Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Commonly available placental mammals may include:
captive animals:
exotic placental mammals, carnivores, primates and ungulates
domestic animals:
cows, sheep, goats, pigs, cats and dogs
pets and research animals:
mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, sheep and pigs.
Behavioural characteristics may include:
behaviour characteristics can vary according to:
the breeding season
the species, breed, age and sex of the animals
the time of day or night
behaviour characteristics associated with different species:
activity levels at certain times of day or night
feeding and foraging
fight or flight
social interaction
feeding behaviours
defensive behaviour:
biting, kicking, charging or spitting
defending territory, other animals or food
growling, barking, hissing or screaming
hair on topline being raised
throwing items
dominance gestures:
attempts to hump handler's leg or other animal
attempts to get higher than handler or other animals
hunting or stalking gestures
stereotypical behaviour:
repetitive patterns
self-mutilation
restlessness
submissive gestures:
lowering body
rolling onto back
tail between legs
turning away from handler or other animals.
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:
age, sex and size
coat or skin colours and texture
eye colour
markings, patterns and permanent scars
toe nail colour
microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands.
Signs of distressed mammals may include:
aggressive behaviour
inappetance
subdued behaviour
trembling
vocalisation.
Housing design and environmental factors may include:
environmental:
biological control of waste
cleaning routines and methods
drainage and weather protection
general animal housing security
housing furniture
local council requirements related to:
limits to numbers and types of animals allowed
noise control
pest control
restricting access to animals
waste management
ventilation, heating and cooling requirements
housing design:
housing options:
caged
fully enclosed
indoor
moated
naturalistic
outdoor
housing requirements:
compatibility of species housed together
food and water distribution
security considerations
longevity and sturdiness of materials
suitability for specific species
species specific options for animals to hide or rest
designs that allow for enrichment activities or species specific exercise, feeding or socialising
social options:
solitary
pairs
single sexed groups
polyandrous/polygamous groups
mixed species.
Enrichment needs may include:
food or food-related enrichment:
giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substrates
giving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)
physical enrichment items:
gnawing manipulada
hide boxes, tunnels and ladders
nest building or bedding material:
shredded paper
straw
substrate or wood shavings
non-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys (e.g. balls, bells, puzzles and mirrors)
perches, roosting shelves and nest boxes
social enrichment:
levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed
social interactions between the animal and the carer may also be appropriate.
Welfare of animals requirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations
enrichment opportunities
the absence of pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds.
OHS risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain mammals may include:
cages, yards, pens and bags
collars, leads, halters and harnesses
treats and toys.
Methods used to approach and catch mammals may include:
calling animal by name
encouraging animal to approach by offering a treat
quietly approaching animal, slipping on collar and attaching lead or catching and holding animal with hands
running animal into a small enclosure.
Common health issues may include:
behavioural disorders
environmental hazards:
ventilation
temperature extremes
exposure to the elements
inadequate exercise
infectious diseases caused by:
bacteria, virus, fungus and mould
internal and external parasites
non-infection diseases:
nutritional imbalances and disruptions
genetic disorders
metabolic
neoplastic
physical traumas
chemical toxicities and allergies
zoonotic diseases.
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:
routine health check-up
control of parasites
grooming
immunisation/vaccinations, as required
insect control
quarantine
routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination.

Digestive system features may include:
anatomical features:
mouth and teeth structures
digestive chemicals and bacteria
alimentary canal and stomach
intestines, rectum and anus
physiological features:
eating processes
nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods
waste elimination
feeding patterns
potential digestive system malfunctions or problems
water needs.
Feeding hazards may include:
animal movement and handling
shelf life of foodstuffs
manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment
contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources
organic and other dusts
excessive noise
possibility of zoonotic infection.
Documentation on the care and management of mammals may include:
accident and incident records
animal feeding, health and treatment records
animal identification and history
chemical and veterinary supplies register
diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records
equipment use, damage and repair register
OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records
provisions records of current stock and items used and items required
stock control records.

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 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:
identify the specific characteristics and needs of mammals and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management
classify and identify mammals by age, sex, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology
safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain mammals
report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual mammals in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of mammals 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 may include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, wildlife parks, mobile animal facilities, animal technology facilities and veterinary practices or similar establishments.

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 placental mammal species.

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:
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).