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- Tasks: Care for animals, maintain hygiene, and assist vets in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a leading veterinary and teaching hospital with a compassionate team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, staff discounts, and onsite perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals, strong communication skills, and a full driving licence required.
- Other info: Comprehensive training provided and opportunities for additional paid overtime.
The predicted salary is between 2080 - 2200 £ per month.
Grade UE04: £26,093- £28,778 pro rata per annum (based on a 35 hour week)
CMVM- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Part Time: 8 hours per week. 7am-4pm shift time working both Saturday and Sunday every other week (TBC with successful candidate)
Open Ended: Permanent Contract
The Opportunity
Are you passionate about animal care and ready to make a real difference? This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a leading veterinary and teaching hospital, where your work directly supports the health and wellbeing of a wide range of animals. We’re proud of our dynamic and compassionate team of vets, nurses, and assistants—all united by a shared commitment to delivering exceptional patient care. Now, we’re looking for someone equally dedicated to join our Animal Care Team. This is a hands-on, fast-paced position that plays a vital role in the care of our weekend hospitalised patients. You’ll be involved in a variety of essential tasks, including:
- Cleaning and maintaining kennels, wards and clinical areas to the highest hygiene standards
- Supporting hospital’s infection control protocols
- Feeding and grooming inpatients
- Walking dogs and providing enrichment
- Assisting vets and nurses with procedures involving dogs, cats, and exotic species
- Managing laundry and general patient care duties
Training & Support
We offer a comprehensive 6–8 week training programme to help you settle into the role. You’ll normally shadow our friendly and experienced team during standard daytime hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm) to build your confidence and skills. Any hours worked beyond your contracted time during training will be paid as overtime.
Your skills and attributes for success
- Experience working with animals in a veterinary setting is essential.
- Ability to work alone as well as part of a team is essential.
- Excellent communication skills are essential to this role.
- Full, clean driving licence is essential.
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- Staff discount for pet treatment.
- Amazing onsite perks:
- Staff discount for on-site gym and exercise classes
- Free car parking with electric car charging points
- Two on site canteens
- Cycle to work scheme, on-site bike lockers and showers available
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages. The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 18 February 2026. Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser's local time zone. Interview dates to be confirmed.
Animal Care Assistant - Weekend employer: The University of Edinburgh
Contact Detail:
The University of Edinburgh Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant - Weekend
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Animal Care Team at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Understanding their values and mission can help you connect during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their dynamic group.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your experience! When you’re chatting with the interviewers, make sure to highlight any hands-on experience you have with animals, especially in a veterinary setting. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to animal care in the past—this will really help you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions! Don’t be shy about asking questions during your interview. Inquire about the training programme or what a typical weekend shift looks like. This shows that you’re engaged and eager to learn more about the role and the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We recommend applying directly through our site for the best chance of landing the job. It’s a straightforward process, and you’ll be able to showcase your CV and cover letter effectively. Plus, it keeps everything organised for us!
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant - Weekend
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Tailored CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with animals, especially in a veterinary setting. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for animal care and why you’re excited about joining our team. Keep it personal and let us know what makes you the perfect fit for this role.
Follow the Application Instructions: Double-check that you’ve included all required documents—your CV and cover letter are essential! We want to make the process as smooth as possible, so stick to the guidelines provided.
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 info you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Edinburgh
✨Know Your Animals
Brush up on your knowledge of different animal species, especially those you'll be working with. Familiarise yourself with common behaviours, needs, and care practices for dogs, cats, and exotic animals. This will show your passion and readiness to contribute to the team.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in animal care, particularly in a veterinary setting. Highlight specific tasks you've performed, such as cleaning, feeding, or assisting with procedures. Real-life examples will help demonstrate your skills and commitment.
✨Teamwork is Key
Emphasise your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others in past roles, especially in high-pressure situations. This role requires a dynamic approach, so showing you can adapt is crucial.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the team. Inquire about the training programme, daily responsibilities, or how the team handles challenging situations. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
