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- Tasks: Care for pets, assess their needs, and prepare them for adoption.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a leading animal welfare charity dedicated to pet care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets and their future families.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 19194 - 19194 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 17 February 2026
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Employment Type: Contract / Temp
Location: Hertfordshire
Compensation: £19,194 / year
Description: Contract: 12 months fixed term, 30 hours per week
Salary: £19,194 per annum (£23,993 FTE)
Location: Hitchin SG4 8EU
Closing date: 17 February 2026
Interview date: 26th & 27th February 2026
We’re recruiting a Pet Welfare Assistant for onsite animal care, for our Rehoming & Fostering team in Hertfordshire! At Blue Cross, we are dedicated to providing the best care possible to pets in need. As a Pet Welfare Assistant for our onsite services, you will play an important role in our mission, ensuring that every pet receives the love, attention, and support they deserve during their stay at our Hertfordshire rehoming centre. This is a 12 month fixed term contract.
More about the role:
- 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.
- 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.
This is a part-time role working 30 hours a week on the following fixed working pattern:
- Week 1 – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
- Week 2 – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
At our Hertfordshire 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.
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:
- 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, and diabetes management.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How to apply:
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Tuesday 17th February 2026. 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.
Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite Services (fixed term) in Kimpton employer: Blue Cross For Pets
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross For Pets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite Services (fixed term) in Kimpton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Blue Cross and their mission. When you understand their values, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to animal welfare and your experience. Role-play with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share personal stories about your experiences with animals. This will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to pet welfare.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite Services (fixed term) in Kimpton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any relevant experiences you've had with pets or in animal welfare. We want to see that you genuinely care about the well-being of our furry friends.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Pet Welfare Assistant. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the position. Remember, we’re looking for strong communication skills!
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 standards and rehabilitation plans. Familiarise yourself with common behavioural signs in pets and any relevant medication. This will show that you're not just passionate about animals, but also knowledgeable about their care.
✨Show Your Empathy and Communication Skills
During the interview, be ready to demonstrate your empathy and interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've supported clients or colleagues in emotionally charged situations. This role requires a lot of communication, so showing that you can connect with people is key!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios involving pet assessments or client interactions. Think through how you would handle these situations and be prepared to discuss your thought process. This will highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of pets you'll be working with, or the specific challenges they face. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.
