Animal Care Assistant

Animal Care Assistant

Birmingham Full-Time 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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The Rspca

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Care for and rehabilitate rescued animals, ensuring their comfort and wellbeing.
  • Company: Join the RSPCA at our Birmingham Animal Centre, dedicated to animal welfare.
  • Benefits: Full-time role with a supportive team and rewarding work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of animals in need.
  • Qualifications: Experience with animals, strong communication skills, and resilience required.
  • Other info: Diverse workplace encouraging applications from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

A bit about usWe are looking for an Animal Care Assistant to join our team at our Birmingham Animal Centre, which is located in Frankley Green, Birmingham. This is a 12 month fixed term contract working full time, 35 hours per week. You will work a 4 week rolling rota which will includes working 2 weekends out of 4.

Birmingham Animal Centre has state of the art facilities in 72 acres of countryside with the capacity to house 160 cats and 60 dogs, plus a unit that houses rabbits and other small animals. Some animals in our care have suffered so much abuse that it takes our dedicated team weeks, if not months, to get the animals to trust humans again. Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers work hard to do this, and help our intakes to find their forever second homes.

Face to face interviews will take place on the 7th & 8th October 2025.

You can find out more about the work we do at the centre by visiting our social media pages:

Overview

What a day might look like for you

Our Animal Care Assistants are responsible for the care and rehabilitation of animals who have been rescued from cruelty, abuse and neglect. You\’ll start your day cleaning the animals\’ accommodation, as well as feeding and watering them, and then start the daily exercise routine. It can be physically hard, but also very rewarding and satisfying work knowing the animals are comfortable and happy when you are finished. Our Animal Care Assistants ensure the highest standards of welfare, and will monitor and report on animal behaviour, wellbeing and health. You will also administer medication or treatment prescribed by a Vet, and implement behaviour modification programmes with guidance from our Behaviour and Welfare Advisors and the wider team. Once the animals in our care are ready for their forever home, you will be involved in the adoption process, helping to find the perfect matched home for the animal you look after. You\\\’ll also meet with potential adopters to provide post-adoption advice and support.

Join, Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK – We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed to our mission. For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications – in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities – as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family!

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respec

Responsibilities

  • Experience working with animals through paid or voluntary work (not including your own pets).
  • Resilience – many of the animals in our care have been victims of neglect and/or abuse and cruelty.
  • Willing to undertake practical work outdoors in all weather (subject to reasonable adjustments if required).
  • Excellent communication and team working skills – you\\\’ll be working with colleagues across the RSPCA, volunteers and members of the public.
  • Able to multitask and work under pressure – working with animals can be busy and unpredictable!
  • Comfortable with using IT – you\\\’ll be keeping computerised records on the animals under your care.
  • Hold a full manual driving licence, subject to reasonable adjustments.
  • Work shifts including some weekends and bank holidays.

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Animal Care Assistant employer: The Rspca

At the Birmingham Animal Centre, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to animal welfare and community engagement. Our state-of-the-art facilities set in 72 acres of beautiful countryside provide a supportive work environment where our Animal Care Assistants can thrive, with opportunities for professional growth and development. Join a passionate team that values diversity and offers meaningful work, ensuring that every day is rewarding as you help rehabilitate animals and find them loving homes.
The Rspca

Contact Detail:

The Rspca Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the Birmingham Animal Centre! Familiarise yourself with their mission and values. This will help you connect with the team during your interview and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your animal care skills! If you've got experience, think of specific examples where you've helped animals in need. If not, consider volunteering at local shelters to gain hands-on experience before your interview.

✨Tip Number 3

Be ready for a practical assessment! Since the role involves physical tasks, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities. Show them you can clean, feed, and care for animals efficiently.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and comfortable with using IT, which is a key part of the job!

We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant

Animal Care
Resilience
Communication Skills
Team Working Skills
Multitasking
Ability to Work Under Pressure
IT Proficiency
Full Manual Driving Licence
Experience with Animal Rehabilitation
Understanding of Animal Welfare Standards
Behaviour Modification Implementation
Customer Service Skills
Physical Stamina
Adaptability to Weather Conditions

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 animals, whether through work or volunteering, and explain why you want to be part of our mission at the Birmingham Animal Centre.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of an Animal Care Assistant. We want to see how you can contribute to our team and help the animals in our care.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you can find more info about our work there!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Rspca

✨Know Your Animals

Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of animal care and welfare. Familiarise yourself with common issues faced by rescued animals, as well as the specific needs of different species. This will show your passion for the role and your understanding of the challenges involved.

✨Show Your Resilience

Given that many animals have suffered abuse, it's crucial to demonstrate your resilience and empathy during the interview. Share personal experiences or examples from previous roles where you’ve had to handle difficult situations, showing how you remained calm and focused.

✨Teamwork is Key

Highlight your communication and teamwork skills. Be ready to discuss how you've worked effectively in a team before, especially in high-pressure environments. Mention any experience you have collaborating with volunteers or the public, as this is vital in an animal care setting.

✨Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the centre's rehabilitation processes or how they support staff in their roles. It shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.

Animal Care Assistant
The Rspca
Location: Birmingham
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