Dog Walker and Pet Sitter at Adored Animals Pet Services in Wellingborough

This full-time on-site position offers opportunities for career growth. Location: Irthlingborough and surrounding areas. Starting rate: £12.71 per hour, moving to £16 per hour as competencies increase. Guaranteed work: minimum payment equivalent to 30 hours per week. Vehicle: company van provided to take home, with all work-related fuel paid. Schedule: primarily Monday to Friday, with varied working times based on client bookings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct private dog walks for individual households
• Progress to structured group dog walks once fully trained and assessed
• Safely handle strong, excitable, nervous, fearful or reactive dogs
• Transport dogs safely in a company vehicle
• Visit clients’ homes to care for a wide variety of species
• Follow feeding, medication, habitat and care instructions
• Monitor animals for changes in health, behaviour and welfare
• Identify information that is missing, contradictory or potentially unsafe
• Make appropriate decisions when unexpected situations arise
• Provide clients with professional written updates, photographs and videos
• Maintain the security and cleanliness of clients’ homes
• Support evening daycare duties where required
• Provide overnight pet and house sitting where agreed
• Assist with occasional weekend bookings
• Support animal behaviour and training work where appropriate
• Complete ongoing practical and online learning

The person we are looking for

• This role suits someone who wants responsibility and a genuine career in professional animal care
• Remain calm and focused under time pressure
• Think critically and solve practical problems safely
• Notice small details before they become larger problems
• Recognise when information is missing, unclear or potentially unsafe
• Make responsible decisions without constant supervision
• Know when to act independently and when to seek support
• Adapt calmly when schedules, routes or circumstances change
• Manage several appointments while remaining punctual and thorough
• Follow detailed procedures accurately
• Communicate promptly and professionally
• Report mistakes, incidents and welfare concerns immediately
• Take responsibility for the quality of your work
• Accept feedback and apply it constructively
• Work independently without requiring constant reassurance
• Remain committed to learning and professional improvement
• Honesty is essential

Essential requirements

• Live within approximately 10 miles of Irthlingborough
• Be aged 23 or over due to company vehicle insurance requirements
• Hold a full UK manual driving licence
• Have professional or substantial practical animal-care experience
• Be available at varied times from Monday to Friday
• Be able to provide the agreed availability for 30 hours of work each week
• Be confident working alone for most of the day
• Be comfortable working outdoors throughout the year
• Be able to manage physically active work
• Be comfortable using a mobile phone and digital systems throughout the day
• Be willing to care for and learn about a wide range of species
• Participate fully in the company’s training and competency programme
• Complete assigned learning and assessments within required timeframes
• Applicants who can also offer occasional evening, weekend and overnight availability will be strongly preferred

Training and professional development

This is a training-led role with significant opportunities to develop professional animal-care knowledge. Successful candidates must enrol in the Paragon Pet Care learning system and participate in our structured training and competency programme.

Company vehicle, equipment and workwear

A company van will be provided to take home. The van is not for general personal use. Paragon Pet Care will pay for all authorised work-related fuel and provide equipment and materials needed for assignments.

Additional benefits

• Guaranteed minimum weekly pay equivalent to 30 hours
• Structured increases up to £16 per hour
• Potential monthly performance rewards of up to £150
• Eligibility for an annual bonus after 12 months
• Opportunities for additional paid assignments
• A company van to take home
• All authorised work-related fuel paid
• Professional animal-care equipment and materials
• Branded contractor workwear
• Veterinarian-led first-aid training
• Access to our online learning platform
• Practical handling and behaviour training
• Multi-species professional development
• Ongoing coaching and competency development
• Potential progression into behaviour, training or care-leadership work
• Potential future opportunity to move into an employed position
• Up to £400 towards a new mobile phone after two years of qualifying service

The realities of the role

Animal care is rewarding, but not always easy or predictable. You will work outdoors in various conditions. You may encounter dogs that pull, jump, mouth, or bark, or animals that are fearful or reactive. Most days involve working independently and you will spend significant time driving and managing appointments. Schedules can change and information from clients may be incomplete. You must adjust your approach while protecting the animal, yourself, the public and the client’s property. Your mobile phone will be an essential work tool for schedules, updates and reporting.

Contract and future opportunities

The position is initially offered on a self-employed contractor basis. An employed position may become available to the right candidate. Full details will be provided before the contractor agreement is entered into.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and complete the application form on the Careers page of the Paragon Pet Care website. Eurostaffs applicants must also apply through our website. Applications that do not complete this step may not be considered.

Pay and location

Pay: Up to £16.00 per hour. Benefits: Free parking, On-site parking. Work Location: On the road.