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ECC 2025 NJW0886
Animal Care

Whether you’ve always had a natural connection with animals or you’re just beginning to explore the idea of working with them, the animal care sector offers countless pathways to build a rewarding future. At East Coast College, we help you turn that passion into real‑world skills and exciting opportunities.

Our animal care courses are designed for students who embrace their potential and aren’t afraid to follow their curiosity. From veterinary nursing to wildlife conservation, our courses open the door to careers that make a genuine difference. With hands‑on learning, expert guidance, work experience and access to a wide range of species, you’ll gain the confidence and experience you need to secure your next step.

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Animal Care FAQs


You’ll be able to meet a wide variety of animals at our centre, including rabbits, guinea pigs, degus, rats, striped mice, several small birds, African pygmy hedgehogs, a Horsfield tortoise, white tree frogs, gargoyle geckos, Rankin’s dragons, bearded dragons, a corn snake, a python, a blue‑tongue skink, various fish, and a selection of invertebrates, with plans to continue expanding the collection over time.


Yes. Work experience is an important part of many of our courses, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable industry experience. Our dedicated Work Experience Coordinator will support you in exploring your career interests and finding a placement that's right for you.


Yes. As part of your course, you'll gain hands-on experience caring for our onsite animals. This includes preparing and providing food, carrying out routine health checks, and completing both spot cleans and full enclosure cleans as part of their daily care.


Yes. Students have the opportunity to take part in a range of educational trips and visit that enhance their learning. Recent destinations have included Colchester Zoo, Africa Alive, Banham Zoo, Umphafa Nature Reserve in South Africa, the Museum of Zoology, the Sealife Centre, Pakefield Pastures and many more. These experiences provide valuable opportunities to observe wildlife, develop practical skills and apply classroom learning in real-world settings. 

Explore our Facilities

The Burrow

The Burrow

Our Animal Care Centre provides a dedicated learning environment where students develop practical skills while caring for a variety of animals. The centre houses our animals and is used exclusively by Animal Care students as part of their specialist training.

Student Stories

Hear from students who turned ambition into achievement through our courses.

Trips and Guest Speakers

Our Animal Care students take part in a variety of exciting trips and activities, as well as enjoying talks from guest speakers who share their knowledge and experience. Take a look at some of the fantastic opportunities they’ve been involved in.

Your Future Starts Here

Take a look through the gallery below to see our Animal Care students in action and get a glimpse of the hands-on learning that could shape your future.

See what our employer partners are saying

UmPhafa Nature Reserve

"At UmPhafa, the students are exposed to life on a game reserve from various perspectives by actually working alongside those that work here on a daily basis. Over the course of the trip, the students are exposed to many different game reserve areas to give them an idea of conservation through an educational experience. We were delighted to have East Coast College join us as it gave us the chance to educate and show the students interested in the field of conservation the practicalities of running a game reserve."


UmPhafa Nature Reserve

Amanda Warren