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  • Animal Care

Animal Care

Ministry-approved title: Animal Care


Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Location
Whitby
OCAS Code
ACAR
Next Intake
September 2025
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
Length
Two semesters
Laptop
Learn more about laptop requirements
Delivery
Hybrid Learn more.
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Animal Care Program Overview

Animals are important members of our families and play a significant role in society. Animal care and veterinary assistants perform in varying animal care settings to help ensure animals are cared for so they can enjoy a high quality of life. Through the Animal Care program, you will learn about animal behaviour, nutrition, basic nursing and wellness, animal interactions and handling, including large animals, wildlife, and exotics, legislation, and ethics to give you the required knowledge and skills to be a valued member of an animal care team.

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2025OpenClosedApply now
January 2026OpenClosedApply now
ProgramHighlights
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Durham College 2025 Program Guide
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Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
    AND
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

  • Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
  • Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.


Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $3,149 (CAD)

View full costs


Semester 1 Courses

  • Animal Handling & Restraint (ACAH 2202)
  • Computer Technology In Animal Care (ANIM 1104)
  • Wildlife and Exotic Animals (ANIM 2202)
  • Animal Legislation & Ethics (ANLE 1201)
  • Domestic Animal Science (ANTY 2011)
  • Animal Behaviour I (BHAV 1100)
  • Animal Care Field Placement Preparation (FDPL 1100)

View all courses


Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Veterinary assistant
  • Animal care attendant
  • Kennel attendant
  • Wildlife rehabilitation assistant
  • Farm worker
  • Salesperson
  • Animal research assistant
  • Zoo husbandry, keeper
  • Animal trainer
 

View all career options

Connect with us

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I AM AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT

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Please contact the international office.

Animal Care Program Details

The Animal Care certificate program is designed for individuals passionate about working with animals and seeking a rewarding career in the animal care industry. This program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to provide quality care as a veterinary assistant and animal attendant for a variety of animals in a range of settings, from veterinary hospitals to animal shelters and boarding facilities. The program prepares graduates to meet the growing demand for skilled animal care professionals by focusing on topics like:

  • Animal behaviour, nutrition, wellness and welfare
  • Animal interactions and handling of domestic animals including large animals and exotics
  • Basic animal nursing care procedures
  • Animal legislation and ethics
  • Client service skills

Understanding the science behind what motivates behaviour is necessary for safe interactions with animals. You’ll delve into the study of animal psychology and behavioural patterns, learning how factors like environment, genetics, and health influence an animal’s actions. This knowledge is critical for ensuring safe handling and identifying stress or discomfort in animals, enabling you to respond effectively as an animal attendant in various situations. Whether you're working with a nervous dog or an uncooperative cat, understanding behaviour will help you provide better care while minimizing stress and risks to both yourself and the animal.

Effective client relations with pet owners are fundamental to providing quality care. As part of the Animal Care program, you’ll develop strong communication skills that are essential when working with pet owners. It’s important to be able to explain an animal's needs or health conditions in a way that owners can understand and act upon. This aspect of the program ensures that you’ll be able to build trust with clients as their animal care attendant, fostering better cooperation when it comes to the care and well-being of their pets. You'll also learn how to participate in medical discussions with veterinary medical professionals in the veterinary setting. Assisting in client communication and education in parasite prevention, nutrition, behaviour, and including sensitive topics, such as discussing an animal's illness or end-of-life care, with compassion and professionalism.

Knowing the proper standards of care for common species offers an opportunity to assist with improving animal welfare. You'll gain expertise in providing species-specific care as an animal care attendant, including understanding their nutritional needs, exercise requirements, and living environments. You'll explore the importance of regular wellness checks and vaccinations and how to spot early signs of illness or injury.

Our one-year, two-semester Animal Care program will give you the knowledge and skills to become a valued member of an animal facility. The hands-on training throughout the Animal Care program ensures you’ll be comfortable handling animals in real-world settings.  Whether you're interested in working with domestic pets or other animals, this program offers a comprehensive foundation to help you thrive in the animal care industry.

Animal Care Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Assist with managing animal behaviour by interpreting animal body language and applying restraint techniques when appropriate.
  2. Contribute to the implementation of a plan of care to enable and enhance health, wellness, and safety of animals.
  3. Assist with basic clinical procedures on animals.
  4. Respond to diverse needs of clients by providing customer service in animal care environments.
  5. Assist with daily administrative tasks, reception, and basic bookkeeping duties in animal care environments.
  6. Provide professional, humane and ethical care for the basic needs of animals within the scope of the regulation, laws, and statutes governing animals and the veterinary profession.

Admission Requirements for the Animal Care Program

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
    AND
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

  • Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
  • Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

Animal Care Courses

Please note: Some courses may be offered during a different semester due to changes in program delivery. Students will still receive the same curriculum and have to meet the same learning outcomes. Questions related to program delivery can be directed to Admissions.

Semester 1

  • Animal Handling & Restraint (ACAH 2202)
  • Computer Technology In Animal Care (ANIM 1104)
  • Wildlife and Exotic Animals (ANIM 2202)
  • Animal Legislation & Ethics (ANLE 1201)
  • Domestic Animal Science (ANTY 2011)
  • Animal Behaviour I (BHAV 1100)
  • Animal Care Field Placement Preparation (FDPL 1100)

Semester 2

  • Issues In Animal Care & Welfare (ACIS 2203)
  • Animal Clinical Nursing and Medicine (ANIM 2100)
  • Surgical and Laboratory Preparation (ASLP 2100)
  • Animal Behaviour II (BHAV 2100)
  • Introduction to Facility Operations (FACL 2100)
  • Field Placement and Seminar (FWK 2206)
  • Animal Nutrition & Wellness (NUTR 1203)

Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

Course delivery

Hybrid

The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

In person:
Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Hybrid:
Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Online:
Fully remote course delivery.

Costs for the Animal Care Program

Career Options in Animal Care

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Veterinary assistant
  • Animal care attendant
  • Kennel attendant
  • Wildlife rehabilitation assistant
  • Farm worker
  • Salesperson
  • Animal research assistant
  • Zoo husbandry, keeper
  • Animal trainer
 

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

  • Grooming facilities
  • Humane societies
  • Pet stores
  • Animal control facilities
  • Veterinary clinics and associated companies
  • Wildlife rehabilitation centres
  • Zoos

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a field placement in an animal care environment, which will provide you with practical, hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned in the classroom throughout the duration of the Animal Care program.

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

You must (at your expense) provide:

  • Current Level C CPR certificate from a recognized provider
  • Current standard first aid certificate from a recognized provide

ACAR - Placement Requirements

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates may be eligible to apply their academic credits towards further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.

Tech Requirements for the Animal Care Program

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk.

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Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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