At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for pets, assess their needs, and prepare them for adoption.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a leading animal welfare charity dedicated to helping pets in need.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible part-time hours with opportunities for growth in a rewarding environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals, strong communication skills, and a passion for pet welfare.
The predicted salary is between 16795 - 23993 £ per year.
Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Suffolk
Reporting To: Assistant Manager - Onsite Services
Compensation: £16,795 / year
Description
Contract: Part time, 26.25 hours per week
Salary: £16,795.10 (£23,993 per annum FTE)
Location: Ipswich IP2 8NQ
Closing date: Sunday 12 October 2025
Interview date: 21 and 22 October 2025
We’re recruiting a Pet Welfare Assistant for onsite animal care, for our Rehoming & Fostering team in Suffolk!
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 Suffolk rehoming centre.
More about the role
Our Suffolk Centre has a wonderful group of dedicated people with varying skills that meld into one team with one mission: to help as many pets as possible. With great facilities, including a woodland, the team are proud of what they can accomplish on a daily basis together.
The working hours are based on a two week rota. You will work Monday, Thursday and Friday during the first week, and Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the second week.
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 Suffolk 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
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. Some of this experience must have been with dogs.
- 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 12th October 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
- 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 read the description on the website under the reasons to work for us.
Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite in Ipswich employer: Blue Cross For Pets
At Blue Cross, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the welfare of pets and the professional growth of our team. Located in the heart of Suffolk, our rehoming centre offers a supportive work culture with generous benefits, including extensive holiday entitlement, wellbeing programmes, and opportunities for personal development. Join us as a Pet Welfare Assistant and make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in animal care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Blue Cross and their mission. When you show up for your interview, drop in some knowledge about their values and how you align with them. It’ll show you’re genuinely interested and not just another applicant.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Before your interview, run through common questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. Think about how your experience with animals can shine through your answers. We want to see that passion for pet welfare!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! While we love a casual vibe, showing up looking smart and professional can make a great first impression. It shows you respect the opportunity and are ready to take on the role of Pet Welfare Assistant.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s a nice touch that many candidates forget!
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pets:When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your dedication to pet welfare. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the role of a Pet Welfare Assistant. This shows us that you've done your homework and are serious about joining our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so make sure your passion comes across without any fluff!
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 – just click that apply button and follow the prompts!
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 treatments, as this will show your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Show Your Empathy and Communication Skills
During the interview, be ready to demonstrate your empathy and strong communication skills. Share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully interacted with both animals and their owners, highlighting how you handled emotionally charged situations.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to face practical scenarios or questions about how you'd handle specific situations with pets. Think through your approach to assessing a pet's needs or dealing with a distressed owner, as this will showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics or the specific challenges faced at the Suffolk Centre. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
