At a Glance
- Tasks: Support animal welfare by providing care and assistance to sick pets and their owners.
- Company: Join PDSA, the UK's leading veterinary charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days holiday, and generous pension options.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on pets' lives while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for animal welfare and good customer service skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for learning and development.
The predicted salary is between 1200 - 1600 £ per month.
Make a difference every day with PDSA.
Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship. We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.
If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.
We’re looking for an Animal Care Auxiliary to join our dedicated team at PDSA Plymouth. If you have a business mind and a social heart, and want your work to make a real difference, this could be the role for you. You’ll be part of the UK’s leading veterinary charity, helping us care for the sick and injured pets of people in need and playing an important part in delivering our mission through the night.
You’ll be committed to providing a high standard of customer service and clinical care, promoting pet wellbeing and supporting the clinical team. You’ll help look after inpatients overnight by maintaining a clean, safe and hygienic environment, assisting with animal handling and supporting the team with practical tasks. You’ll also spend time on reception when needed, communicating calmly and sympathetically with clients and encouraging appropriate financial contributions to support our work.
Depending on the needs of the hospital, you may be working as part of a small team or on your own at times, so you’ll be reliable, resilient and confident using your initiative, while also knowing when to escalate concerns. You’ll bring good customer service skills, a caring, practical approach and a genuine passion for animal welfare. In return, you’ll join a supportive, purpose-led team and have the chance to make a meaningful impact for pets and owners who really need our help.
Above all, you’ll be passionate about animal welfare and keen to learn, grow and contribute to the valuable work PDSA does in the local community.
PDSA Plymouth is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans. Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well-equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.
We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.
- 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
- Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
- Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
- AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
- 15% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect. To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
Animal Care Auxiliary in Plymouth employer: PDSA
Contact Detail:
PDSA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Auxiliary in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know PDSA and their mission! Before your interview, dive into their values and recent projects. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your animal care skills! Whether it’s handling pets or understanding basic veterinary procedures, being hands-on will give you the confidence to impress during practical assessments.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your customer service chops! Think of examples where you’ve gone above and beyond for clients. PDSA values a caring approach, so let that shine through in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to get your application in front of the right people. Plus, you’ll be part of a community that’s all about making a difference for pets and their owners.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Auxiliary in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any experiences you've had with pets or in animal care, and explain why this role at PDSA is the perfect fit for you.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description. Mention specific qualities like customer service skills and your ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your journey and motivations without getting lost in lengthy explanations!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s super easy – just create a candidate account and fill out the application form. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨Know Your Stuff About Animal Welfare
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of animal welfare and the specific services PDSA provides. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to their mission will show your passion and commitment.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since you'll be interacting with clients, prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Think about situations where you had to communicate calmly and empathetically, especially in challenging circumstances.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Initiative
PDSA values collaboration, so be ready to share experiences where you worked effectively in a team. Also, highlight instances where you took the initiative or solved problems independently, as this role may require both skills.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their future plans for expanding services or how they support staff development, which reflects your eagerness to grow with them.