At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide daily care and enrichment for animals in a loving environment.
- Company: Join the National Animal Welfare Trust, a charity dedicated to animal welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, life assurance, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of animals while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for animal welfare and experience handling animals is essential.
The predicted salary is between 12.71 - 12.71 £ per hour.
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the National Animal Welfare Trust’s team at our Cornwall Centre as an Animal Care Assistant. You will be working for a charity that never stops caring for its animals and people. We believe every pet deserves a chance to thrive in a loving home. Across our five rescue and rehoming centres across the south of England, we care for homeless and unwanted cats, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs - helping them find the families they’ve been waiting for.
Location: NAWT Cornwall, Wheal Alfred Road, Hayle, TR27 5JT
Hours: 16 hours per week, working weekends on a rota basis
Salary: £12.71 per hour
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd August
About the role: You will have a vital role and will be responsible for providing high-quality daily care, handling, and enrichment for animals within our rehoming centre, supporting their physical and emotional wellbeing and contributing to their successful rehoming. You will work closely with a dedicated team to ensure the centre runs smoothly and maintains high welfare standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Animal Care & Welfare
- Feed, groom, and exercise animals according to individual care plans
- Clean enclosures, bedding, and feeding areas to a high hygienic standard
- Administer basic medical treatments under supervision (e.g. flea/worm treatments, medication)
- Monitor animal health and behaviour, reporting concerns promptly to senior staff
- Enrichment & Socialisation
- Provide mental and physical stimulation through play, training, and enrichment
- Help animals adjust to shelter life and prepare them for adoption such as lead walking, crate training and basic obedience
- Adoption & Rehoming Support
- Assist with introductions between potential adopters and animals
- Provide accurate and compassionate information to visitors and adopters
- Help maintain accurate records of animal care, behaviour, and medical needs
- Centre Operations
- Follow health & safety protocols at all times
- Maintain a clean and safe working environment for staff, volunteers, and visitors
- Support fundraising, events, or outreach initiatives as needed
Person Specification:
Essential:
- Genuine passion for animal welfare, rescue and rehoming work
- Experience handling animals (personal or professional)
- Good communication skills and a team-player mindset with ability to work on your own initiative
- Manual working tasks
- Willingness to work weekends and public holidays on a rota basis
Desirable:
- Previous work or volunteering experience in a kennel, cattery, or shelter
- Qualification in animal care or welfare (e.g. Level 2/3 Animal Care)
- Familiarity with animal behaviour and basic training techniques
Working Conditions:
- Outdoor and indoor work in all weather conditions
- Hands-on animal handling, including cleaning, feeding and lead walking a wide variety of dog breeds
- Uniform is provided
- Empathy and emotional resilience when dealing with sometimes challenging circumstances, such as animals in distress and potential euthanasia cases
So, if you are the kind of person who enjoys a busy and varied role, with an empathy for the aims of NAWT, and would relish the opportunity to gain lots of experience within animal welfare – this may be the job for you!
As part of our commitment to making NAWT a great place to work, we offer access to the following employee benefits:
- 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays rising to 38 days after 5 years of service (pro-rated for part time employees)
- Group Life Assurance Scheme
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
We are an inclusive organisation and are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from the communities we work in. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit.
If you feel you have the right skills to be a successful Animal Care Assistant at our Cornwall Centre, please send your CV with your cover letter outlining how your experience and interest connect to our position to l.clarkepayne@nawt.org.uk
Please note we are accepting applications on a rolling basis and may close the recruitment process for this role prior to the deadline, so early applications are encouraged. Unfortunately, we are only able to make contact with those applicants who will be invited to interview.
Part-Time Animal Care Assistant – Cornwall employer: National Animal Welfare Trust
Joining the National Animal Welfare Trust as a Part Time Animal Care Assistant in Cornwall means becoming part of a compassionate team dedicated to animal welfare. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits including 33 days of annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and access to wellbeing resources, all within a supportive and inclusive work culture that values your passion for helping animals find loving homes.
Contact Details:
National Animal Welfare Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Part-Time Animal Care Assistant – Cornwall
✨Get Your Hands Dirty in the Community
Nothing beats on-the-ground experience when it comes to agriculture. Volunteer at local farms or join community gardening projects to meet industry folks. They often have inside info on part-time gigs that might not even be advertised yet!
✨Tap Into Agriculture Networks
Join local agricultural societies or online forums specific to your area. These communities are goldmines for part-time opportunities and can connect you with farmers and organisations looking for helping hands.
✨Seasonal Availability Is Key
Make sure you know when the busy seasons are! Many farms ramp up hiring during planting and harvest times. Keep an eye out for those windows and shoot your applications off early through our website to increase your chances.
✨Show Off Your Passion!
Bring your enthusiasm to the table. During interviews or interactions, share any relevant coursework or experiences you’ve had in agriculture. Whether it’s a school project or a home garden, showing that you're keen can set you apart when competing for that part-time role with National Animal Welfare Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Part-Time Animal Care Assistant – Cornwall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In your CV, make sure to shine a light on any agriculture-related experience you've got, whether it's from coursework, volunteer work, or hands-on jobs. Don't forget about specific skills like crop management or knowledge of sustainable practices; those are real winners for National Animal Welfare Trust!
Show Off Your Passion:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for agriculture come through! Talk about why you're passionate about working in this field and what makes you excited about the opportunity at National Animal Welfare Trust. We love hearing personal stories that connect you to the agriculture world!
Tailor Your Application:Avoid the one-size-fits-all approach. Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter for the part-time role at National Animal Welfare Trust. This might mean adjusting the wording to reflect the specific tasks and responsibilities mentioned in the job listing, ensuring you clearly fit the bill.
Include Certifications or Courses:If you have any relevant certifications or courses related to agriculture, make sure to include those! Whether it's a short course in sustainable farming or a certification in organic agriculture, these can really boost your application. It shows you're dedicated to the field and continuously learning!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Animal Welfare Trust
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Given the agriculture field, it's vital we understand farming techniques, equipment, and even pest management strategies. Be ready to discuss specific practices you've encountered or used—perhaps your experience with certain crops or technologies in farming.
✨Showcase Your Practical Experience
Employers want to see that we can apply our knowledge in the field. If you've had hands-on experience—like internships, volunteering on a farm, or even personal projects—talk about them! Share what you learned and how it shaped your understanding of agricultural processes.
✨Flexibility & Commitment—Key for Part-Time Roles
Part-time roles often require a bit of juggling. Be ready to show your willingness to adapt your schedule for peak seasons or specific needs that come up. Discuss your availability openly, and highlight your enthusiasm for being part of the team.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In agriculture, we might face situations that test our problem-solving skills. Expect questions like how we'd handle a pest outbreak or deal with unpredictable weather. Practise articulating your thought process and solutions, as it shows we can think on our feet.