ACACED : Tout Savoir sur l'Attestation de Connaissances pour les Animaux

ACACED: Everything You Need to Know About the Animal Knowledge Certificate

📜 Do you want to work with companion animals in France? The ACACED (Certificate of Knowledge for Companion Animals of Domestic Species) is a mandatory certification to carry out certain professional activities related to animals. Let’s discover everything you need to know about this certificate!

🔍 What is the ACACED?

The ACACED is an official certificate that certifies you have the necessary knowledge to carry out professional activities related to companion animals. Since 2016, it has replaced the former Domestic Animal Capacity Certificate (CCAD).

🎯 Goal: Ensure animal welfare by making sure professionals have the required skills to care for animals.

👨💼 Who Must Obtain the ACACED?

The ACACED is mandatory for anyone commercially engaged in the following activities:

  • 🐶 Breeding of Dogs or Cats (from the sale of one litter per year)
  • 🏪 Sale of Companion Animals (pet shops, online sales)
  • 🐕 Animal Boarding (pet care)
  • 🐩 Professional Grooming
  • 🚚 Transport of Live Animals
  • 🏫 Dog Training (training, behaviorist)
  • 🏠 Shelter or Pound
  • 🐾 Public Presentation of Animals (exhibitions, fairs)

⚠️ Important: If you are a private individual and only occasionally sell a single litter, the ACACED is not mandatory.

📚 The 3 ACACED Categories

The ACACED is divided into 3 categories based on the species concerned:

  • 🐶 Dogs Category
  • 🐱 Cats Category
  • 🐹 Other Animals Category (NAC: New Companion Animals - rodents, birds, reptiles, etc.)

💡 Tip: You can take the ACACED for one, two, or all three categories depending on your professional needs.

🎯 How to Obtain the ACACED?

📝 1. Registration for the Training

To obtain the ACACED, you must complete a mandatory training with an organization approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Training Duration :

  • ⏱️ Minimum 14 hours per category (dogs, cats, or other animals)
  • ⏱️ 18 hours for 2 categories
  • ⏱️ 22 hours for 3 categories

📚 2. Training Content

The ACACED training covers several essential topics:

  • 🦠 Animal biology and behavior
  • 🏥 Housing and feeding
  • 💉 Animal health and veterinary care
  • 📜 Regulations (legislation, animal welfare)
  • 👶 Breeding (for breeders)
  • 🛡️ Selection and holding
  • 🚚 Transport (if applicable)

✅ 3. Pass the Exam

At the end of the training, you must take a multiple-choice exam (Multiple Choice Questionnaire).

Exam Procedures :

  • 📋 30 questions per category
  • ✅ Minimum 60% correct answers to pass (18/30)
  • ⏱️ Duration: 30 minutes per category

🎉 In case of success: You receive your ACACED certificate valid for 10 years.

❌ In case of failure: You can retake the exam after completing new training.

💰 What is the Cost of the ACACED?

The price of the ACACED training varies depending on the organizations and the number of categories:

  • 💵 1 category: 200 to 400 €
  • 💵 2 categories: 300 to 550 €
  • 💵 3 categories: 400 to 700 €

💡 Good to know: Some trainings can be funded by organizations (Pôle Emploi, OPCO, CPF depending on the case).

⏳ Validity and Renewal

📅 The ACACED is valid for 10 years.

Renewal :

  • 🔄 Before expiration, you must complete a refresher training (7 hours per category)
  • 📝 No exam for renewal, only training
  • ⏰ Renewal can be done within 2 years before expiration

⚠️ Attention: If your ACACED expires, you will have to retake the full training and exam!

🏫 Where to take the ACACED?

The ACACED training must be provided by a training organization approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Available formats :

  • 🏫 In-person training: At a training center
  • 💻 Distance training: Online (e-learning) with in-person exam
  • 🔄 Mixed training: Combination of both

🔍 To find an approved organization, consult the official list on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

  • 👉 Is the ACACED mandatory for all breeders?
    No, it is mandatory only for breeders who sell at least one litter per year. If you are a private individual and only sell occasionally, it is not required.
  • 👉 Can I work without ACACED?
    No, practicing a professional activity with animals without ACACED is illegal and subject to penalties (fines, closure of the establishment).
  • 👉 Is the ACACED valid throughout France?
    Yes, the ACACED is valid throughout the entire French territory.
  • 👉 What is the difference between ACACED and certificate of capacity?
    The ACACED replaced the CCAD (Certificate of Capacity) in 2016. If you had a CCAD, it remains valid until its expiration, after which you must pass the ACACED.

✨ Conclusion

The ACACED is an essential certification for all professionals working with pets in France. It ensures that you have the necessary knowledge to guarantee the well-being and health of the animals in your care.

💕 At Câlinerie.fr, we encourage all professionals to train and obtain their ACACED to offer the best to our four-legged companions!

📌 And of course the ACACED, although not mandatory, is one of our goals for the coming weeks, dog category 🐶🐱 you can imagine! Registration already underway with the Société Centrale Canine.
✨ More info here: https://www.centrale-canine.fr/articles/tout-savoir-sur-la-formation-acaced

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