About the organisation 

Our vision is for the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home to be an exemplar animal welfare centre. Our ambition is that no abused, neglected or vulnerable animal in our community is without a safe space. We want the centre to engage with its local community and earn its continued support for our work. 

We are committed to building a team of enthusiastic, dedicated, caring and aspirational people who are passionate about animal welfare, the environment in which care is provided and the collective work required to deliver it. 

Role purpose 

The Animal Care Assistant is responsible for the day-to-day care and welfare of animals at CDCH. As a hands-on member of the Operations Team, the post-holder will deliver high standards of physical and emotional care throughout each animal’s journey from admission and assessment to rehoming.

The role also provides a welcoming and professional service to adopters, visitors and colleagues. This is a zero-hours position requiring a flexible approach to working hours, including the ability to provide cover for staff sickness and annual leave, sometimes at short notice. 

Key duties and responsibilities

Animal care and welfare

• Provide optimum physical and emotional care for all animals at the centre.
• Complete timely cleaning, feeding, watering, exercise, enrichment and positive interaction with animals.
• Support the daily operation of the kennels and cattery sections, maintaining exemplary welfare standards.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and cleaning throughout the animal accommodation and contribute to the general upkeep of the centre environment.
• Handle and transport animals safely and in a way that protects their welfare.
• Contribute to team discussions about each animal’s health, welfare, emotional and physical wellbeing and readiness for rehoming.
• Support Duty Managers and veterinary professionals with health checks and the administration of medication in accordance with instructions and centre procedures.
• Ensure animals are prepared for adoption in accordance with centre procedures, including health checks, vaccination, neutering, microchipping and any other required treatment.
• Deliver and continuously develop enrichment programmes with the wider team.
• Identify and promptly report concerns relating to an animal’s health, behaviour or welfare.

Records and compliance

• Maintain accurate and detailed records for every animal, including health checks, feeding, temperature, medication, handling, admission and adoption information.
• Follow CDCH policies, procedures and operational processes and ensure compliance with licensing conditions, legal requirements and health and safety regulations.
• Use centre systems accurately and maintain confidentiality in accordance with data protection requirements.

Rehoming and customer service

• Provide an outstanding service to animals, adopters, visitors and other centre users.
• Maximise rehoming by positively promoting CDCH animals and helping customers identify animals suited to their circumstances through accurate, relevant information and advice.
• Develop positive customer relationships and represent CDCH professionally at all times.

Teamwork and centre support

• Work collaboratively as part of the frontline animal care team and contribute to a positive, supportive and solution-focused culture.
• Attend regular team meetings to maintain effective communication and awareness of progress and developments across the centre.
• Work constructively with colleagues across teams and support volunteers in their operational duties.
• Provide meal break, holiday and sickness cover for colleagues as required.
• Undertake other reasonable tasks as directed by the line manager.

Person specification
We are seeking highly motivated Animal Care Assistants who can deliver operational excellence and demonstrate genuine dedication to animal welfare. The successful candidate will be energetic, reliable and committed to providing exceptional care while contributing positively to the wider team.

Essential criteria

• Experience of working within animal welfare, rescue or rehoming.
• Experience of delivering high standards of animal care.
• A self-motivated approach with energy, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm.
• Experience of contributing effectively as a member of a high-performing team.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that support collaboration and the efficient delivery of services.
• Proven ability to work constructively with colleagues across different teams.
• A flexible approach to managing and prioritising a varied workload and multiple tasks.
• Ability and motivation to deliver high-quality work with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and experience of dealing with customers and members of the public.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays as required.
• A full UK driving licence.

Desirable criteria

• A qualification related to animal care or behaviour.
• Experience of animal husbandry and care, including the practical application of welfare principles and related operational disciplines
• Experience of delivering animal care or enrichment programmes.

Physical requirements

This role includes physically active duties. Employees must maintain a suitable level of fitness to carry out the role safely and effectively. Reasonable adjustments will be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Working at CDCH

• The centre requires an on-site presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This role may involve work outside normal office hours, including evenings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays, and attendance at occasional evening meetings.
• All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
• All new employees are subject to a six-month probationary period.
• Employees are unable to bring their own dogs to work.
• This role profile is not exhaustive and may be amended to meet the operational needs of the charity.

Equality, health and safety and data protection

CDCH is an equal opportunities employer. All employees are encouraged to contribute actively to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion and must act in accordance with their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The post-holder will obtain, process and use personal and organisational information as part of their duties.
Information must only be used for the purpose for which it was recorded and disclosed only to authorised people or organisations, in accordance with CDCH policies and applicable data protection law.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter to Ebony Poole via the link below.

Please mention Jobs With Animals when applying for this role.

Apply for this Role