Observe and recognise the behaviour of animals
Overview
This standard involves observing animals as part of your work or studies with them in order to promote their welfare and minimise risks to yourself, the animal and those involved in, or affected by your work. You will develop an awareness of how the behaviour of animals is influenced, including your own interactions with the animal.
Users of the standard will need to confirm that practice reflects up-to-date information and organisational policies, and that they work within the limits of their authority, expertise, training, competence and experience.
This standard is suitable for anyone who works with animals.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your own authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
comply with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice
carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
obtain information on the animal, where possible, from relevant sources (e.g. owner, records, observations), to help determine the nature of the animal’s behaviour
observe and recognise the behaviour of the animals you are working with and record this following organisational procedures
recognise a range of factors affecting the behaviour of animals and take these into account when interacting with the animal
identify changes in animal behaviour and take relevant action
interact with the animal in a way that avoids behaviour causing welfare concerns and allows observation to be carried out safely
promote the animal’s welfare and adapt your own behaviour, or the behaviour of those involved in, or affected by your work, to avoid creating animal behaviour which causes welfare concerns
identify animal behaviours that may indicate welfare concerns or other problems and report these to the relevant person
recognise when the behaviour of animals may indicate that you should not continue with an activity, and, where required, take action to rectify this problem
maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
complete records as required by relevant legislation and organisational policy
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
your professional and ethical responsibilities and the limits of your own authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
how to observe and recognise animal behaviour as part of your interaction with the animal
the way the animal uses its senses and how this affects its behaviour
how to recognise the behavioural and emotional states of animals
the patterns of normal and abnormal behaviour e.g. stereotypical, repetitive behaviours
the indications of suffering in animals
how your actions, or the actions of those involved in, or affected by your work, may affect the behaviour and welfare of the animal
the effects of the animal’s environment on its behaviour
when to report observed behaviours to the relevant person
the importance of recognising behaviour that indicate that it would not be advisable to continue with the activity
how to recognise when an animal has become less responsive to environmental stimuli and the ability or limitations of animals to cope with the features of a captive environment
the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational policy
Scope/range
species-typical behaviour
breed traits
temperament
developmental stage (including old age)
gender
reproductive status
motivational needs (including hunger, thirst, threat avoidance, and need for social contact (if appropriate))
communication patterns
emotional and mental states
perceptual abilities
social organisation and social behaviour
previous experiences of the animal and responses learnt from these
fear, frustration, aggression, stress, pain
ill health, injury, discomfort, disease and distress
environment and external stimuli experienced
interaction with humans and other species
husbandry and management patterns
periods of activity e.g. nocturnal behaviour
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Current animal welfare legislation:
England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)
fear,
frustration,
aggression,
appeasement,
anxiety,
play,
relaxation.