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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, wellbeing 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 potential for emotional growth and resilience.
The predicted salary is between 24976 - 24976 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent, part time – 15 hours over 2 days
Salary: £9,990 (£24,976 FTE)
Location: Thirsk, YO7 3SE
Closing date: Monday 20th April 2026
Interview date: W/C 27th April 2026
We’re recruiting a Pet Welfare Assistant for on-site animal care, for our Rehoming & Fostering team in Thirsk! 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 Thirsk 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. 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.
Working pattern
This is a part-time role, working 15 hours per week on a rota to include weekends and public holidays.
- Week 1: Tuesday, Saturday
- Week 2: Sunday, Tuesday
At our Thirsk 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. A full driving licence is required for this role, and as part of your role you will be using company vehicles to transport pets.
If you excel in an environment where you can see the difference you make every day, then this could be 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. 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. 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 Monday 20th April 2026.
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 - On-site Services employer: Blue Cross
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pet Welfare Assistant - On-site Services
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Blue Cross and their mission. When you understand their values, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to animal welfare and your experience. Role-play with a friend or family member to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of your work with animals. Let your love for pets shine through; it’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Welfare Assistant - On-site Services
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 passion for pets!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be working closely with pet owners and team members, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent written and verbal communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this!
Be Honest About Your Experience: Whether you’ve volunteered or worked in an animal-related environment, be upfront about your experiences. We value honesty and want to know how your background prepares you for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website before the closing date! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross
✨Know Your Stuff About Animal Welfare
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of animal welfare standards and rehabilitation plans. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience will show that you’re not just passionate about pets, but also knowledgeable about their needs.
✨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 examples of how you've successfully handled difficult conversations or provided support in an emotionally charged environment.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios involving pet care and assessments. Think through some situations where you had to assess a pet's behaviour or health, and be ready to explain how you approached those challenges and what outcomes you achieved.
✨Highlight Your Team Spirit
This role involves working closely with a team, so be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share examples of how you’ve contributed to a team environment in the past, especially in animal care settings, to show that you can work well with colleagues and contribute positively to the team dynamic.