The Pre-Veterinary, Small Animal Care course is designed as a semester course to provide students with basic knowledge and skills needed to care for small animals. Areas of study will include the history of animal domestication, an overview of the small animal industry, animal rights and welfare, careers in small animal care, nutrition and digestive systems, handling and restraining small animals, guidelines for general safety when working with small animals, and an in-depth look at a range of small animals which may include dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, amphibians, fish, reptiles, and birds. The course will help to prepare students for post secondary education and/or a career in the field of veterinary medicine and/or small animal care.