At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide top-notch care for pets and support their owners in a busy animal hospital.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a vital part of the Victoria community since 1999.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible part-time roles available with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in veterinary support or similar roles is preferred but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 26872 - 30826 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 30 November 2025
Department: Veterinary Services
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Victoria animal hospital
Reporting To: Deputy Nurse Manager
Compensation: £26,872 / year
Description: Contract: Permanent, part time (3 roles available)
Salary: £26,872 plus £3,954 London Weighting Allowance per annum
Location: Victoria animal hospital, London SW1V 1QQ
Closing date: Sunday 30 November 2025
Interview date: Interviews will be arranged throughout the advertising period.
Since June 1999, we have been a cornerstone of the Victoria community, delivering veterinary services to over 10,000 unique pets every year. From routine procedures like neutering to intricate surgeries and advanced diagnostics, our hospital offers a comprehensive range of treatments. Join us as an animal care assistant to make a difference to our community every day!
More about the role: Blue Cross animal hospitals and pet care clinics play a vital role in providing veterinary treatment to sick and injured pets, particularly when their owners are unable to afford private veterinary fees. Our veterinary care services are accessible to pets whose owners receive certain means‑tested benefits and reside within the catchment area of one of our animal hospitals or pet care clinics.
Our Animal Care Assistants have a key role in our fast‑paced hospitals, providing a high standard of care to the pets in our hospitals and providing support to their owners. They do this by providing the highest level of animal care and customer service with empathy and a non‑judgmental mindset in all situations. Each day will see you providing care to the pets in our hospitals which includes cleaning, feeding, exercising, grooming, laundry and administering treatment, dealing with clients on our busy reception, dispensing medication and taking payments. You will be monitoring our patients' health, wellbeing and behaviour as well as those recovering from anaesthetic. Working closely with our Vets and Nurses, you will be assisting them with the preparation of patients and operating theatre for surgery.
We have three part‑time positions working either 34 or 25.5 hours per week with a one hour paid lunch break on a rota to include weekends and public holidays. Due to the nature of the work of Blue Cross, and this post, it may be necessary to exceed these hours when the workload demands.
About you: The ideal candidate for this role is someone who has previous experience in a veterinary support role which may have been in a vet practice, or kennel setting. As well as the practical animal handling skills, we would ideally like someone who has experience working in a busy reception alongside their animal care role who feels confident in both animal facing and customer facing environments, however this is not essential. With great communication skills they will be able to speak to a wide variety of people. Working in an animal hospital can involve supporting clients that are distressed, therefore, you will be able to work in an emotionally charged environment and have excellent ‘bounce back ability’ and resilience, with ability to keep calm under pressure and re‑prioritise tasks where needed. This person will be emotionally intelligent, showing empathy and knowing how to support clients and colleagues. You will have a genuine desire to improve the lives of pets and their clients and be proactive in the promotion and delivery of Blue Cross aims.
Knowledge, skills, and experience:
- Experience working or volunteering in a veterinary practice or within a similar role
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- IT literate with MS Office and web‑based databases and platforms
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values
Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:
- Experience within a reception or client care role
- Qualification in Animal Care or similar
- The ability to observe changes in animals' health and wellbeing
- The ability to interact face to face with clients and visitors and communicate effectively with a range of people
How to apply: Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date. 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
- 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.
Animal Care Assistant - Victoria in City of London employer: Blue Cross For Pets
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross For Pets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant - Victoria in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Blue Cross values inside out! When you’re chatting with us during interviews, sprinkle in how your own values align with ours. It shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you genuinely want to be part of our mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Before your interview, run through common questions and think about how your past experiences relate to the role. We love hearing real-life examples, so don’t hold back on sharing your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your passion for animal care! Whether it’s through volunteering or personal experiences, let that enthusiasm shine through. We want to see that you’re not just skilled, but also truly care about making a difference in pets' lives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask us questions! This isn’t just about us interviewing you; it’s a two-way street. Ask about team dynamics, training opportunities, or what a typical day looks like. It shows you’re engaged and really thinking about how you fit into our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant - Victoria in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animal Care: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any relevant experiences you have, whether it's volunteering at a shelter or working in a veterinary practice. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the role of Animal Care Assistant. Highlight your skills in animal handling, customer service, and communication. We’re looking for someone who can juggle both animal care and client interactions, so show us how you can do just that!
Keep It Professional Yet Friendly: While we love a casual tone, remember to keep it professional. Use clear language and check for typos or errors. A well-written application reflects your attention to detail, which is super important in our fast-paced environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the position and our amazing benefits there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge about animal care and the specific services offered at the Victoria animal hospital. Familiarise yourself with common procedures, treatments, and the types of pets you might encounter. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Your Empathy
As an Animal Care Assistant, you'll be dealing with both pets and their owners, often in stressful situations. Prepare examples of how you've shown empathy and support in previous roles. This could be from a veterinary setting or any customer service experience where you had to handle emotional situations.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Think about how you can convey complex information simply and clearly. You might want to practice explaining a procedure or treatment to a friend or family member, ensuring you can adapt your language for different audiences.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations, such as a distressed pet owner or a busy reception area. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios and your responses. Highlight your ability to stay calm under pressure and prioritise tasks effectively.