Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, present and distribute food and water for animals under supervision and according to animal dietary requirements.
This unit is applicable to new entrants to the animal care and management industry. Animal care may occur in a wide variety of workplaces, including retail pet stores, kennels and catteries, shelters, veterinary practices, zoos, animal research facilities and others.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for feeding | 1.1 Identify the basic nutritional needs of animals 1.2 Identify food and food supplements and prepare in line with feeding plans 1.3 Follow food temperature requirements for preparation and storage 1.4 Identify hazards to human and animal health in food preparation and distribution, and tell supervisor 1.5 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and ensure correct fit 1.6 Check food and water containers appropriate to the animal and situation for cleanliness before use |
2. Feed and water animals | 2.1 Provide food and food supplements 2.2 Check and maintain food and water supply 2.3 Monitor feeding process to ensure animals are feeding effectively 2.4 Observe variations to individual eating and drinking patterns and inform supervisor |
3. Complete the feeding and watering process | 3.1 Record feeding and watering process 3.2 Record eating and drinking abnormalities and inform the supervisor of any abnormalities 3.3 Clean and store feeding equipment and supplies 3.4 Record food and food supplement stock levels and report to supervisor |
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 |
Reading | Access and interpret animal feeding plans |
Numeracy | Accurately measure quantities of food and food supplements for animal |
Sectors
General Animal Studies (GAS)