Animal Care Assistant (2167)

A bit about us

Do you want to help create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe animal welfare is everyone's welfare. Join us in creating a better world for every animal. We can do it if we work together, everyone for every animal.

Choose a career with us and make a difference! We are looking for a new team member as an Animal Care Assistant located in our Ashley Heath Animal Centre located in Ringwood.

Working hours: 35 hours / Mon - Friday including weekend shifts.
Applicants must be located within a commutable distance to our Centre.

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?

What a day might look like for you

Here at RSPCA we know it's a cliche but no two days are the same, as an Animal Care Assistant we've added a short summary of what a typical day might look like.

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity at the largest animal welfare charity in the UK as an Animal Care Assistant. Our amazing Animal Care Assistants are critical in the day to day operation of our Animal Centres. You will work as part of a team with our staff and volunteers in providing care, compassion and enrichment and socialisation for all animals in the centre. 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 and watering them, and then start the daily exercise routine. It can be physically hard, but also very 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 an animal's life!

What you'll bring:

Experience working with animals either through paid or voluntary work (not including your own pets).
Experience working around large dog breeds. Some of the dogs we currently face are of large size & unsocialised. We will require an individual who has the experience & confidence to manage the characteristics of these dogs effectively.
Resilience - many of the animals in our care have been victims of neglect and/or abuse and cruelty.
Emotional resilience of euthanasia - although you will not be required to conduct euthanasia, there may be times where you will be exposed to this; such as transporting or being present of a euthanised animal.
Willing to undertake practical work outdoors in all weather (practical work 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.

Desirable

Experience working in a kennel, animal rescue or welfare environment.
Knowledge of canine behaviour.
A qualification in animal management.
Hold a full manual driving licence.

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

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

Final note from us & good luck with your application!

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 are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed to our 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. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family!

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

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