The College of Animal Welfare was founded in 1989 by one of the leading animal welfare charities, Wood Green Animal Shelters in Cambridgeshire. The vision was to use education to help tackle animal welfare issues and the problem of unwanted and abandoned animals. In 1996, the College, known at the time as the Wood Green College of Animal Welfare, became an independently run, not-for-profit, organization in its own right and altered its name to The College of Animal Welfare. Today, the College has centers in Cambridgeshire, North London, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Scotland and specializes in training in the land-based sector. We strongly believe that education and training are the keys to raising standards of animal welfare. To this end, we strive to create new and accessible occasions for learning and encourage employers and those working with animals to undertake appropriate levels of training and maintain with lifelong learning and education.  The College of Animal Welfare is committed to enabling our students to make the most of their time with us, enjoying their experience, along with obtaining valuable abilities and qualifications to provide a bright and prosperous future. In addition to this, we also want to give our learners the foundations to reach their ambitions as future-proof individuals.

Our mission and values

Mission Statement

‘Ensuring innovative learning occasions in pursuit of professional excellence

Values – PRIDE

Professionalism – To obtain vital qualities and characteristics

Respect – To demonstrate mutual respect and tolerance for all, regardless of circumstances, faith or beliefs

Integrity – To value honesty and show strong moral principles

Diversity – To nurture togetherness, to enable all without exception, and widen participation

Excellence – To strive to be the best you can be

The College has a well-earned reputation for excellence, delivering quality training and education, and has a history of being a pioneer with a number of matchless achievements; the most notable is the creation of the first-ever BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing program in 1998 and the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants program in 2005.