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.
- 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.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth and resilience building.
The predicted salary is between 26872 - 26872 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 19 February 2026
Department: Veterinary Services
Location: Victoria animal hospital
Compensation: £26,872 / year
Contract: Permanent, part time (34 hours over 4 days per week)
Salary: £26,872 plus £3,954 London Weighting Allowance per annum
Closing date: Thursday 19th February 2026
Interview date: 4th and 6th March 2026
Since June 1999, we’ve 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 patient’s 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.
This is a part time position working 34 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
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 Animal Hospital employer: Blue Cross UK
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant - Victoria Animal Hospital
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! If you can, visit the Victoria Animal Hospital before your interview. Chat with staff and get a feel for the place. It shows you're genuinely interested and helps you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your animal care skills! Brush up on your knowledge about common pet health issues and treatments. Being able to discuss these confidently during your interview will impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your empathy! Prepare examples of how you've handled difficult situations with clients or pets in the past. This role is all about compassion, so let that shine through in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do and how you can fit into our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant - Victoria Animal Hospital
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in animal care. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your passion for helping pets!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be interacting with both animals and their owners, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication abilities. Use clear and friendly language in your application to reflect how you’d engage with clients at our hospital.
Be Genuine and Empathetic: We’re looking for someone who truly cares about animals and their owners. Share personal stories or experiences that show your empathy and resilience in challenging situations – it’ll make your application stand out!
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 this fantastic opportunity at Victoria Animal Hospital.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
✨Know Your Stuff About Animal Care
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of animal care and veterinary practices. Familiarise yourself with common procedures, treatments, and the specific services offered by the Victoria Animal Hospital. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Empathy Skills
Since you'll be dealing with distressed clients, it's crucial to demonstrate your empathy during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've handled emotional situations in the past, whether with animals or people. This will highlight your ability to remain calm and supportive under pressure.
✨Practice Your Communication
Good communication is key in this role, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might want to role-play common scenarios you could face at the hospital, such as explaining treatment options to a pet owner. This will help you feel more comfortable when discussing your experience and skills.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some practical questions about animal handling and care. Think about your previous experiences in veterinary settings and be prepared to discuss specific tasks you've performed. Highlight any relevant skills, like administering medication or monitoring animal behaviour, to show you're ready for the job.
