As an animal lover, you may want to pursue a career caring for them. Perhaps you have already built clientele as a dog walker or pet sitter. Now it’s time to take your business to the next level. Pet care certification programs offer the opportunity to refine your skills and demonstrate proficiency in your field.
So what does it take to become a professional in an animal care field? While it’s true that many people enjoy pet sitting, not everyone is cut out to become a professional pet sitter. You must be committed to continuing your education, and you need to rely on solid business practices and the ethical treatment of animals to succeed.
Why pet caregivers should be certified
Professional certification demonstrates a pet sitter’s commitment to their field, and lets their clients know that they are serious about their work and that they are willing to invest time, money, and energy in educating themselves. Certification also shows that pet care workers are true professionals. Training in the field is a sign that a pet sitter takes pride in their business.
There are financial benefits to certification too. As a certified professional, a trained pet sitter has more confidence to charge a higher rate for their services.
Where to get certified
The following organisations offer certification programs relevant to the pet care industry:
- The PetCloud Academy’s Pet Professionals course is the only pet care certification in Australia with accreditation from the RSPCA. The course gives participants a well-rounded introduction to caring for domestic animals, covering aspects such as preparing your home, basic dog & cat care, customer service, challenging pet behaviour, pet emergencies, human safety, legal aspects, marketing, and assessment. The course is free and you can complete it online in a matter of hours, after which you receive a certificate of completion.
- The state and territory branches of the RSPCA have a range of educational and animal welfare courses available. For example, RSPCA Victoria offers Certificate II in Animal Studies or short courses such as Focused First Aid for Pets. The courses on offer vary slightly from state to state but many are offered online, so you’re not just limited to the options available in your home state.
- The National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF) offers Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training, Australia’s most comprehensive dog trainer certification program and a nationally recognised qualification. The course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn obedience training for dogs or deepen their knowledge of animal psychology and behaviour.
- Online Courses Australia has just the course for animal lovers: the Animal Welfare Certificate equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to work in animal welfare or rescue, covering topics such as health problems, animal behaviour, safety and first aid, rehabilitation, and more.
- The first grooming school to open its doors in Australia, Australian Dog Grooming School is run by a team of experienced dog-grooming trainers. The courses offered by the school feature a combination of online classes and hands-on grooming to equip you with the skills and certifications you need to make pooches look their best.
Other details to keep in mind
Certifying organisations provide a variety of ways to display your certification to clients. After passing the exams, you may receive a certificate you can display at your place of business or a logo you can add to your advertising materials. Don’t forget to hold on to any receipts for certifications you earn as these are tax deductible!
You should also mention your certification on your Care.com profile and when you apply for pet care jobs, as it can give you an edge over other care providers.
Becoming certified costs time and money, but the payoff is worth it. Pursuing certification in your area of specialty will build your confidence, impress potential clients, and take your pet care services to the next level.