Animal Care Assistant

Job Description
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Animal Care Assistant to join our team. As an Animal Care Assistant, you will play a vital role in providing care and support to animals in our facility. This is a rewarding opportunity for individuals who have a passion for animal welfare and want to make a difference in the lives of animals.

Responsibilities

1. Assist with the preliminary assessment, ongoing inspection and treatment of animals. Carry out checks on animals, including taking temperatures, inspecting eyes, ears, nose and throat for signs of infection or abnormality, and reporting any abnormalities to Deputy/Branch Manager. Identify a suitable diet, prepare and provide food and water for all animals in the establishment.
2. Attend to the needs of the individuals, including socialising, grooming, and administration of first aid and medications as directed.
3. Complete paperwork and maintain computerised records relating to the acceptance, assessment, care and rehoming of animals. Maintain daily animal records and general administrative duties.
4. Clean, disinfect and maintain to a standard of cleanliness set by management; animal accommodation, isolation, food preparation kitchen, laundry, storage areas, reception, offices, staff facilities including toilets and outside areas. Ensure the cattery is secure at all times.
5. Undertake basic site maintenance.
6. Attend to the needs of the client/customer/general public, face to face, over the telephone and by email regarding animals at the centre and undertake initial assessments of animals and prospective adopters on their suitability and fit to one another. Provide post-adoption advice.
7. Operate the cash register and ensure the safe receipt of money.
8. Stay overnight one night per week at Ashford Garden Cattery (accommodation provided).
9. Undertake other duties as required by the Deputy/Branch Manager, such as driving animals to the vet, assisting with educational visits/talks, fostering and hand rearing animals, undertaking and/or arranging home inspection visits, implanting microchips and completion of microchip records, assisting with animal promotional initiatives, writing adoption stories and taking photos, creating content for social media and monitoring/posting on accounts regularly, and participating in fundraising initiatives and events.

All staff are required to:

1. Undertake training on animal care and other relevant topics, where necessary.
2. Adhere to the Branch charitable objectives by promoting kindness and preventing animal cruelty.
3. Understand and comply with the Branch Code of Conduct.
4. Take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions.
5. Comply with all Branch policies and procedures.

Specifications

Essential
Qualifications - GCSEs or equivalent
Experience - Animal Care Experience
Customer service or experience of working with the general public
Working as part of a team
Skills and Competencies - Good communication skills
Good customer service skills
Personal Qualities - Sympathy with the RSPCA's aims and policies
Flexible and positive approach to work
Non-judgemental attitude
Special Circumstances - Prepared to work weekends and/or unsocial hours
Prepared to cover overnights on a rota basis, one night per week
Full, current UK driving license

Desirable

• Animal welfare qualification
• Professional experience working with the animal care/welfare/husbandry industry
• Social media experience
• Content creation
• Fundraising experience

If you are passionate about animal welfare and want to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in need, we encourage you to apply for the position of Animal Care Assistant. Join our team and help us provide the best care possible for our furry friends.

Please note that only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Thank you for your interest in this position.

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £8.64-£11.44 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:

• Flexitime
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• Weekend availability

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• Animal care: 2 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person
Reference ID: ACA24