RSPCA Trainee with Reptile

RSPCA call on expert skills of Sparsholt College Animal Management Team

The UK’s experts on animal welfare, the RSPCA, recently called on the
expert skills of the Sparsholt College teaching team to deliver two
weeks of specialist training to their RSPCA trainees. Alongside large
farm animal handling and equine training the 16 trainee officers spent a
number of days on the handling and care of exotic animals.

RSPCA Exotics Senior Scientific Officer, Nicola White, explains why
their officers sought out Sparsholt’s expert advice:

Reptiles are increasing in popularity and the number of related incidents dealt with by the RSPCA has risen in recent years too. Sadly as their popularity increases so does the number of calls we receive about them and we are experiencing widespread neglect of reptiles across the country. In response to this we have been training a number of officers to specialise in this area of animal welfare.

The RSPCA has found that many people are unaware of how much of a
commitment exotic animals are when they take them on. As a result they
are rescuing hundreds of reptiles every year – and this number appears
to be on the increase.

The RSPCA regularly call on Sparsholt to deliver training courses
drawing on the huge range of species the College has within its animal
collection. This invaluable resource provides the RSPCA trainees with an
insight into what animal keepers could have within their homes and the
specialist training provides the expert skills on how to manage an
encounter if ever called upon to make an official visit regarding an
exotic animal.

Sparsholt College expert Animal Management lecturer Lizzie O’Grady designed the bespoke courses to give the trainees the knowledge and
practise for identifying and handling exotic animals in the field. The
course covered theoretical base knowledge and learning the differences
between domestic pets and exotic animals, as well as the all-important
practical element of providing trainees with ‘hands on’ experience
needed to carry out their roles confidently.

Commenting on the importance of the course, Lizzie said:

This training is vital if animal keepers are going to maintain a good
standard of animal welfare. The growing popularity in keeping pets now means that exotics are, in some cases, as popular as domestic pets and therefore should be cared for to the same standard.

The RSPCA would like to remind people that although reptiles may look
resilient and tough on the outside they are actually very reliant on
their owners for heat, light, food and water – and it is not always easy
to see when they are poorly or suffering. The conditions these animals
need are not always easy to replicate in a home environment. Unlike cats
or dogs these animals have not undergone years of domestication,
therefore they are wild animals kept in captivity and their needs are
the same as in the wild.

Exotics, especially reptiles, commonly found in pet shops nowadays are
often handed over to buyers with very little or no information about how
to care for them or the commitment that is involved in keeping them
happy and healthy. For this reason the RSPCA is urging potential owners
to research and look into what is required in the care of their pet
first before taking one on so they know what is involved and how long it
is likely to be for.

There are books full of information on how to care for all sorts of
species and specialist vets are an excellent source of support and
advice. For further information on how to care for exotic animals please
visit: www.rspca.org.uk/exotics

For further information on the full range of Animal Management courses
at Sparsholt from Apprenticeships through to Masters degrees please
visit www.sparsholt.ac.uk/subject/animal-zoo-management/


Main Photo
: RSPCA Trainee with Reptile

RSPCA Exotic Training Session
RSPCA Exotic Training Session

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