Animal Care Assistant

**Main Purpose of the Job**

**To admit, rehabilitate and rehome neglected, abandoned and unwanted domestic animals. To work to branch policies on animal welfare, ensuring the very best care and welfare based on current science.**

**To engage with, and establish excellent customer relations, by educating the general public and adopters in the care and welfare of their animals.**

**Duties**

**Animal Welfare**
- **Provide the highest possible standard of care for all animals under the branch care at all times.**
- **Treat all animals in the centre as individuals; provide care for, observe, manage and rehome them on this basis.**
- **Ensure the physical, mental and social needs of the animals in our care are met to the highest possible standard.**
- **Clean, disinfect and maintain animal accommodation to the standard set by the management team at the centre and in accordance with branch procedures, ensuring a balance between good hygiene and the welfare needs of the animal.**
- **Provide food and clean water suitable to the needs of the individual animals.**
- **Observe animals arriving at the centre identifying any behavioural or welfare needs during the intake process and report this to the centre management team**
- **Work with the area supervisors to develop individual welfare plans for those animals identified.**
- **Using the behaviour plans provide training and rehabilitation using positive interaction.**
- **Provide enrichment in accordance with branch policies for all animals, and ensure all training and interaction is positive and reward based.**
- **Through observations create a rehoming profile for each individual animal in our care.**
- **Carry out health checks, minor treatments and regular weight checks in accordance with branch procedures and ensure any concerns are reported to the centre management team.**
- **Implant microchips and complete associated records.**
- **Provide support and assist with the inspection of animals, and/or treatment of animals by a Veterinary Surgeon.**
- **Provide an objective and realistic approach to animal rehoming, considering the animals welfare, the safety of other animals and members of the public.**

Customer Care/Education
- Present a professional and friendly approach to customers and visitors to the centre both face to face, on the telephone and through e communication.
- Support customers in the selection of animals appropriate to their circumstances by providing accurate and relevant information and advice.
- Ensure all adopters are given the full information regarding the animal’s history including behaviour observations, routine and non routine veterinary treatments.
- Attend events and education sessions with the centre management team and provide training and support to the general public and students.
- Attend animal welfare events to deliver education and basic treatments in the community including microchipping of animals most in need.

General
- Work as directed by the centre management team or appointed person in charge
- Ensure the security of the site and animal accommodation to protect both the animals in the centre’s care, and branch assets.
- Maintain all service buildings to a high standard of presentation and cleanliness at all times.
- Abide by branch health and safety policy and procedures. Ensure the safety of yourself, your colleagues, volunteers and the general public at all times. Ensure any concerns are reported in a timely manner to the appropriate member of the management team.
- Support the management team in the administration of our social media profiles, highlighting interesting stories and opportunities for good public relations.
- Ensure an objective and realistic approach to animal rehoming, considering animal welfare and safety.
- Ensure all activities requiring records are completed precisely and clearly in accordance with branch procedures.
- Provide support, training and direction to branch/centre volunteers and work placement students.
- Ensure excellent stock rotation and appropriate use of goods considering waste and cost implications. Support the management team in the monitoring and management of stock levels.
- Ensure appropriate forms relating to animal welfare, adoption and intake are completed appropriately.
- Provide support to all other areas of the centre including reception cover and support to the management team in conducting their duties.
- Undertake any other duties as required by the management team

**Please let us know if you have applied previously**

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £4.81-£9.50 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Store discounts

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift

**Experience**:

- Animal care: 1 year (preferred)