Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026
Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026

Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026

Southampton Part-Time 19993 - 23993 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assist in caring for pets, conducting assessments, and preparing them for adoption.
  • Company: Join Blue Cross, a leading charity dedicated to animal welfare since 1897.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holiday, wellbeing support, and discounts on pet insurance.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in pets' lives while working in a supportive, passionate environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience with animals and strong communication skills are essential; empathy is key!
  • Other info: Part-time role with a fixed term until June 2026, based in beautiful Southampton.

The predicted salary is between 19993 - 23993 £ per year.

Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026

Application Deadline: 5 August 2025

Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term – Part Time

Location: Southampton

Reporting To: Centre Manager

Compensation: £23,993 / year

Description

Contract: Fixed term contract til June 2026, part-time (26.25 hours a week)
Salary: £23,993 per annum FTE
Location: Southampton, SO30 2HL
Closing date: Tuesday 5 August 2025
Interview date: 18 & 19 August 2025
We’re recruiting for a Pet Welfare Assistant for onsite animal care to join us on a part-time basis until June 2026, for our Rehoming & Fostering team in Southampton!
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 Southampton rehoming centre.

More about the role

Our beautiful centre opened in 1988 and occupies approximately three acres of land in a discrete location surrounded by fields where we can walk our dogs, providing some wonderful enrichment in a quiet environment. The centre has facilities to care for dogs and cats, as well as a specialised area for puppies and kittens. We also operate a pet food bank for those that might need our support within the local area.
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 Southampton 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.
This role is available on a fixed term contract until June 2026, part-time basis working 26.25 hours over 3 days a week. The rota is as follows:
Week 1 – Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Week 2 – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
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.
  • 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 Tuesday 5 August 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
  • Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
  • 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.

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Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026 employer: Blue Cross For Pets

At Blue Cross, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and fulfilling work environment for our Pet Welfare Assistants in Southampton. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our generous benefits package, which includes extensive holiday entitlement, professional development opportunities, and access to health and wellness programmes. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their owners while enjoying a collaborative and compassionate workplace culture.
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Contact Detail:

Blue Cross For Pets Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of pets in a rehoming environment. Understanding animal behaviour and welfare standards will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your empathy and communication skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully interacted with both animals and their owners in previous roles or volunteer experiences.

✨Tip Number 3

Research Blue Cross and their mission to provide the best care for pets. Being able to articulate why you want to work specifically for them will set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 4

Be ready to discuss your resilience and ability to handle emotionally charged situations. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your 'bounce back ability' in challenging circumstances.

We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026

Animal Handling
Empathy and Compassion
Behavioural Assessment
Rehabilitation Planning
Communication Skills
Customer Service
Record Keeping
Organisational Skills
Team Collaboration
Resilience
Emotional Intelligence
Basic Veterinary Knowledge
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Time Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in animal care or welfare. Include specific examples of your skills in handling animals, assessing their needs, and any previous roles that demonstrate your empathy and communication abilities.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for animal welfare. Mention why you want to work with Blue Cross specifically and how your values align with their mission. Use this opportunity to showcase your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to their team.

Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as animal handling, customer service, and communication. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked in similar environments, showcasing your ability to remain calm and effective in emotionally charged situations.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a role focused on animal welfare.

How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets

✨Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare

Make sure to express your genuine love for animals during the interview. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to animal welfare, as this will resonate with the interviewers at Blue Cross.

✨Demonstrate Your Skills in Animal Handling

Be prepared to discuss your previous experience with animal handling and assessment. Highlight specific situations where you successfully managed animal behaviour or provided care, as this role requires a strong background in these areas.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in emotionally charged situations. Think of examples where you had to handle difficult scenarios involving pets or their owners, and be ready to explain how you approached these challenges.

✨Familiarise Yourself with the Organisation

Research Blue Cross and its mission to provide the best care for pets. Understanding their values and services will help you align your answers with their goals, showing that you are a good fit for their team.

Pet Welfare Assistant (Onsite), Southampton, FTC til June 2026
Blue Cross For Pets
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