At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for animals, conduct health checks, and manage boarding services.
- Company: Join the RSPCA Isle of Wight, a leading animal welfare charity.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in animal care and work with a passionate team.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable animals every day.
- Qualifications: Must have animal care experience and an Animal Management Level 2 diploma.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
We have a vacancy for an Animal Care Assistant – Kennels at the Island Animal Centre, near Rookley. The RSPCA cares for some of the Island's most vulnerable animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, small animals and wildlife. We also run a busy commercial boarding business looking after cats and dogs while their owners are on holiday. Following recent expansion, we’re looking for an additional member of staff primarily to support our rehoming and boarding kennels.
Job Role:
- Attending to the needs of the animals in our care, including enrichment activities, grooming, and the administration of medications.
- Regular walks and exercising.
- Cleaning all areas of the centre, including animal accommodation, isolation, and exercise areas; food preparation, laundry, and storage facilities to maintain to a high standard of cleanliness.
- Welcoming boarding customers, and managing their check-in and check-out.
- Carrying out routine health checks on animals, looking for signs of infection or abnormality.
- Working with our visiting vets, and taking animals off-site for veterinary treatments where required.
- Providing training and support to the team of volunteers who work at the Island Animal Centre.
- Working with the general public to rehome animals, including meeting potential adopters, assessing their suitability and providing post-adoption advice.
Working Hours:
The post is for 7 days per week – 37.5 hours each week. Our team work on a 3-week rota, which includes weekend working.
Job requirements:
- Essential: A passion for caring for animals.
- Essential: Commitment to working in the charity sector, and upholding the values of the RSPCA.
- Essential: Applicants must have professional experience of animal care.
- Essential: Animal Management Level 2 diploma or equivalent animal related qualification.
- Essential: Confidence and experience of handling a range of dogs.
- Desirable: The role may include taking animals to the vets. A driving licence is therefore desirable.
- Desirable: Our team work flexibly across the centre, so experience of working with other animals is desirable.
- Desirable: A Level 4 Dog Training qualification approved by the ABTC. A successful candidate with this qualification would take a wider role undertaking behaviour assessments and creating training plans, and be eligible for the higher salary.
Animal Care Assistant - Kennels - RSPCA Isle of Wight in Godshill employer: RSPCA Isle of Wight
Contact Detail:
RSPCA Isle of Wight Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant - Kennels - RSPCA Isle of Wight in Godshill
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the RSPCA Isle of Wight! Familiarise yourself with their mission and values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate – you’re someone who genuinely cares about animal welfare and is ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your animal handling skills! If you’ve got experience with dogs, make sure you can demonstrate it. Bring up specific examples during your chat, like how you’ve managed different breeds or dealt with challenging behaviours.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about teamwork! The role involves working with volunteers and the public, so share stories about how you’ve collaborated in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve helped others understand animal care.
✨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 RSPCA team and making a difference for those vulnerable animals.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant - Kennels - RSPCA Isle of Wight in Godshill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animals: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to animal care. We want to see that you genuinely care about the well-being of our furry friends.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in animal care, especially with dogs. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've handled various situations. This helps us see how you'd fit into our team at the RSPCA.
Keep It Clean and Professional: Your written application should be neat and free of errors. A clean presentation reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in animal care. Take the time to proofread your application before hitting send!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at RSPCA Isle of Wight
✨Know Your Animals
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of different animal breeds, especially dogs, as this role focuses heavily on canine care. Familiarise yourself with common health issues and behaviours so you can discuss them confidently during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your love for animals shine through! Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to animal welfare. This will resonate well with the RSPCA's values and show that you're genuinely invested in the role.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific situations, like dealing with an injured animal or managing a busy kennel environment. Think through your responses and be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the types of animals you'll be working with. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.