Animal care and welfare assistant
Level 2 · IntermediateAgriculture, environmental and animal care 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
An animal care and welfare assistant provides daily husbandry, feeding, and welfare monitoring for a range of animals in settings such as kennels, catteries, pet shops, zoos, or rescue centres. Apprentices learn to recognise signs of good and poor welfare, maintain clean and safe environments, and handle animals appropriately. This role is an excellent starting point for a career in animal care, with progression to senior keeper, animal technologist, or veterinary support roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Animal welfare legislation including the Animal Welfare Act 2006
Husbandry requirements for a range of domestic and exotic species
Recognising signs of health, illness, and poor welfare in animals
Safe and appropriate animal handling and restraint techniques
Cleaning, disinfection, and biosecurity in animal housing
Basic nutrition and feeding regimes for different species
Recording animal observations and reporting concerns to supervisors
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Feed, water, and monitor animals according to husbandry plans
Clean and disinfect animal housing and equipment daily
Handle and restrain animals safely for routine care tasks
Observe animals and record behavioural or health concerns
Support veterinary staff during health checks or treatment
Advise members of the public on animal care and welfare
Maintain stock levels of feed, bedding, and care supplies
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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