SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Deal with and care for the health care needs of pets in the home 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114430  Deal with and care for the health care needs of pets in the home 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Hygiene & Cleaning Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners wishing to acquire the competencies of this standard will be voluntary community workers, domestic workers and /or will be involved in a pet care environment. Qualifying learners are able to provide basic health care for pets.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Identifying and dealing with life threatening pet emergencies
  • Identifying and dealing with common health indicators in pets
  • Identifying the general health condition of the pet(s)
  • Explaining and applying general well being practices of pets 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner would have achieved numeracy and communication competencies at a minimum level of ABET level 2 or the equivalent. This will enable the learner to confirm the knowledge and skills required by this unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The scope of this unit standard is of any person who needs to care for a pet.
  • The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate because the process is limited in range, very repetitive and familiar, no generation of new ideas is needed and the person has no responsibility for the learning of others.
  • In the context of this unit standards pet's healthcare includes the conditions that shows the pet is in good health, ten pet health care emergencies, major trauma to pets, good eating habits, good habitation habits, prevention of abuse.
  • Pets refers to common household pets including but not limited to dogs, cats, rodents including hamsters, birds, reptiles and fish.
  • Ten Pet Health Emergencies refers to noisy breathing, blue tongue, gasping for breath, bleeding that does not stop from any part of the body, bloated abdomen, inability to urinate and move bowels, blood stools or painful defecation or urination, [heavy panting-extreme weakness- high body temperature] heatstroke, inability to deliver young, loss of balance or consciousness or seizures including out of character withdrawal or aggression.
  • Major trauma refers to injury or shock from falls, vehicle accidents, wounds, cuts, broken bones.
  • Household refers to the owners/employer's rules and expectations regarding care of the pets.
  • Household Emergency Procedure refers to the action that will be taken in an emergency situation including but not limited to - emergency telephone numbers, veterinarian numbers, and contact numbers when owner is on holiday.
  • Common Disease refers to Sniffles, Diarrhea, Kennel cough, Billiary, skin conditions-itching-severe hair loss-upper respiratory disease in birds and strange lumps in hamsters, cracked paws.
  • Different behavior refers to pet behaving out of character-withdrawal or severe aggression, limping e.g. thorns in foot, not eating, shivering for no apparent reason.
  • Minor injuries refers to cuts, bruises, cracked paws or skin, limping.
  • Healthy behavior refers to the behavior the pet displays when healthy and well cared for.
  • Healthy appearance refers to shiny coats, eating, drinking, and normal stools.
  • Food / Drink / Medication not for consumption by pets refers to chocolates, sweets, alcohol, pills.
  • Ectoparasiticides refers to a toxic powder or liquid rubbed or poured over the pet to kill and prevent external parasites such as ticks, fleas, mites.
  • Housing of pet refers to but is not limited to any cage, basket, and area prepared for use and sleeping of the pet.
  • Best Position refers to best positioning of housing of pet taking into account factors such as draughts, safety, security, seasonal changes, and direct sunlight.
  • Communication refers to identifying the expectations of the owner for pet care within the household, regular feedback on availability of pet food, health and care of pet, notification of abuse.
  • Abuse refers to kicking, withholding food and water, chaining or restricting the pet severely, beating, neglect, stoning, exposing the pet to harmful substances. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and deal with life threatening pet emergencies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ten pet health emergencies are identified and the reason why they are classified as life threatening (emergencies) is explained with examples of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refer to e.g. noisy breathing, blue tongue, gasping for breath, bleeding that does not stop from any part of the body, bloated abdomen, inability to urinate and move bowels, blood stools or painful defecation or urination, [heavy panting-extreme weakness- high body temperature] heatstroke, inability to deliver young, loss of balance or consciousness or seizures including out of character withdrawal or aggression.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reason(s) for reporting these symptoms immediately are explained with examples of the consequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Serious injuries are explained by grouping the injuries. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The immediate response to deal with the shock and injury of the animal is explained with reasons for response. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refers to injury or shock from falls, vehicle accidents, wounds, cuts, broken bones.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The household's emergency procedure in case of major trauma to pets is explained and the reason(s) for notifying the owner or vet is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Show how to stop major bleeding and how to clear airway of obstruction.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify and deal with common health indicators in pets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Common health indicators that should be reported are named and explained with examples of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refers to Sniffles, Diarrhea, cough, vomiting, skin conditions-itching-severe hair loss, breathing problems in birds and strange lumps in hamsters, cracked paws.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reason(s) for reporting immediately when the pet is not eating is explained with examples of the consequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Minor injuries are reported in accordance with the householder instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Unusual behaviours from the pet are reported in accordance with household instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The effect on a pet's health when allowed to breed uncontrollably is explained with examples of the consequences. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify the general health conditions of the pet(s). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Healthy pet behavior and appearance is identified by giving examples of behaviour and appearance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refer to healthy eating, drinking, active, normal stools.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Minor injuries to pets are identified with examples of minor injuries. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refers to cuts, bruises, cracked paws or skin, limping.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reason(s) for reporting out of character appearances and behavior is explained with examples of the consequences. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain and apply general well being practices of pets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Food, drink and medication that should not be given to pets are identified and the reasons for the choice explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refer to refers to chocolates, sweets, alcohol, and pills.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The best position for housing the within household capacity is explained and the reason with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    To best positioning of housing of pet taking into account factors such as draughts, safety, security, seasonal changes, direct sunlight.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Communicating Information regarding the general well being of the pet to the household is explained with details of reporting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Pet abuse and the reason(s) for reporting and stopping the abuse is explained with examples of the consequences. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refers to kicking, withholding food and water, chaining or restricting the pet severely, beating, neglect, stoning, exposing the pet to harmful substances.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution or provider offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be a registered assessor with the relevant competence at NQF level 2.
  • Both internal and external moderation of the assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines outlined in the relevant qualification and agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • An understanding of basic Care of Pets.
  • A knowledge of basic Health of Pets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which response displays that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made when dealing with and caring for pets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others especially the pet owner in the pursuit of the pets well being. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in order to ensure that the pet is well care for and healthy. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to the health and well being of the pet so as to make correct judgments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively when reporting situations regarding the pet in the home. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where the care and health of related systems where the care and health of pets is important to the pet owner. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  23853   GETC: Domestic Services  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  80786   National Certificate: Home-Care Practices  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.