Animal Centre Guidance

The Animal Centre is based on the main college campus in Bury St Edmunds, just behind Edmund House. The Animal Centre is divided into 5 areas, all of which house a different selection of animals. This includes:

Isolation Room for new, sick or injured animals. Provides the students with a room where they can practice barrier nursing and support the care/treatment of animals
Exotics Room for reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and fish
Nocturnal Room with reversed lighting for housing exotic mammals
Small Mammal and Bird Room with a range of different species from rabbits and rodents to parakeets
Livestock Stable and Paddock for our herd of goats and waterfowl

If you would like to see some images of the Animal Centre, please visit our Facebook page or our Instagram page.

All students are timetabled to undertake ‘Routine Duties’ within the Animal Centre for 1.5 hours per week. During this time, it is the student’s responsibility to undertake the husbandry tasks required for the daily care of a range of animals within the Centre. We will be building on the students’ practical skills throughout the year, preparing them for industry.

To be able to work within the Animal Centre students are required to purchase a branded navy veterinary style tunic and a separate pair of sturdy boots. Information on how to purchase the tunic (including a sizing guide) can be found within the Summer Workbook that was sent to all students for completion before joining the course.

Students must also:

Tie long hair back
Remove all jewellery including rings and watches (flat studs are permitted)
Have no nail varnish or false nails
Bring a padlock for a locker to use during practical sessions
be required to get a tetanus vaccination prior to starting the course. Many of you will have had this as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. If you're not sure if you've had this vaccination, please contact your GP for advice.

Students can purchase their alternative footwear from a company of their choice. We recommend steel toe capped boots, which can be purchased from a variety of places including Sports Direct, Screwfix, Shoe Zone, Tool Station etc.

Students are required to purchase one of the following:

1x Legacy Classic Healthcare Tunic Navy with White trim OR
1x Drayford Tunic Navy with White Trim
Optional: Winter parka for working outside

There is also the option to purchase an Animal Studies branded hoodie, though this element is not compulsory.

How to buy uniform

1. Log onto www.mydencowear.com

2. Enter your unique course code

3. The page will display all optional items for your course as chosen by the college

4. Select the items you require.

5. Press CONTINUE

6. Continue to checkout and register an account with us by using your First Name, Surname, email address and a password of your choice or you can choose to be a guest.

7. Please make sure you fill out all of the relevant fields.

8. Payment to be made by card – we do not accept American Express

9. Once you confirm your order, you will be provided with a unique reference number. Please make a note of this to help as it will assist us should you need to contact us.

10.Your order will be delivered to your home address within 21 working days

11. As the uniform is embroidered, it is NON RETURNABLE.

Unique Codes

New Students WSC-VETF or WSC-VETM
Returning Students (Year 2's) WSC-RESF or WSC-RSM

Codes with F in are Alcott Tunics. Codes with M in are Drayford Tunics.

Alcott: for those who prefer a fitted, shaped tunic.
Drayford: for those who prefer a traditional, looser straight tunic.

Email: students@salonweardirect.co.uk

Please Note - personalised items (items with embroidery or print) cannot be returned for a refund or exchange, please make sure you select your correct size. There are samples within the Animal Centre that you can try on if you are unsure.