Learn how to care for animals in this free online course that explains how to provide food, shelter, medicine and more.

From an environmental standpoint, animal wellbeing is inextricably linked to the health of ecosystems and the planet as a whole. Healthy ecosystems require proper ‘animal care’ and ‘welfare’, which refer to the practices and measures taken to ensure that animals receive proper care and experience humane living conditions. This animal care course provides the knowledge and skills required to ensure that animals receive adequate nutrition, shelter, healthcare and protection from harm. We begin by teaching you the principles of animal care, which include the responsible use of animals for human purposes and their natural and domestic histories.

At the most basic level, an animal's behaviour may indicate their choices and can reveal whether it has neuromuscular or other health issues. This course identifies behavioural and pathophysiological indicators in animals and explains how to check an animal's health status. We examine the strategies veterinarians use to improve an animal's health. The course establishes the importance of pet microchipping and proper animal nutrition before going over first-aid treatments for common pet injuries and illnesses. Finally, we discuss domestic dog and cat feeding and factors to consider when hiring a pet-sitting service.

This course is ideal for pet owners, animal shelter workers, animal welfare advocates and anyone with an interest in animals and their welfare. We provide a better understanding of animal behaviour and health and help you master animal grooming and basic first aid. These skills improve your job prospects as many employers in the animal care industry prefer candidates with formal training in animal care and welfare and earning certification in this area can set you apart from other candidates. Whether you intend to work with animals or simply want to make sure that your beloved pet receives the best care you can provide, this course provides the training required to protect the health and wellbeing of animals.