Animal Care Assistant (1772)

Do you want to create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve kindness and respect. We work for the benefit of every animal – as well as pets, that includes farmed animals, wildlife, and animals used in science. Choose a career with us and make a difference for every kind.

We are looking for a new team member to join us on a permanent basis as an Animal Care Assistant, you will be working as part of the Ashley Heath team reporting into Gaynor Cannings. 

• This is a full time role working 35 hours per week on a 4-week rota (including 2 weekends in 4), between 08.45 and 17.15. Including some bank holidays.

It's important to us that you feel part of our team from the start. We like to keep in touch with regular check-ins and team meetings. There's always a teammate around for support or a quick chat.

Are you ready to join our movement?

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

Our Animal Care Assistants are essential to the care,  rehabilitation and eventual rehoming of animals who have been rescued from cruelty and neglect.

You'll start your day cleaning by  the enclosures of our intakes, ranging from dogs, cats, rabbits and other small domestic species, as well as feeding, watering, grooming and exercising them.

You'll 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'll work with potential adopters to assess their suitability and provide post-adoption advice and support.

• Experience working with animals, either through paid or voluntary work (not including your own pets).
• Resilience - many of the animals in our care have been victims of neglect and/or cruelty. 
• Willing to undertake practical work outdoors in all weather.
• 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. 
• We are located in a rural area with limited public transport. It is therefore important you have your own means of transport to travel to and from work

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