Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What animals may be received at a pound?
Cats, dogs, livestock and birds.

What information about an animal might be gathered or documented?
Breed, size, weight, colour, sex; identification device details, if applicable; registration details, if applicable; where found; how and why brought to pound; behaviour; and owner details.

What type of OHS issues would be relevant in this context?
Animal care for small, large and exotic animals has a range of associated risks from bites, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
The provision of appropriate personal protective clothing and handling equipment.
The handling of chemicals and medicines in the pound requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained. Biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal must be carried out in line with relevant OHS legislation.
Safe work practices are used when lifting and loading.

What are examples of supplies that may need to be maintained?
Food, food supplements, chemicals, cleaning agents, bedding, water and animal exercise equipment.

What may be involved in preparing to discharge an animal?
Desexing; microchipping; temperament testing; and providing veterinary checks, basic behavioural training and vaccinations.

What clerical duties may be performed in a pound?
Handling cash, creating invoices and receipts, data entry into organisational information management record- keeping systems, and participating in marketing and advertising activities.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

carry out the admission of animals, including gathering information about animals and processing documentation
assess animals' temperament, health and condition
clean and maintain hygiene of the pound, including animal enclosures, fixtures, fittings and walkways
maintain pound supplies
handle animals in an ethical and humane manner
provide animals with appropriate nutritional food, water and treatment regimes
provide appropriate housing for animals
communicate effectively with clients, animal owners, staff and veterinarians
assist in the preparation of animals for discharge
discharge animals.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

working knowledge of the pound environment
animal health and hygiene
organisational policies and procedures
legislative requirements, including codes of practice and Australian standards
animal requirements relating to feed, water and housing
animal behaviour for temperament assessment
indicators of animal wellbeing
indicators of diseases and zoonoses, signs and effects
working knowledge of the hazards associated with the use / misuse of medicines
working knowledge of disinfectants, cleaning agents and techniques
animal identification techniques.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

ability to undertake clerical and administrative duties
ability to handle animals and use animal handling techniques
ability to deal with conflict situations with owners and members of the public
ability to develop a working rapport with animals
ability to maintain the highest standards of pound management, hygiene and animal care
ability to complete procedures required before the discharge of an animal as appropriate and in accordance with state or territory legislation
ability to use and record the use of chemicals and medicines, in accordance with relevant state or territory legislation
ability to identify abnormal animal behaviour
communication skills to relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
literacy skills to read and follow OHS and infection-control procedures and other policies and procedures, and record details and information in an accurate manner
ability to undertake temperament assessment of animals
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with a veterinarian
numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes
problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
animals normally found within a pound.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal control and regulation workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency
LGAEHRR304A Operate and maintain pound facilities

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Through discussions with staff, animal owners and / or potential animal owners. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By compiling animal information, recording data and coordinating the animal discharge. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By implementing food, water and treatment regimes for a range of pound animals. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By cooperating with co-workers and internal and external stakeholders (e.g. dog owners) to ensure the smooth running of the pound. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By accurately measuring the cleaning agents and disinfectants to be used and by carrying out revenue collection and receipting processes. (1)

Solving problems
By resolving animal discharge and impounding issues. (2)

Using technology
By recording animal information in electronic management information and record-keeping systems. (2)