Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the process of purchasing companion animal livestock for companion animal organisations and/or on behalf of clients.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

This unit is applicable to those working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to purchase a range of companion animal livestock for companion animal organisations, such as pet shops, or to fulfil specific client orders.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Locate companion animal livestock purchase opportunities

1.1. Trends in purchase patterns for companion animals are researched  and evaluated.

1.2. Agents and sellers of companion animal livestock are researched and reviewed to determine appropriate sources.

1.3. Sales histories for companion animal livestock species or breeds are monitored and evaluated.

1.4. Relevant legislative requirements  are assessed in relation to species and breeds.

1.5. Appropriate purchases from reliable sources are identified and pre-purchase investigations initiated.

2. Inspect livestock condition

2.1. Health and condition status  of livestock are checked using accepted industry standard methods.

2.2. Records and documents  related to livestock histories are obtained and verified.

2.3. Government agencies, industry bodies and veterinarians are consulted as required.

2.4. Livestock purchase arrangements are initiated for suitable stock.

3. Manage documentation and livestock procurement

3.1. Licensing requirements for non-exempt native species are met if required.

3.2. Special transportation needs  of livestock are identified and utilised.

3.3. Purchase details of livestock are completed in accordance with legislative, industry and organisational requirements.

3.4. Organisation purchasing records are completed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• check on health status and condition of livestock for range of companion animal species
• comply with animal housing, transport and quarantine requirements
• employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling and working with animals
• identify common indicators of the presence of disease, injury, compromised health or distress in animals
• maintain records and workplace documents
• negotiate the purchase of livestock
• safely and securely prepare animals for transport
• literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS, animal welfare and infection control procedures, follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly
• oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening and asking for clarification
• numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes
• interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• problem-solving skills to assess appropriate strategies and prioritise daily tasks
• use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment.

Required knowledge 

• anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to livestock assessment requirements
• common diseases, ailments, injuries and other impacts on animal health and wellbeing
• housing and transportation requirements for a range of companion animal species and breeds
• normal and abnormal behaviour patterns and traits of a range of species
• principles of animal welfare and ethics
• relevant legislative and regulatory compliance requirements, including the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice, companion animal legislation, local council regulations, microchipping, animal welfare legislation and wildlife regulations
• relevant organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures and animal welfare requirements
• safe animal handling techniques
• safe work practices.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

• identify market trends and seasonal availability of livestock
• source and evaluate suppliers and determine best price for livestock
• perform health and condition checks on potential purchases
• identify, supply and comply with relevant housing, transport and quarantine requirements
• comply with relevant legislative requirements
• communicate effectively with suppliers and clients
• maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to purchase companion animal livestockmust be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal workplace that provides purchasing services or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces may include pet shops and aquariums.

There must be access in either situation to a range of companion animal breeds and species and the relevant information, materials and documentation.

Method of assessment 

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

• written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
• simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
• third-party evidence
• workplace documentation
• portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Research  may include:

• animal soundness or temperament issues
• breed and training associations
• cost and availability
• demographics
• registered or licensed breeders, hobbyists, specialist breeders or wholesalers
• retail associations
• trends and seasonal purchasing.

Legislative requirements  may include:

• animal health and notifiable disease regulations
• animal welfare legislation and regulations
• companion animal legislation
• local council regulations
• microchipping
• owner or breeder licence regulations
• Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice
• veterinary regulations
• wildlife regulations.

Health and condition status  considerations may include:

• animal health guarantees
• identification requirements
• presence of parasites
• size, age and weight
• vaccination records
• visual checks on condition.

Records and documents  may include:

• breeder certificates
• microchipping and vaccination records
• veterinary certificates of soundness
• wildlife licences.

Special transport needs  may include:

• animal transport considerations:

• animals' metabolic and other health features
• challenges involved in loading animal into transport
• distance to destination
• risk of injury to animal within transport container
• size, age, health status and number of animals to be transported

• compliance with relevant legislation or regulations
• food and water requirements
• transport housing requirements:

• bags, cages, pouches and padded containers
• containers suitable for holding water
• climate controlled containers
• trailers or other stock vehicle
• transfer or crush equipment

• transportation standards for specific species.

Unit sector 

Companion animal services

Competency field 

Co-requisite units