Handle animals under supervision and instruction
Overview
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
carry out your work under supervision and instruction
comply with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice
maintain the health and safety of yourself and all those involved in the activity, and the welfare of the animal, during the work
wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity, according to instructions
maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with instructions, business practice and the relevant legislation
approach animals, under supervision, in a way which minimises distress to the animal you are working with
use safe animal handling techniques, under supervision, and in accordance with instructions
handle animals in a way which maintains their welfare and safety, minimises stress and encourages their co-operation
monitor the animal’s behaviour and its response to handling and report problems to the relevant person without delay
interact with the animal in a way which minimises stress or injury
promote the animal's welfare at all times and adapt your own, or the behaviour of those involved in the activity, to avoid actions that could cause welfare concerns
identify behaviours or physical reactions in the animals that may indicate welfare issues or other problems and report these to the relevant person
recognise when an animal’s behaviour indicates that you should not continue with the activity
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
the importance of completing an activity in accordance with instructions from the supervisor
your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, associated codes of practice and the policies of your organisation
the importance and correct use of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)
the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security when handling animals and how to achieve this
how and where to obtain information about the temperament and usual behaviour of the animals you will be handling
the techniques for handling the animals concerned
the welfare requirements of animals and how to maintain their health and well-being
the different factors that can affect an animal’s behaviour and what to do if these factors are present
why it is important to monitor an animal’s response to handling and how to recognise negative responses
to whom you should report any changes in an animal’s behaviour or any negative responses to handling, and the potential consequences of not reporting these
how to recognise behavioural and emotional states in animals including: fear, aggression, appeasement, anxiety, play, relaxation and ill health
how your actions, or the actions of those involved in the activity, may affect the behaviour of the animal and cause welfare concerns
the importance of recognising behaviour that indicates it would not be appropriate to continue with the activity
Scope/range
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)