Stand out from the crowd – become a cat professional

Within the cat world, like anywhere else, there are people who want to work in a highly professional way, doing the job based on maximum knowledge and current information. Yet it can be hard for these people to differentiate themselves from others who may be less diligent about the cats in their care. Now the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), working with Royal Canin, and in association with the Centre for Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE), is launching a set of distance education courses for cat professionals – those working to the highest level with cats in breeding, rescue or cattery situations. All the courses are accredited by the Open College Network and are nationally recognised qualifications. 

Each distance learning course has two stages – a compulsory first stage which is common to all of the courses – and a specifically designed second stage. Each stage has six units which can be completed over a period of 10 months. The first stage course covers feline behaviour, feline diseases (infectious and non-infectious), preventative health care, feline nutrition and feline reproduction. Students who complete the first year will receive an Advanced Award in Essential Cat Health and Welfare.

For the second stage each discipline has its own set of six units which build on the depth of feline knowledge following on from stage 1 and focus on a particular interest – breeding, rescue or boarding cattery. Students who then complete the second year will achieve enough credits from the combined courses to achieve a Diploma in the Health and Welfare of Cats in Breeding, Boarding or Rescue – this is quite an achievement. They can then also then join the FAB Institute of Cat Professionals and be listed on the FAB website as gaining this high standard.

The courses are run in partnership with COAPE which provides the framework and the administration for accreditation for these courses through the Open College Network, a nationally recognised accreditation scheme. The cat professional courses have been put together by FAB experts to provide practical, concise and accurate information for those working with cats on a professional basis. FAB is recognised for its expertise in feline information. Through its veterinary division, the International Society of Feline Medicine, it provides education, conferences and a highly regarded journal for vets. Its website (www.fabcats.org), which provides information for owners and cat professionals, receives almost 25 million hits annually. FAB’s new division, the International Fund for Cat Welfare focuses on the unowned cat and the need for information and standards in this difficult area of cat care.

Students register for the courses with the COAPE at www.coape.co.uk. Each course comprises six units which are administered online. Each unit has a workbook which students complete and return to COAPE from where it is sent to FAB tutors who will mark the units and give students feedback. Courses run twice a year – starting in February and September. Registrations must be received by January 15 and August 15, respectively. 

For further information go to www.fabcats.org/catprofessionals or to register go to www.coape.co.uk

                                                                  Ends                                          September 1 2011

For further details contact Karen Bessant, FAB press officer at karen@fabcats.org or telephone FAB headquarters on 01747 871 872.