Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for pets, conduct assessments, and prepare them for adoption.
- Company: Join Blue Cross UK, a leading charity dedicated to animal welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holiday, wellbeing support, and discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in pets' lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Part-time role with potential overnight shifts; apply by 27 July 2025.
The predicted salary is between 19993 - 23993 £ per year.
Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton
Join to apply for the Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton role at Blue Cross UK
Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton role at Blue Cross UK
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Location: Southampton
Compensation: £23,993 / year
Application Deadline: 27 July 2025
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Location: Southampton
Compensation: £23,993 / year
Description
Contract: Permanent, part-time (3 days a week)
Salary: £23,993 per annum FTE
Location: Southampton, SO30 2HL
Closing date: Sunday 27 July 2025
Interview date: 4 & 5 August 2025
We’re recruiting Pet Welfare Assistants for onsite animal care on a permanent, part-time basis, for our Rehoming & Fostering team in Southampton!
At Blue Cross, we\’re dedicated to providing the best care possible to pets in need. As a Pet Welfare Assistant for our onsite services, you\’ll play an important role in our mission, ensuring that every pet receives the love, attention, and support they deserve during their stay at our Southampton rehoming centre.
More about the role
Our beautiful centre opened in 1988 and occupies approximately three acres of land in a discrete location surrounded by fields where we can walk our dogs, providing some wonderful enrichment in a quiet environment. The centre has facilities to care for dogs and cats, as well as a specialised area for puppies and kittens. We also operate a pet food bank for those that might need our support within the local area.
As a skilled animal handler and assessor, you will be responsible for the ‘preparation stage’ with the pets in our care which involves caring, carrying out assessments and rehabilitation plans, preparing them for the ‘adoption stage’ or the best possible outcome for their circumstances with minimal delay.
As a Pet Welfare Assistant, you will ensure that the welfare standards are met and that rehabilitation plans are followed and supported for pets in our care. Working independently and with the team you will carry out meetings with owners giving up their pet, ensuring all information is recorded, paperwork completed and that the pet is immediately assessed for behavioural or veterinary problems. Working closely with the Adoptions Coordinator you will provide additional in person or virtual advice and practical demonstrations to ensure adoptees are fully aware of the work that has been done with the pet and how to continue with any other additional behaviour training or medical provision.
At our Southampton rehoming centre, we provide onsite accommodation for pets in our care 24/7. Overnight shifts are usually undertaken by team members who live on site. Occasionally, you will be expected to carry out night checks or stay in onsite accommodation overnight when the resident team members are either not working or away for a period of time.
The roles are available on a permanent, part-time basis working 22.5 hours over 3 days a week. The rota’s available for the roles are:
Vacancy 1:
Week 1 – Monday, Wednesday
Week 2 – Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
Vacancy 2:
Week 1 – Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Week 2 – Wednesday, Friday
If you excel in an environment where you can see the difference you make every day, then this is the role for you. Interested? Then apply and let’s work together to see if this is the role for you.
About you
As a skilled animal handler and assessor, you will be intuitive with pets, empathetic and welfare focused having worked in a similar animal related environment. You will also be used to assessing the needs of a pet, alert to the behavioural signs and have a basic knowledge of the use of medication e.g., hibiscrub, flea and tick treatments, diabetes management. In addition, you will have a fundamental understanding that the best welfare intervention for a pet is to find a new home and leave on site pet accommodation as quickly as possible.
You will be self-motivated, forward thinking with a collaborative and creative approach to your work, which will ensure to bring your best pragmatic ideas for the care of the pets to ensure the best outcome is achieved. In addition, you will be able to quickly assimilate information, be competent at accurately recording information while also conducting conversations with clients and stakeholders. You will be an excellent communicator, approachable with strong interpersonal skills.
You will know what it is like to work in an emotionally charged environment and have excellent ‘bounce back ability’ and resilience. In addition, you will be emotionally intelligent, showing empathy and knowing how to support clients and colleagues.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Experience of having previously worked or volunteered with domestic animals or in an animal welfare environment.
- Previous experience in working in a customer focused environment and used to achieving a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Good organisational and administration skills to include computerised systems.
- Current full driving licence.
It would be great (but not essential) if you also had:
- Qualification or similar experience in animal behaviour or animal training.
- Experience of cash handling.
- Experience of working to strict health and safety procedures.
- Understanding of safeguarding issues.
Want to know more detail? Great! We have attached the job description which hopefully gives you everything you need.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 27 July 2025.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.
In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Our generous benefits package includes:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the \’why work for us\’ page on our website.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Part-time
Job function
-
Job function
Administrative
-
Industries
Non-profit Organizations
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Blue Cross UK by 2x
Get notified about new Assistant jobs in Southampton, England, United Kingdom.
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton employer: Blue Cross UK
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Blue Cross and their mission. Understanding their values and the specific needs of the pets they care for will help you demonstrate your alignment with their goals during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain hands-on experience with animals, whether through volunteering or previous jobs. Being able to share specific examples of your interactions with pets and how you've handled various situations will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your customer service skills. Since you'll be interacting with pet owners, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively and empathetically will be crucial in the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to talk about your resilience and emotional intelligence. Working in animal welfare can be challenging, so sharing how you've coped with difficult situations in the past will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in animal care or welfare. Include any specific skills related to animal handling, assessment, and rehabilitation that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for animal welfare. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your empathy and ability to work in emotionally charged environments, as well as your communication skills.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any previous work or volunteer experience with domestic animals or in animal welfare settings. This will show that you have the necessary background for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
✨Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine love for animals during the interview. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to animal welfare, as this role is all about ensuring the best care for pets in need.
✨Demonstrate Your Skills and Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience with animals, whether through work or volunteering. Highlight specific skills such as animal handling, behaviour assessment, and any relevant training you've received that aligns with the job requirements.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle various situations involving pets and their owners. Think of examples where you've successfully managed challenging scenarios, showcasing your problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the organisation's approach to animal welfare. This shows your interest in the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.
