There are many hundreds of 'qualifications' which imply the holder has achieved academic or practical excellence in caring for animals. Many are spurious.
To be meaningful, qualifications must be externally verified by an independent awarding body. These include those which have the highest level of academic accreditation such as Universities, those which have their own government authorised statutry, regulatory bodies such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (which also regulates the qualifications of Veterinary Nurses) and a long list of other bodies which fulfill the stringent demands of the Department of Education and are listed on the Ofqual Register of Accrediting Organisations (click here to access the full list).
Usually, although not always, organisations which are groups of individuals coming together for a common purpose to promote a particular service do not have qualifications which are externally accredited so, say, the The Hogwash Club whose members are mobile pig cleaners, may have a course for their members which allow their members the suffix QH (Qualified Hogwasher). The course may be very good but the qualification is meaningless unless that 'award' is externally verified. Some organisations like the Hogwash Club may actually 'create' an awarding body which makes it look as if the qualification is accredited but, again, unless that awarding body is listed on the OfQual Register, is is not valid.
There are many 'qualifications' like these in the animal care sector. This is especially true of dog walkers, dog trainers, home boarders and dog creches. Some have credibity but many are valueless.
Those listed on the National Register of Accredited Petcare Professionals are fully qualified and they have sector experience. We know because the Animal Care College, which was founded in 1980, has been around a long time and our verifiers (who hold C&G or Laser Learning Awards qualifications) actaully check every application, every certificate and every referee to ensure they are valid.
Accredited Petcare Professionals have also all signed up to a Code of Best Practice which includes taking part in Continuing Professional Devlopment. You can access the Code of Practice through the 'Menu' button at the top left of the page.
