At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for donkeys, including feeding, grooming, and rehabilitation.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a global leader in animal welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, competitive pension, and wellness perks like yoga classes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of donkeys while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with donkeys or in animal care is essential; self-motivation is key.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; part-time options considered.
The predicted salary is between 19200 - 25920 £ per year.
Rehoming Centre Groom (1998)
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- Salary:
£23,264 per annum
- Poscity
Ivybridge
- Poscountry
United Kingdom
- Area:
Equine Operations
- Vacancy Type:
Fixed Term Contract
- Full or Part Time?:
Full Time
The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.
Due to operational demand, we have an exciting opportunity to repurpose our Ivybridge site to become a short-term Rehoming Centre which will provide care and rehabilitation donkeys who will be suitable for the rehoming scheme. We anticipate the Ivybridge centre will be used until the end of August 2026. By moving donkeys internally within the organisation who have the potential to be trained for the rehoming scheme we are enabling individual donkeys the prospect of moving into a loving Guardian home where they can benefit from one-to-one care and attention.
To successfully operate the Centre we are looking to recruit 3 Rehoming Centre Grooms.
About You
- Experience of working with donkeys or within the animal care industry.
- Self-motivated – able to work well within a team and use own initiative.
- Experience of using farm machinery would be beneficial.
About The Role
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –
- Providing daily care to our resident donkeys, including checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing and worming.
- Working alongside internal & external equine professionals such as Vets, Dentists and Farriers, as required.
- Helping to rehabilitate and train donkeys through the guidance of the supervisor and behaviour team by providing a regular training plan to suit the individual needs of donkeys for rehoming.
- Supporting with welfare support when required, collaborating with the wider Equine Operations department.
- Assisting with all aspects of offsite visits, including the loading, unloading and supervision of the donkeys during transport.
- Providing additional donkey care by operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, paddock maintenance, feeding and bedding up of barns and distributing straw and haylage.
What We Offer In Return
Based at The Donkey Sanctuary Rehoming Centre, Ivybridge, Devon – these are full-time, fixed term contracts starting as soon as possible until 29 August 2026, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7. The working pattern will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder, but flexibility will be required for weekend working as part of the team rota and for extra hours as required when donkeys are poorly.
Please note: We will be happy to consider applications from those wishing to apply on a part-time basis (minimum 22.5 hours per week).
Benefits
Competitive pension.
Life assurance.
31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.
Wellbeing team.
Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
Long service awards.
Healthshield plan –
- Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
- Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
- Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
Free parking.
Subsidised restaurant and shop at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth.
Closing date for completed applications: Friday 25 July 2025.
Interviews will be held at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth on Friday 1 August 2025.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.
The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.
NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.
Documents
- JD_EQU_EQU EXP_REHOMING CENTRES_Centre Groom Ivybridge_2025.pdf (167.64 KB)
Additional Information
- Note to Applicants Under 18 Years of Age(pdf)
- Apply NowCreate Alert Subscription
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Location
Ivybridge Rehoming Centre
Filham Park, Godwell Lane, Ivybridge, Devon, United Kingdom, PL21 0LE
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Rehoming Centre Groom employer: The Donkey Sanctuary
Contact Detail:
The Donkey Sanctuary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rehoming Centre Groom
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with The Donkey Sanctuary's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to animal welfare will help you align your passion for donkeys with their goals during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain hands-on experience with donkeys or similar animals if you haven't already. Volunteering at local animal shelters or farms can provide you with valuable skills and demonstrate your dedication to animal care.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the equine industry. Attend workshops, seminars, or local events where you can meet vets, trainers, and other animal care experts who might provide insights or even referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with farm machinery, as it's beneficial for this role. If you have any relevant certifications or training, be ready to highlight them during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Rehoming Centre Groom
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in animal care, particularly with donkeys. Include any specific skills related to grooming, feeding, and medicating animals, as well as your ability to work with farm machinery.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that reflects your passion for animal welfare and your motivation to work at The Donkey Sanctuary. Mention how your values align with their mission of improving the lives of donkeys.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your application, provide examples of your previous work with animals, especially donkeys. Highlight any training or rehabilitation experience you have, as well as your ability to collaborate with veterinary professionals.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and concise, reflecting your attention to detail, which is crucial in animal care roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine love for donkeys and animal care during the interview. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to animal welfare, as this aligns with the mission of The Donkey Sanctuary.
✨Demonstrate Relevant Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience working with donkeys or in the animal care industry. Highlight specific tasks you've performed, such as grooming, feeding, or administering medication, to showcase your hands-on skills.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Initiative
The role requires both teamwork and the ability to work independently. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in a team setting, as well as instances where you've taken the initiative to solve problems or improve processes.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewers about the role, the team, or the organisation's future plans. This shows your interest in the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.