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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 generous 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 part-time hours with a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 14396 - 14396 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 26 February 2026
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Location: Burford
Compensation: £14,396 / year
Description
Contract: Permanent, 22.5 hours per week
Salary: £14,396 per annum (£23,993 FTE)
Location: Burford, OX18 4PF
Closing date: Thursday 26th February 2026
Interview date: Monday 9th March 2026
We are recruiting a Pet Welfare Assistant for onsite animal care in our kennels, for our Rehoming & Fostering team in Burford. 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 Burford rehoming centre.
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 new owners 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 role is mostly based in our kennels department.
This is a part time role on a 2 week rota consisting of the below days;
- Week 1: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
- Week 2: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
At our Burford 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 onsite 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 Thursday 26th 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 in Burford employer: Blue Cross UK
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pet Welfare Assistant in Burford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Blue Cross and their mission. When you show genuine interest in their work during interviews, it’ll really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your animal handling skills! If you can demonstrate your experience with pets during the interview, it’ll give you a huge advantage. Bring examples of how you've helped animals in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your empathy and communication skills. As a Pet Welfare Assistant, you'll need to connect with both pets and their owners, so share stories that highlight your strengths in these areas.
✨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 team at Blue Cross.
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant in Burford
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-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm at a glance.
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—just click the apply button and follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
✨Know Your Stuff About Animal Welfare
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of animal welfare standards and rehabilitation plans. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully assessed or cared for pets, as this will show your genuine passion for the role.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As a Pet Welfare Assistant, you'll need to communicate effectively with both pets and their owners. Prepare to demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview by sharing stories that highlight your ability to connect with clients and handle sensitive situations with empathy.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about how you would handle various situations involving pet assessments or owner interactions. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills clearly.
✨Demonstrate Your Resilience
Working in an emotionally charged environment can be tough. Be prepared to discuss how you've bounced back from challenging situations in the past. Highlighting your resilience and emotional intelligence will show that you're well-suited for the demands of the role.
