The route, drawn out
DWG A369 · 4 stops · 1 year to qualify-
Day one Start as an apprentice from £15.6k
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1 year Fully qualified around £21k
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+3–5 years Experienced up to £28k
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Then Level 3 animal management or specialist… next step
The first figures are legal minimums: the apprentice rate (£8.00/hr) and the National Minimum Wage for 18–20s and 21+ from April 2026, on a 37.5-hour week. Qualified and experienced pay are indicative UK ranges — most employers pay apprentices above the minimum.
What the job is
Animal care apprenticeships cover husbandry, health, handling and welfare across a wide range of settings. It is popular, so competition for places is real, and relevant volunteering makes a big difference to applications.
The work is physical and involves cleaning, early starts and emotionally hard days, but it is the standard first step for careers in veterinary nursing, zoo keeping, rescue and animal behaviour.
A typical day
- Feed, clean, exercise and monitor animals daily
- Spot and report signs of illness or distress
- Handle and restrain animals safely and calmly
- Maintain accurate records and enclosure hygiene
- Talk to owners and the public about animal welfare
How you get in
- No formal qualifications required for most level 2 apprenticeships
- Volunteering or work experience with animals is effectively expected
- Physically fit and not squeamish
- Driving licence helps for rural centres
Where it leads
- Level 3 animal management or specialist husbandry
- Veterinary nursing apprenticeship
- Zoo keeping, rescue centre or behaviour roles
- Kennel or centre management
Where to train for this
68 colleges and training providers on our list cover Animal Care & Welfare Assistant training. Open your region to see them, then check current intakes with the provider directly.