Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide the appropriate management of impounded and surrendered animals.
This unit applies to individuals who are required to carry out daily procedures in an animal pound, including receiving and caring for animals as well as maintaining the pound and discharging animals.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Receive animals | 1.1 Gather and document information on animals according to organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements 1.2 Transfer information on animals to organisational management and recordkeeping system 1.3 Assess the temperament, health and condition of the animal 1.4 Contact owners where possible and make efforts to reunite animal with owner |
2. Maintain pound hygiene | 2.1 Clean and disinfect pound facility according to organisational policies and procedures, including WHS procedures 2.2 Remove animals from housing temporarily whilst it is cleaned 2.3 Clean animals and return to housing 2.4 Clean, disinfect and maintain all walkways, floors, fixtures and structures according to organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements 2.5 Implement isolation procedures where required 2.6 Dispose of waste using safe handling and disposal procedures according to legislative requirements 2.7 Maintain adequate levels of supplies |
3. Provide appropriate care for animals | 3.1 Check condition of animals regularly and report abnormalities immediately 3.2 Provide appropriate housing, food, water and veterinary care according to legislative requirements and/or veterinarian's instructions 3.3 Handle animals in a safe, humane and ethical manner 3.4 Maintain accurate records of care provision according to organisational policies and procedures |
4. Discharge animals | 4.1 Assess the animal’s temperament pending discharge 4.2 Prepare and discharge animals according to organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements 4.3 Prepare documentation for discharges and ensure legal requirements are met 4.4 Provide information about care of the animal to the new owner, and discharge animals 4.5 Prepare animals not discharged within a given period to be euthanased 4.6 Complete all required documentation according to organisational policies and procedures |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Document details about animals on receipt and discharge |
Oral communication | Communicate effectively with clients, animal owners, staff and veterinarians when collecting and providing information about the animal |
Numeracy | Calculate and provide correct amounts of food and water for animals |
Sectors
Animal Control and Regulation (ACR)