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- Tasks: Assist in caring for pets, ensuring their welfare and preparing 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.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible part-time hours with potential for career growth in animal welfare.
The predicted salary is between 19194 - 23993 £ per year.
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Location: Hertfordshire
Contract: 12 months fixed term, 30 hours per week
Salary: £19,194 per annum (£23,993 FTE)
Application Deadline: 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. This is a 12 month fixed term contract. 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 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.
Responsibilities
- As a skilled animal handler and assessor, you will be responsible for the “preparation stage” with the pets in our care, including caring, carrying out assessments and rehabilitation plans, and preparing them for the “adoption stage” or the best possible outcome for their circumstances with minimal delay.
- You will ensure welfare standards are met and that rehabilitation plans are followed and supported.
- You will work independently and with the team, carry out meetings with owners surrendering their pets, ensure all information is recorded, paperwork completed, and that the pet is immediately assessed for behavioural or veterinary problems.
- You will work closely with the Adoptions Coordinator to provide additional in-person or virtual advice and practical demonstrations to ensure adopters are fully aware of the work done with the pet and how to continue any behaviour training or medical provision.
- This is a part-time role working 30 hours per week on the following fixed 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 may be asked to carry out night checks or stay in onsite accommodation overnight when resident team members are not working or away for a period of time.
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 assess the needs of a pet, be alert to behavioural signs, and have a basic knowledge of the use of medication (e.g., hibiscrub, flea and tick treatments, diabetes management).
- You will understand that the best welfare intervention for a pet is to help it 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, able to assimilate information, accurately recording information while also conducting conversations with clients and stakeholders.
- You will be an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in an emotionally charged environment with resilience and empathy.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Experience of having previously worked or volunteered with domestic animals or in an animal welfare environment.
- Previous experience in a customer-focused environment with high customer satisfaction.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Good organisational and administration skills, including computerised systems.
- Current full driving licence.
Desirable (not required)
- Qualification or 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 of 17 February 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive an overwhelming response.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. The benefits package includes:
- Full-time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programs 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) in Kimpton 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 - Onsite Services (fixed term) in Kimpton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! 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've got experience, brush up on it. If not, consider volunteering at a local shelter. This hands-on experience will give you confidence and examples to share during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for behavioural questions! Think about scenarios where you've shown empathy or handled difficult situations with pets or clients. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and serious about the role. Don’t forget to follow up after applying to express your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant - Onsite Services (fixed term) in Kimpton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with animal welfare and handling. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Pet Welfare Assistant, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Show Your Passion: Let your love for animals shine through in your written application. We’re all about providing the best care for pets, so share any personal stories or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to animal welfare.
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 why you’d be a great fit for our team.
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 the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
✨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. This will show that you're not just passionate about animals, but also knowledgeable about their care.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As a Pet Welfare Assistant, you'll need to communicate effectively with both pets and people. Prepare examples of how you've successfully interacted with clients or handled difficult conversations in the past. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to work in an emotionally charged environment.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios during the interview. Think about how you would assess a pet's needs or handle a situation with a pet owner. Practising these responses can help you feel more confident and prepared when it comes time to answer.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
This role involves working closely with a team, so be ready to discuss your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've worked with others to achieve a common goal, especially in a high-pressure environment. This will highlight your ability to contribute positively to the team dynamic.
