Animal Care Assistant - Berkshire

At the National Animal Welfare Trust, we never stop caring for our animals and people. As a rescue and rehoming charity, operating five rehoming centres and three shops across the south of England, we are committed to improving the lives of the UK’s pets, helping around 1,500 animals each year. We need an enthusiastic and self-motivated Animal Care Assistant to join our friendly team in our Berkshire centre and make a difference.

About the role:

You’ll play a vital role at NAWT’s Berkshire Centre and will be responsible for providing the general care and welfare of our animals during their stay with the Centre.

You will be part of a small friendly team who are all committed to improving the lives of pets in the area. Reporting to the Supervisor, your main responsibilities will involve:

• Feeding, grooming and exercising the animals.
• Cleaning the kennels, exercise areas and other animal housing to a high standard.
• Providing information to members of the public and assisting with meetings as part of the adoption and rehoming process.
• Positively promote all homing services, including home direct and short-term fostering opportunities.
• Assisting in the implementation of training and health care plans.
• Assisting with veterinary appointments and visits.
• Welcoming visitors to the Centre, providing that all important first impression to build positive relationships.
• Assisting with fundraising and events activities as and when required.

About you:

You will have a flexible approach, being able to work on your own initiative as well as being able to work cooperatively with a range of colleagues. Experience with working with animals or a relevant qualification is preferable, but full training and support will be given.

This is a rewarding position, and the successful candidate will have a positive and proactive approach to work, with the empathy and resilience to deal with sometimes challenging situations, having the animals, our visitors and the charity at the heart of everything you do.

So, if you are the kind of person who enjoys a busy and varied role, working outside in all weathers, with an empathy for the aims of NAWT, and would relish the opportunity to gain lots of experience in different areas of animal welfare – this may be the job for you!

As part of our commitment to making NAWT a great place to work, we offer access to the following employee benefits:

• 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays.
• Access to a free 24/7 support service providing support including legal, financial, emotional and medical advice.
• Contributory Pension Scheme

Please note due to our location it is preferable to be able to drive, or have your own mode of transport, as there is no public transport available to the centre.

The full Job Description can be downloaded below.

If you feel you have the right skills to be a successful Animal Care Assistant at our Berkshire centre, please send your CV with your cover letter to t.waldron@nawt.org.uk at NAWT Berkshire.

Please note we are accepting applications on a rolling basis and may close the recruitment process for this role prior to the deadline, so early applications are encouraged. Unfortunately, we are only able to make contact with those applicants who will be invited to interview.

Location: NAWT Berkshire Centre, Trindledown Farm, Wantage Road, Great Shefford, Berkshire, RG17 7DQ

Hours: 40 hours per week, including weekend working on a rota basis.

Salary: £10.42 per hour

Closing Date 16/3/2024