10 Recommended Certifications for Cat Owners! Qualifications Useful for Pet Industry Employment and Cat Care Explained

Many people live with cats, and it is said that their numbers even exceed those of dogs.

To ensure your precious cat lives a long and healthy life, you need knowledge about how to care for them. However, you might sometimes worry about whether your knowledge is truly correct.

That is why "getting certified" is recommended. This time, we will introduce qualifications that are useful for learning how to care for cats.

There are significant benefits to obtaining cat-related qualifications

There are many benefits to obtaining cat-related qualifications.

• You will gain confidence in how to care for your cat
• You will become more knowledgeable about feline behavior and diseases
• You will be able to manage your cat's health

These are all great things for your cat’s health and happiness. Furthermore, there is the added benefit of making it easier to get a job working with pets.

That said, there are various cat-related qualifications, which can be broadly divided into "private qualifications" and "national qualifications."

Private qualifications have a lower level of difficulty but are suitable for learning a wide range of knowledge about cats. National qualifications are extremely difficult because they require specialized education and training, but you can acquire professional knowledge and skills.

Although you will need to attend courses or take exams, it is something that will also benefit your cat, so why not give it a try!

10 Recommended Cat-Related Qualifications

To obtain a qualification, you can study at universities or vocational schools, as well as through seminars or correspondence courses. Here, we will introduce recommended qualifications related to cats.

Veterinarian

A veterinarian is a national qualification that allows you to work in animal hospitals, as well as public institutions and pharmaceutical companies. You will perform examinations, treatments, and vaccinations for cats and other pets.

To obtain this qualification, you must enter a university with a department of veterinary medicine, complete a six-year curriculum, and pass the national examination.

Animal Nursing Technician

An Animal Nursing Technician is a national qualification for specialized veterinary nurses. In addition to assisting with examinations and surgeries for pets like cats, they can also perform medical support duties such as blood sampling, medication administration, and microchip implantation.

While animal nursing was previously only a private qualification, it became a national qualification following the promulgation of the "Animal Nursing Technician Act" in 2019. You can take the exam by graduating from a university after completing animal nursing-related subjects or by having three or more years of practical experience at a designated training center.

Pet Care Manager

The Pet Care Manager (Aigan Dobutsu Shiyo Kanrishi) is a popular private qualification. It serves as proof that you possess a wide range of knowledge regarding the health management, discipline, nutrition, and legal regulations concerning pets like cats.

You can become eligible for the exam by studying using provided materials, attending schooling sessions, and submitting assignments. There are 1st grade and 2nd grade levels; you must pass the 2nd grade exam before you can take the 1st grade exam.

This qualification also serves as one of the certification requirements for the Class 1 Animal Handling Business registration with prefectural governments.

Domestic Animal Care Specialist

The Domestic Animal Care Specialist is a private qualification for professionals working with animals. You learn not only knowledge of biological animal management but also hygiene management, legal regulations, and basic customer service.

This qualification also serves as one of the certification requirements for the Class 1 Animal Handling Business registration with prefectural governments.

Pet First Aid Responder

The Pet First Aid Responder qualification allows you to learn about pet upbringing, health management, basic knowledge of injuries and diseases, and how to respond during accidents or disasters through correspondence education.

Pet Sitter

Pet Sitter is a private qualification that can be utilized in pet shops, pet hotels, and pet salons.

Among these, the "Certified Pet Sitter" from the Pet Sitter School and the "Pet Sitter Shi" from the Japan Pet Sitter Association are popular. A feature of these is that you can choose how you learn, such as through in-person classes or online.

【Certified Pet Sitter】

【Pet Sitter Shi】

Cat Care Specialist

Cat Care Specialist is a qualification that can be obtained through a correspondence course.

It serves as proof that you are a specialist who has mastered everything from basic cat rearing and management methods to nursing, elderly care, breeding, ecology, and grooming.

Cat Health Management Specialist

The Cat Health Management Specialist is a qualification for learning knowledge about grooming, other care methods, and disease prevention for managing a cat's health.

Pet Geriatric Care Specialist

Pet Geriatric Care Specialist is a recommended qualification for those looking to get into a pet care job or those living with senior pets, as you can acquire knowledge related to pet elderly care.

Cat Certification Exam (Neko Kentei)

The "Cat Certification Exam" allows you to learn about cats extensively and is popular for its certification cards and badges you receive upon passing. It has beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, and anyone can take the exam.

Permissions and Licenses are Also Required for Starting Businesses like Cat Cafes

When opening a cat cafe or pet hotel, registering for a "Class 1 Animal Handling Business" with the head of the prefecture or government-designated city is mandatory.

Furthermore, to apply for Class 1 Animal Handling Business registration, you also need to appoint an "Animal Handling Supervisor." To become an Animal Handling Supervisor, you must meet one of the following requirements and complete the designated training.

• Possess a veterinarian license
• Possess an animal nursing technician license
• At least six months of practical experience or one year or more of husbandry experience + graduation from a school that teaches about animals for one year or more
• At least six months of practical experience or one year or more of husbandry experience + acquisition of a qualification from an impartial, professional organization

If you aim to obtain Class 1 Animal Handling Business registration, make sure to check which "qualifications" meet the requirements for an Animal Handling Supervisor before taking the exam.

Reference: From the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health, Tokyo Animal Protection Consultation Center website

Summary

Here is a summary list of the 10 recommended cat-related qualifications.

To acquire a wide range of knowledge about cats, we recommend starting with the "Pet Care Manager" qualification. Also, the "Cat Certification Exam" is popular among all generations, so feel free to challenge yourself with it!

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