare
- Reminder of basic animal needs
- Animal first aid
- Types of wounds
- Treating wounds
- Cleaning wounds
- Granulating wounds
- Stitching a wound
- Fly control
- Bone & joint problems
- Sprains broken bones, bone infections and bone diseases
- Tendon injury
- Contusions or muscle strain
- Poisoning
- Chemicals
- Poisoning from grazing
- Restraining animals during first aid
- First aid for wildlife
Unit 6 – Animal health services
- Veterinary services, or animal hospitals
- Routine health treatments
- Animal rescue organisations
- Immunisation
- The vaccination debate
- Quarantine
- Euthanasia
- De-sexing
- Complementary animal health services
- Homeopathy & flower essences
- Naturopathy
- Natural nutrition
- Tactile therapies
- Acupuncture
- Frequency specific microcurrent
- Microwave therapies
- Ayurvedic medicine
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- Employment opportunities
Unit 7 – Welfare for companion animals
- Welfare for companion animals
- Welfare for work animals
- Welfare for animals in sport
Unit 8 – Animal Welfare for Farm Animals
- Welfare for farm animals
- Intensive farming
- Pigs
- Cattle
- Dairy cows and calves
- Veal calves
- Poultry
- Laying hens
- Cage eggs
- “battery cages”
- Barn laid eggs and free range eggs
- Organic farming
- Other aspects of animal welfare
- Animal welfare during transport
- Animal slaughter
- Animal welfare labelling
- Welfare issues – farm animals bred for alternative products
- Down and wool
- Tail docking
- Mulesing
- Fois grois
Unit 9 – Animal welfare for wild animals: free and captive
- Welfare for captive wild animals
- Zoos & wildlife parks
- Pet trade
- Welfare for free wild animals
- Destruction of native habitat
- Protection of wildlife
- Protection against hunting and trapping
- The land and marine environments
- Legislation
- Australian legislation
- Codes of practice
- Animal behaviour
- Environmental law enforcement
- Case studies
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Excellent course materials and quick marking
R. Edwards, Rosebery, NT | Certificate of Animal Welfare
I loved having the opportunity to complete each assignment in my own time and have help when needed, overall the material was easy to read and to interpret to answer the assignment questions
L. Harris, Chermside West, QLD | Certificate of Animal Welfare
Easy to understand. Assessments weren’t too over the top. Great content.
K. Browne, Loganholme, QLD | Certificate of Animal Welfare
The course was easy to navigate online and allowed me to develop my understanding of animal welfare through the readings and assignments.
R. Woodrow, Moorooka, QLD | Certificate of Animal Welfare
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Animal Shelter Staff
- Rescue Officers
- Pet Resort Attendant
- Pet Trainer
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