Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the process of identifying domestic cats and their behavioural and physical needs, providing daily care requirements, assisting with behavioural requirements and basic preventative health measures. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in relation to keeping domestic cats. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
The unit is applicable to those working in animal care industry sectors where domestic cats are bred, reared, trained, cared for or housed. This may include animal shelters, pet shops and catteries or similar workplaces. 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. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Identify common domestic cat breeds |
1.1. Profile of domestic cat breeds commonly held in facility, including nutrition, health and behavioural characteristics , is defined. 1.2. External features are described using industry terminology. 1.3. Cats are classified using industry-specific terminology. 1.4. Breeds , colours , markings and other identifying features are defined, interpreted and documented. |
2. Identify and evaluate behavioural and housing needs |
2.1. Indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour are identified and signs of distressed cats are recognised and reported to supervisor. 2.2. Industry standards and guidelines for housing design , environmental factors and appropriate stocking densities are identified. 2.3. Enrichment needs of specific animal species are identified. 2.4. Current animal housing design is assessed in relation to the welfare of the animals kept and legislation requirements. |
3. Handle and restrain cats |
3.1. Occupational health and safety (OHS ) risks associated with handling and restraining cats are identified and methods used to minimise risks to handler and stress to the animal are demonstrated. 3.2. Appropriate equipment to restrain and handle cats is prepared and evaluated. 3.3. Cats are approached and restrained in a manner which optimises their welfare. |
4. Assist with health care needs |
4.1. Signs of good health in domestic cats are identified and recorded in animal health and treatment records. 4.2. Common health issues are identified and signs of disease or other conditions are reported to supervisor. 4.3. General health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures are identified and implemented in accordance with level of job responsibility, regulatory requirements and supervisor guidance. 4.4. Options for activity and enrichment are identified, evaluated for impact on cat health and implemented as directed by supervisor. |
5. Feed cats |
5.1. Digestive system features are identified and related to cat-specific feeding routines and diets. 5.2. Preferred food sources are identified and samples are assessed for quality and suitability. 5.3. Potential feeding hazards are identified and risk control options are defined. 5.4. Feed is prepared in accordance with dietary needs. 5.5. Feed is distributed and consumption, including abnormalities, is reported in accordance with workplace routines. |
6. Maintain records |
6.1. Documentation on the care and management of cats is completed in accordance with workplace procedures and legislation requirements. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
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Required knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
The evidence required to demonstrate competence 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:
The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of domestic cats must 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 most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include animal shelters, pet shops and catteries or similar workplaces. There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available cat breeds. |
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 and over a number of assessment activities. The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
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
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Common domestic cat breeds may include: |
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Behavioural characteristics may include: |
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Colours , markings and other identifying features may include: |
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Signs of distress in cats may include: |
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Housing design and environmental factors may include: |
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Enrichment needs may include: |
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Welfare of animals requirements may include: |
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OHS risks when working with animals may include: |
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Equipment used to handle and restrain cats may include: |
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Methods used to approach and catch cats may include: |
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Common health issues may include: |
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General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: |
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Digestive system features related to specific feeding routines and diets may include: |
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Feeding hazards may include: |
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Foodstuffs commonly available and suitable for a balanced diet may include: |
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Required documentation may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Species specific |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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