Behaviour and Welfare Advisor (2478)

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 Behaviour and Welfare Advisor.

Working hours: 35 hours / Monday – Sunday working on a rota
Onsite role: Your base will be our Stapeley Grange Cattery; however, you will also be required to work at our Manchester Animal Hospital and Stockport Adoption Centre. Therefore, you must be able to travel to all locations as needed.

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?

No two days are the same at the RSPCA. As a Behaviour and Welfare Advisor, you'll assess and monitor the welfare of cats, and small animals, with a growing focus on cats arriving from multi-cat households who often present complex behavioural issues due to poor early socialisation. You'll design and implement structured intervention plans, enabling faster rehabilitation, shorter stays, and greater rehoming success. Working closely with colleagues, volunteers, and behaviour specialists, you'll provide training, advice, and hands-on support - both at your base and across Manchester centres - ensuring animals with the most challenging needs have the best chance of a happy future.

• Assess and monitor the behaviour and welfare of mostly cats, and dogs in our care.
• Develop and implement tailored behaviour and welfare plans, with a particular focus on more complex cases.
• Support and train staff and volunteers to care for and rehabilitate animals effectively.
• Provide pre- and post-adoption advice to help ensure successful rehoming and reduce return rates.
• Visit other RSPCA centres, branches, and private boarding establishments to support animal welfare decisions.

Essential:

• Applicants must hold a Level 5 qualification attracting 120 UCAS points (UK Tariff or equivalent)  Candidates who are currently working towards such a qualification may also be considered, provided they can demonstrate substantial, directly relevant work experience and a clear developmental pathway towards completion.
• Full UK Drivers license - you will frequently be required to travel between multiple sites.

Desirable:

• Proven ability to apply theoretical behaviour modification and training principles (beyond your own pets).
• Experience training others in handling, training, and behaviour modification.
• Strong IT and administrative skills. Preferably on Google platform.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to support and engage colleagues, volunteers, and the public.
• A pragmatic and compassionate approach to animal welfare.

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

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