What is a Animal Care Assistant? Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path | UK Career Advice

Jump to section

What is a Animal Care Assistant?

As an Animal Care Assistant in the UK, you'll work with various animals in places like kennels, stables, and zoos, ensuring they're well taken care of and assisting with tasks like grooming and training. You may also help find and capture stray or nuisance dogs in public areas.

Skills

Knowledge of animal behavior and welfare
Ability to handle and restrain animals safely
Basic veterinary skills, such as administering medication and first aid
Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures and equipment
Communication skills for interacting with colleagues and clients
Physical fitness and stamina for manual labor and handling large animals
Attention to detail for record-keeping and monitoring animal health
Flexibility and adaptability to work with a variety of animal species and in different environments

Qualifications & Education

Entry possible without formal academic qualifications
Some employers may ask for GCSEs/S grades
Vocational qualifications available:

Career Path

Animal Care Assistant

Veterinary Nurse

Veterinarian

Animal Surgeon

Animal Rehabilitation Therapist

Animal Behaviourist

Animal Welfare Officer

Zookeeper

Wildlife Conservationist

Zoo Manager

Wildlife Educator

Pet Groomer

Pet Shop Owner/Manager

Pet Trainer/Behaviourist

Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

Professional Dog Trainer

Canine Behaviour Consultant

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with an animal care qualification?

With an animal care qualification, you can work as a Horse Riding Instructor, Boarding Kennel/Cattery Assistant, Pet Shop Assistant, or Animal Care Worker in the UK.

What does a vet care assistant do?

A vet care assistant, also known as an animal care assistant, assists veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses in monitoring inpatients, infection control, and handling animals safely for procedures such as injections, blood samples, bandage changes, and nail clipping.

What qualifications do I need to be an animal care assistant?

To be an animal care assistant in the UK, you do not need any specific qualifications. However, having a Veterinary Care Support qualification and a full level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics (i.e. GCSE Grade C or above/Functional Skills Level 2) can help you progress onto a veterinary nursing course.

Animal Care Assistant: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path

Jump to section