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Animal Care


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Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Location
Whitby
OCAS Code
ACAR
Next Intake
September 2023
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
Length
Two semesters
Delivery
More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person. Learn more.
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  • Overview
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Come visit us at OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, April 1 Register Now for Open House

Program Overview

Animals are important members of our families and play a significant role in society. Animal care workers perform a variety of key functions in different settings to help ensure animals are cared for so they can enjoy a high quality of life. Through this program you will learn about animal behaviour, nutrition, wellness, handling, basic care procedures, 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
May 2023SuspendedClosedApply now
September 2023OpenClosedApply now
January 2024OpenClosedApply now
May 2024SuspendedClosedApply now
ProgramHighlights
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Companion Animals
Wildlife
Farm Animals

Admission Requirements

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

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

Companion Animals
Companion Animals
Wildlife
Wildlife
Farm Animals
Farm Animals

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

View all recommendations

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Animal care attendant
  • Kennel attendant
  • Wildlife rehabilitation assistant
  • Farm worker
  • Salesperson
  • Veterinary assistant
 

View all career options

Program Details

Understanding the science behind what motivates behaviour is necessary for safe interactions with animals. Effective client relations with pet owners are fundamental to providing quality care.  Knowing the proper standards of care for common species offers an opportunity to assist with improving animal welfare. This one-year, two-semester program will give you the knowledge and skills to become a valued member of an animal facility. You will learn about:

  • Animal behaviour, nutrition, wellness and welfare
  • Handling and restraint of domestic animals
  • Basic animal care procedures
  • Animal legislation and ethics
  • Client service skills

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

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

Courses

Please note: Some courses may be offered during a different semester due to changes in program delivery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2023-2024 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.

Course delivery

More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person.

The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. 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.
Flexible:
Course is taught in one of DC’s technology-enabled learning classrooms and online at the same time. Students can choose to attend in-person or online.
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

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Animal care attendant
  • Kennel attendant
  • Wildlife rehabilitation assistant
  • Farm worker
  • Salesperson
  • Veterinary assistant
 

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 through 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 provider

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.

Technology Recommendations

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  or the school office.

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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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