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New Training Company for Pet Industry Established

Anew training company whose aim is to support individuals working in the pet industry with a range of industry-leading training courses and qualifications has been launched today.

The National Pet College is the new name for PIF Education. By operating as a standalone company, the National Pet College will continue PIF Education’s work in delivering the highest standards of education and training to pet businesses through a range of courses, qualifications and events.

Head of Eduction Vicky Sinner explains: ‘This is a new and exciting chapter of education provision for the UK pet industry. Professional education and training are vital to the pet industry and the Pet Industry Federation has always considered training to be a crucial benefit for its members – something which will certainly remain. Operating as a separate company, however, will allow us at the National Pet College to focus on developing a broader range of training and courses, both online and offline, tailored for individuals working in the pet industry.’

The National Pet College will continue to support the PIF approved training centres, all of whom deliver the City & Guilds dog grooming Level 2 and Level 3 courses to hundreds of learners each year. It will also offer the Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming and the new Advanced Certificate in Hand Stripping. Other new courses offered by the National Pet College include the Level 3 Certificate in Inspecting Licensable Activities Involving Animals; City & Guilds qualifications in dog walking, pet sitting, canine health and husbandry and feline health and husbandry, as well as a range of short online courses.

Two recent additions to the NPC portfolio are: • Managing Canine Arthritis – a course designed and delivered by Canine

Arthritis Management; • Transporting Dogs for Pet

Professionals - a short, online course which highlights the considerations pet professionals must make when transporting dogs as part of a business. To find out more about these courses and the work of the National Pet College please visit: https://www.nationalpetcollege.co.uk or email info@nationalpetcollege.co.uk or telephone 01234 984450.

New Online Course to Help Prevent Pet Theft

The National Pet College, the new name for PIF Education, has launched an online course aimed at helping prevent pet theft, for those working in the pet industry.

The course has been developed in response to the increased demand for dogs and cats as a result of lockdowns over the past year, and the corresponding risk of pet theft as criminals respond to an opportunity to make money. The course has been designed to highlight best practice and the actions that dog walkers, pet sitters, dog daycare providers and other pet professionals can take to minimise the risk of pet theft occurring. The course also includes legal responsibilities, the policies and risk assessments pet businesses should have in place to maximise the protection of the animals in their care; and the actions pet professionals should take should a pet go missing in their care.

The course costs £40 and covers areas such as: • Statistics and trends in pet thefts • Risk assessment and equipment to minimise the risk of theft occurring • Actions to take if the theft of an animal occurs • Actions to take if a pet is suspected of being stolen • Cat thefts Pet professionals who are interested in taking the course should visit https:// www.nationalpetcollege.co.uk/onlinecourses/ for further details.