SEG Awards Level 3 Award in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare (RQF)

This is an Ofqual-regulated Level 3 qualification awarded by SEG Awards that provides specialist knowledge of feline health, welfare, and behaviour. It consists of two mandatory units: Unit 1 covers the health and welfare of cats in cattery environments, including disease prevention, environmental enrichment, and medication administration; Unit 2 covers feline psychology, communication behaviour, learning theory, and the human–feline relationship. The qualification is fully online and assessed entirely by written assignments, with no examinations and no placement requirement.

No prior professional experience with cats or formal animal care qualifications are required to enrol on this course. The Level 3 Award is designed to be accessible to motivated learners who have a genuine interest in cats and feline welfare, whether they are complete beginners, experienced cat owners, or professionals working with cats who want formal recognition of their knowledge. If you have existing knowledge of animal care, our tutors will help you identify where your experience maps to the qualification units.

No. The SEG Awards Level 3 Award in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare is assessed entirely through written assignments. There is no placement requirement and no practical observation component. This makes it accessible to learners who are not currently working in a cattery, rescue centre, or animal care setting. If you do work or volunteer with cats, you may be able to draw on your practical experiences in your assignment responses — but this is not a requirement.

The Level 3 Award in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare is the smaller qualification, comprising two mandatory units that provide a solid specialist introduction to feline health, welfare, and behaviour. The Level 3 Diploma in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare is a larger and more comprehensive qualification, covering a broader range of units and providing a deeper level of specialist knowledge and competence. The Award is a good entry point for those new to feline studies or those who want a focused, shorter qualification; the Diploma is suited to those seeking a more substantial qualification for professional development or career progression.

Assessment is entirely through written assignments. For each of the two mandatory units, you complete a written assignment that is submitted online through the learning platform and marked by a qualified tutor. There are no timed examinations and no requirement to attend a test centre. If your assignment does not meet the required standard on first submission, your tutor will provide detailed feedback and you will have the opportunity to resubmit. Both units must be passed to be awarded the SEG Awards Level 3 Award in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare.

The qualification is most useful for: cattery workers and supervisors who want a formal, nationally recognised feline qualification; animal rescue and rehoming staff working with cats; professional cat sitters and home boarders who want to demonstrate formal knowledge to clients and licensing authorities; veterinary nursing assistants working in feline practices; people considering a career change into cat care or animal welfare; and committed cat owners who want an expert-level understanding of feline health, behaviour, and welfare. The qualification is also a useful component for those building a wider animal care portfolio.

Most learners complete the SEG Awards Level 3 Award in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare within 3 to 6 months, studying around 4 to 6 hours per week. The course is fully self-paced and online, so you can work faster or slower depending on your schedule and existing knowledge. There is no fixed completion deadline within the standard enrolment period, giving you flexibility to fit your studies around work, family, and other commitments.

Yes. The SEG Awards Level 3 Award in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare is an Ofqual-regulated qualification that demonstrates formal, assessed knowledge of feline health, welfare, and behaviour at Level 3. This is valued by cattery employers, rescue organisations, veterinary practices, and local authorities when considering candidates for cat care, welfare inspection, and animal management roles. It is particularly useful for self-employed cat care professionals — cat sitters, groomers, and home boarders — who want to demonstrate professional credentials to potential clients and licensing bodies. For roles requiring hands-on veterinary clinical work, a registered veterinary nursing qualification would also be required.

Yes. The Level 3 Award in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare provides a strong foundation for progression to the Level 3 Diploma in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare, which covers a broader and deeper range of feline topics. Learners may also progress to broader Level 3 or Level 4 animal care qualifications, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Kennel and Cattery Management or the Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour. If your interest extends to animal behaviour more broadly, qualifications in animal-assisted intervention, small animal hydrotherapy, or veterinary nursing may also be appropriate next steps depending on your career goals.