Cert in Animal Care at Durham College in Oshawa, Canada is a certificate in Animal Science programme. The programme runs for 2 semesters, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition is CAD 3,212 per year for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Certificate
Field:Animal Science
Duration: 2 semesters
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 3,212 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
Effective client relations with pet owners are fundamental to providing quality care. As part of the Animal Care program, you’ll develop strong communication skills that are essential when working with pet owners. It’s important to be able to explain an animal's needs or health conditions in a way that owners can understand and act upon. This aspect of the program ensures that you’ll be able to build trust with clients as their animal care attendant, fostering better cooperation when it comes to the care and well-being of their pets. You'll also learn how to participate in medical discussions with veterinary medical professionals in the veterinary setting. Assisting in client communication and education in parasite prevention, nutrition, behaviour, and including sensitive topics, such as discussing an animal's illness or end-of-life care, with compassion and professionalism.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status, plus Grade 12 English (C or U) and Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U); no minimum admission average is stated. English-language proficiency follows Durham College's institution-wide policy for certificate, diploma, advanced-diploma and graduate-certificate programs: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, PTE Academic 53 overall with no section below 49, CAEL 60 overall with no section below 60, or Duolingo English Test 110 or higher; a Grade 12 English credit, post-secondary English course, GED, CAEC or a successful pre-admission assessment also satisfies it, and Durham offers pre-admission assessment testing to domestic applicants aged 19 or over who lack a required credit. From September 2026 the program is delivered at the Oshawa campus.
Application Details
Start Date:Two intakes a year - September and January. Current cycle class starts: 8 September 2026 and 11 January 2027.
Application Deadline:Domestic (apply at ontariocolleges.ca): equal-consideration date 1 February 2026 for September 2026 entry and 1 October 2026 for January 2027 entry - Durham's standing rule is 1 February for a September start and 1 October for a January start. Applications completed after the equal-consideration date are still accepted and assessed while seats remain. International: apply through Durham College's own international application, not ontariocolleges.ca; Durham publishes no general international closing date and directs applicants to the Intakes and Availability table on the program page.
