At a Glance
- Tasks: Support animal welfare by managing pet cases and ensuring their care and rehabilitation.
- Company: Join the compassionate team at Blue Cross, dedicated to helping pets in need.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible part-time hours with a supportive and friendly work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 12488 - 12488 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 16 June 2026
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Employment Type: Permanent - Part Time
Location: Burford
Reporting To: Assistant Manager - Off-site Services
Compensation: £12,488 / year
Description
Contract: Permanent, 18.75 hours per week
Salary: £12,488 (£24,976 FTE)
Location: Burford, OX18 4PF
Closing date: Tuesday 16th June 2026
Interview date: Tuesday 23rd 2026
We’re recruiting a Pet Welfare Assistant for off-site animal care, for our Rehoming & Fostering team in Burford. As a Pet Welfare Assistant, you will play an important role in ensuring that every pet receives the love, attention, and support they deserve whilst in our offsite care.
More about the role
Our Burford centre has a dedicated team with varying skills. The team demonstrates a mission to help as many pets as possible. With great facilities, including a woodland, the team can accomplish daily successes together. As a Pet Welfare Assistant – Off-site Services, you will be responsible for expertly managing a specific number of pet cases within the offsite pet care service. This includes rehoming pets in foster or Home Direct service and pets in temporary crisis care. You will ensure welfare standards are met and that rehabilitation plans are followed and supported for pets in foster homes. You will also ensure the assessment of pets preparing for a new home is completed quickly. The centre is the public face of Blue Cross; you must provide good customer service in every interaction. You will provide overnight checks or stay in on‑site accommodation overnight when the resident team members are not working. These duties are organised on a local rota and shared between all members of the team. This role works 2.5 days a week across a 4-week rota: Week 1 – Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. Week 2 – Tuesday and Wednesday. Week 3 – Monday, Tuesday. Week 4 – Tuesday and Wednesday.
About you
You are empathetic, intuitive, and focused on animal welfare, with experience in a similar environment. You can assess pet needs, recognise behavioural signs, and have a basic understanding of medications such as flea treatments and diabetes management. You are self‑motivated, collaborative and bring practical, creative solutions for the best care outcomes. Your communication skills are first‑class, making you approachable and effective when sharing critical information with fosterers, clients, and stakeholders. You are resilient, emotionally intelligent and able to thrive in emotionally charged situations while supporting both clients and colleagues with empathy.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Experience of having previously worked or volunteered with domestic animals or in an animal welfare environment.
- Good experience of recording information and being able to accurately convey this when communicating with others.
- Previous customer‑focused experience and a record of high customer satisfaction.
- Good organisational and administration skills, including proficiency with computerised systems.
- A full driving licence.
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply Blue Cross values.
It would be great if you also had:
- Qualification or similar experience in animal behaviour or training.
- Experience of cash handling.
- Experience of working to strict health and safety procedures.
- Understanding of safeguarding issues.
Blue Cross benefits
- 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.
- 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.
Pet Welfare Assistant - Off-site Services in Burford employer: Blue Cross For Pets
At Blue Cross, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises animal welfare and employee wellbeing. Located in the picturesque Burford, our team enjoys access to great facilities and opportunities for professional development, including comprehensive training and support for personal growth. With generous benefits such as enhanced holiday entitlement, health and wellbeing programmes, and a commitment to recognising and rewarding our staff, we ensure that every Pet Welfare Assistant can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of pets in need.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pet Welfare Assistant - Off-site Services in Burford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Blue Cross and its values. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you align with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Before your interview, run through common questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience with animal welfare.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share personal stories about your experiences with pets or volunteering. This will demonstrate your genuine love for animal welfare and make you memorable to the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows you’re keen and professional, and it keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant - Off-site Services in Burford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with animal welfare. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Pet Welfare Assistant, so don’t hold back on sharing relevant stories!
Show Your Passion:Let your love for animals shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who’s empathetic and intuitive, so share why animal welfare matters to you and how you’ve demonstrated this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your experiences and qualifications are easy to read and understand. Bullet points can help highlight key information!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets
✨Know Your Stuff About Animal Welfare
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of animal welfare and the specific needs of pets. Familiarise yourself with common behavioural signs and basic medication management, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Show Off Your Empathy Skills
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated empathy in previous roles. Whether it's handling a distressed pet or communicating with a concerned client, showcasing your emotional intelligence will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Customer Service Scenarios
Since this role involves interacting with clients and fosterers, think about past experiences where you provided excellent customer service. Be prepared to discuss how you handled difficult situations and ensured high satisfaction levels.
✨Get Organised and Be Ready to Share
Bring along any relevant documentation that showcases your organisational skills, like records from previous roles or volunteer work. Being able to demonstrate your ability to keep accurate records and communicate effectively will set you apart from other candidates.
