Animal Care Assistant (1764)

We are looking for an Animal Care Assistant to join our team at Felledge Animal Centre (Chester Moor, County Durham) on an 11 month fixed term contract. At Felledge we care for animals that have been rescued from cruelty or neglect, and rehabilitate and prepare them for a new life with caring and loving adopters.

Our cattery can house more than 60 cats at a time with comfy sleeping areas, toys and scratching posts to keep them occupied until they go to a new home. Many require gentle and careful handling at first as they recover from previous trauma and mistreatment until they realise they are safe.

Our state of the art kennels have been designed to cater specifically for cruelty case dogs that have to stay with us for extended periods, sometimes up to a year, while the court cases are ongoing. With over 40 dogs always on site, walking, socialising and training takes up most of the day to keep them happy and healthy before they start the next chapter of their lives. 

Working hours: 08:30 to 16:30 on a 2 week rolling rota to include alternate weekends with a weekday off either side of the weekend worked.

We are looking to interview candidates in November 2024.

To see more about life at the centre, you can visit our social media pages:

RSPCA Felledge Facebook

RSPCA Felledge Instagram

 
Are you ready to be part of our journey and make a difference?

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity at the largest animal welfare charity in England and Wales as an Animal Care Assistant. 

Our Animal Care Assistants are responsible for the care and rehabilitation of animals who have been rescued from cruelty, abuse and neglect.

You'll start your day cleaning the animals' accommodation,as well as feeding, watering and exercising them. It can be physically hard, but also rewarding and satisfying work knowing the animals are comfortable and happy when you are finished.

Our Animal Care Assistants ensure the highest standards of welfare, and will monitor and report on animal behaviour, wellbeing and health. You will also administer medication or treatment prescribed by a Vet, and implement behaviour modification programmes with guidance from our Behaviour and Welfare Advisors and the wider team.

Once the animals in our care are ready for their forever home, you will be involved in the adoption process, helping to find the perfect matched home for the animal you look after. You'll also meet with potential adopters to provide post-adoption advice and support.

Join our dedicated team for this amazing and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of animals.

• Experience working with animals through paid or voluntary work (not including your own pets). Good animal handling skills are essential.
• Resilience - many of the animals in our care have been victims of neglect and/or abuse and cruelty. 
• A strong desire to help our rescued animals have a future.
• You will need to have confidence to handle large breed dogs and dogs with difficult behaviours. Previous experience of this is highly desirable
• A passion and an interest in animal behaviour and training in order to contribute to the rehabilitation of animals
• Willing to undertake practical work outdoors in all weather (subject to reasonable adjustments if required).
• Excellent communication and team working skills - you'll be working with colleagues across the RSPCA, volunteers and members of the public.
• Able to multitask and work under pressure - working with animals can be busy and unpredictable! 
• Comfortable with using IT - you'll be keeping computerised records on the animals under your care. 
• Hold a full manual driving licence, subject to reasonable adjustments. Felledge is located in a rural area with limited public transport, and Animal Care Assistants are sometimes asked to drive RSPCA vehicles to undertake aspects of the role, for example Vet visits.
• Work shifts including alternate weekends and some bank holidays.
• Animal Care qualifications are desirable.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to achieving our core mission. For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA.

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect