Animal Care
Encounter the natural world, up close
Animal care students experience the natural world up close, working daily with reptiles, small mammals, birds, and amphibians at our Animal Management Centre, located in Highbury Campus. In 2024, they witnessed a rare global phenomenon when Ronaldo, a Brazilian rainbow boa, gave birth to 14 babies through parthenogenesis – only the third recorded case worldwide. With expert guidance and community placements, learners gain hands-on experience and a front-row seat to extraordinary science.
ANIMAL CARE
Subject overview
What's on offer
If you’re wild at heart and caring in nature, then there’s a high chance animal care is a career you’d love to explore. Explore it with us at City of Portsmouth College and discover a brilliant new world.
With dedicated facilities and the kind of hands-on experience money can’t buy, there’s everything you need to get started on your learning journey. From handling and nutrition, behaviour and welfare, and community-based work placements, you’ll learn fantastic skills and build your confidence so you’re ready to roar in the workplace.
Oh, and our mammals, birds and reptiles cannot wait to meet you!
Subject highlights
- interactive workshops, role-playing and simulated animal care scenarios
- trips to locations like Marwell Zoo, Goodwood Farm and New Forest Wildlife Park
- talks and taster sessions to help you choose how you’d like to progress
- potential for customised work placements in the animal care sector.
Course: Level 1 Pathway to Animal Care
- Course Type: Vocational
- Campus: Highbury Campus
- Attendance: Full-time
- Course Code: P265977
Popular Course!
20 people have been looking at this course recently
Course: Level 2 Certificate in Animal Care
- Course Type: Vocational
- Campus: Highbury Campus
- Attendance: Full-time
- Course Code: P271267
Our facilities
At City of Portsmouth College, we’ve developed facilities where you can interact with live animals and explore different skills in settings similar to professional workplaces.
Key facilities include:
- bespoke teaching area for animal care courses
- practical centre with small mammals, birds and reptiles
- dedicated lab space for practice using clinical equipment
- digital resources for interactive online learning.
Virtual tour
Take a closer look at our learning spaces and stand-out facilities with our interactive 360° virtual tour.
A great way to explore our facilities before booking a visit.
“The course is really fun because we get to learn about how to look after animals. I’d definitely recommend it if you love animals.”Alfie Armstrong
Studying: Level 1 Pathway to Animal Care
Future plans: To work in a zoo or aquarium
Careers in animal care
Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist
Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialists take care of injured or displaced wildlife before re-release.
Main responsibilities:
- Administer treatments such as medication and bandages
- Observe animals for signs of illness or injury and monitor recovery
- Provide daily care, including feeding and cleaning
- Help animals get ready to survive independently in their usual habitat
- Keep records of animal care, treatment and progress
Salary range:
£24,000 - £38,000
Animal Control Officer
Animal Control Officers look into reports of strays and complaints about animals’ welfare.
Main responsibilities:
- Respond to complaints of animal cruelty and neglect
- Capture stray and unlicensed animals, and take them to shelters
- Maintain detailed records of investigations and enforcement activities
- Advise the public on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership
- Give evidence in court cases regarding animal welfare
Salary range:
£23,000 - £32,000
Pet Groomer
Pet Groomers wash and trim coats and claws, to keep pets looking beautiful.
Main responsibilities:
- Bathe, shampoo and dry animals’ coats
- Shape and style coats with electric clippers and scissors
- Check for signs of parasites or health conditions
- Take good care of the animals while you groom them
- Give grooming advice to pet owners
Salary range:
£13,500 - £20,000
Vet Assistant
Vet Assistants support Veterinary Surgeons and Nurses to help heal sick animals.
Main responsibilities:
- Help vets and nurses with feeding, exercising and giving medication to animals
- Keep the veterinary clinic environment clean and hygienic
- Greet clients at reception, take appointments and enquiries by phone, and deal with payments
- Monitor animals before and after treatment
- Communicate with customers about their pet’s care
Salary range:
£18,000 - £24,000
Animal Nutritionist
Animal Nutritionists create customised diet plans for animals to improve health and wellbeing.
