Animal Handling and Restraint

An animal’s behaviour is a major indicator to take into account when handling:

• Yes
• No

It doesn’t matter how the handler behaves when handling an animal:

• Yes
• No

Identify how a rabbit should be safely handled:

• Put one hand on the shoulder of the animal and slide your other hand over and
  underneath the front legs so that the first finger is positioned between them.
  The thumb and middle finger can then close over the forelegs of the rabbit and
  the handler’s other hand should be used to lift the hindquarters. The rabbit can
  then be lifted and either placed in a carrier, on a handling table for examination
  or cradled against the handler’s chest or along their arm.
• Grab the rabbit by its ears and lift it up dangling until you get it onto a table.
• Put both hands around the chest of the rabbit and pick it up under its ribcage.
  Once off the floor, rest the rabbit against your chest and then move your hands so
  that one is on the rabbit’s back and the other is supporting the rump of the rabbit.

Identify how a cat should be safely handled:

• Grab the cat by placing two hands round its chest and talk loudly to it so it knows that you are there. Lift the cat up and place on a table.
• Sit next to the cat and stroke it. Scruff the cat and lift up onto your knee. Stroke the cat to reassure it.
• Calmly approach the cat, using confident movements and speaking quietly all the time. Approach the head first and then stroke down the body of the cat. Pick the cat up gently by placing one hand under the cat’s chest and the other hand under its hindquarters. Bring the cat towards you on your chest or along your arm, ensuring it feels secure.

Identify how a gerbil should be safely handled:

• Lift the gerbil up by the end of its tail and support on your other hand.
• Grasp the tail of the gerbil firmly at the base with one hand and place your other hand over the gerbil’s shoulders. Enclose this hand around the gerbil’s body, lift and turn to face you so that the gerbil is cradled in the palm of the hand to prevent it from struggling.
• Grasp the gerbil over the middle and lift up, supporting with your other hand.

Identify how a guinea pig should be safely handled:

• Watch the behaviour of the guinea pig initially. Grasp under the body with one hand while supporting the hindquarters with the other hand. Bring towards you and rest on your chest in order to promote security for the animal – keep one hand over the shoulders and one hand under the hindquarters. Speak reassuringly to the guinea pig at all times.
• Chase the guinea pig around its pen/cage. Speak loudly to it so it can hear you. Grab at the guinea pig and drag it towards you across its middle so that you can then lift it up and hold in mid air.
• Place both hands around the middle of the guinea pig and lift straight up into the air. Don’t speak to the guinea pig for fear of startling it.

How should you approach an animal?

• Quick and fast

• Slowly and down to its level

• Above the animal

• Corner it

Pick from the descriptions below the possible reasons for handling animals?

• Health Checks

• Grooming

• Transportation

• First Aid

• To cause stress

What statements below show how you would approach an animal for handling?

• Assess behaviour and body language

• Pick it straight up

• Quiet and confident

• Talk in a reassuring manner

Tick those behaviours that can be seen when an animal does not want to be handled:

• Bite

• Kick

• Vocal discouragement i.e. bark or hiss

• Running away

• Defensive posture