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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 and a supportive team environment await you.
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. 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.
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
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, and 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.
- 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) 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)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Blue Cross and their mission. Understanding their values will help you connect during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your animal handling skills! If you can, volunteer at local shelters or with pet care services. This hands-on experience will not only boost your confidence but also give you real-life examples to share during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for behavioural questions! Think about past experiences where you demonstrated empathy, resilience, and teamwork. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Blue Cross family. Let’s get you started on this journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite Services (fixed term)
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 showcasing your passion for pets!
Show Your Empathy: In your written application, let us know about your ability to connect with animals and their owners. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your empathy and understanding in emotionally charged situations.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and free from jargon. Highlight your key skills and experiences without fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do—just click that apply button!
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 treatments. This will show that you're not just passionate about animals, but also knowledgeable about their care.
✨Show Your Empathy and Communication Skills
As a Pet Welfare Assistant, you'll need to communicate effectively with both pets and their owners. Prepare examples of how you've handled emotionally charged situations in the past. Highlight your ability to empathise with clients and provide support, as this is crucial in this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
This role involves working closely with a team, so be ready to discuss your collaborative experiences. Think of times when you’ve worked well with others to achieve a common goal, especially in an animal care setting. This will show that you can contribute positively to the team dynamic.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to face practical questions or scenarios during the interview. Think about how you would assess a pet's needs or handle a difficult situation with a client. Practising these scenarios can help you feel more confident and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