Main responsibilities:
- Work for animal charities, the government, agriculture or the animal feed industry
- Develop diet plans to maximise animal health
- Advise clients on animal nutrition and feeding plans
- Assess the benefits of different diets to meet the animal’s needs
- Potential to help develop new food products for animals
Salary range:
£22,000 - £35,000
Let’s help you shape your future.
A better future for animals and their protectors in Britain
Zoos and aquariums in the UK are entering a new era. The government has introduced updated welfare standards, with a focus on more natural habitats, improved staff training, and stronger conservation efforts. The wide-ranging changes include larger habitats for elephants, an end to tethering birds of prey in accommodation, and a ban on letting aquarium visitors touch the fish. A new generation of animal carers will join a sector that leads the way in compassion.
Frequently asked questions
Our Animal Care courses focus on practical animal husbandry, welfare and management, helping you understand how to care for a range of species responsibly and confidently.
Programmes are available at different levels, allowing you to build knowledge step by step while developing the hands on skills required in animal related industries. If you are passionate about animal welfare, this is where you can begin to find your brilliance in a hands on, caring profession.
Pathway to Animal Care is a supported introductory course designed to build confidence, routine and practical ability in a structured and encouraging environment.
You'll be introduced to the foundations of animal welfare, safe handling and daily care tasks while developing essential employability skills such as teamwork, communication and responsibility. The course is ideal if you are new to College study or would benefit from additional support as you prepare for further training.
This pathway provides a clear stepping stone into a full Animal Care qualification, helping you grow in independence, resilience and practical competence before progressing to the next level.
Yes. Practical animal handling and daily care form a key part of our Animal Care courses.
You'll learn how to approach, handle and care for animals safely while understanding their behaviour, health needs and welfare requirements. Working directly with animals allows you to apply classroom knowledge in a real context, building both technical skill and confidence.
Through supervised practical sessions, you will develop patience, responsibility and attention to detail, all essential qualities for anyone pursuing a career in animal related industries.
Some Animal Care programmes include external work experience to help you understand how professional animal settings operate.
Placements may take place in environments such as kennels, catteries, rescue centres or other animal care facilities, depending on availability and course level. This experience allows you to apply your learning in real workplaces, observe industry standards and develop professional behaviour.
Work placement strengthens your CV, builds confidence and helps you take meaningful steps towards your future career in animal care.
Animal Care qualifications can lead to roles such as animal technician, kennel or cattery assistant, grooming assistant, rescue centre worker or progression into specialist study.
You'll also gain transferable skills such as responsibility, teamwork and communication that are valued across many sectors.
Once you have chosen the right course, simply visit the relevant course page and follow the clear application or enquiry instructions provided.
Each listing outlines entry requirements, next steps and key dates so you can move forward with confidence. After submitting your application, you will receive confirmation and further guidance about what to expect next.
Our process is designed to be straightforward and supportive, ensuring you feel informed at every stage as you take your first step towards finding your brilliance at City of Portsmouth College.
Yes. Attending an Open Event is one of the best ways to explore our facilities, meet tutors and speak directly with current students.
Open Events give you a genuine feel for College life, allowing you to see workshops, studios and classrooms in action. You can ask questions about course content, enrichment opportunities and progression routes, helping you make a confident and well-informed decision about your future.
Visiting in person often brings your ambitions into sharper focus and helps you picture yourself thriving in your chosen subject area.
After submitting your application or enquiry, you will receive confirmation along with details about the next stage of the process.
Depending on the course, this may include an interview, informal discussion, assessment activity or enrolment guidance. These stages allow us to understand your interests, goals and suitability for the programme, while also giving you the opportunity to ask further questions.
Our aim is to ensure you feel fully prepared, supported and confident as you move closer to starting your course.
Have a question?
Get in touch and our advice and guidance team will be more
than happy to answer any questions you may have and guide
you in the right direction.
