Animal Care Assistant

Scottish SPCA; Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 11,000 - 14,000; Part time

Job summary

We are currently looking for an Animal Care Assistant to join the team at the Inverness Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre on a part time basis for 6 months. This centre offers rehabilitation and rehoming to domestic and exotic animals.

Hours are 18.75 per week, with five days in 14 including weekend work on a rota basis. Salary is £12,392.25 per annum (FTE £24,784.50). Contract type: Fixed Term (6 months).

Qualifications

• PVG check is required due to working with youth volunteers.
• Hours include weekends on a rota basis.

Responsibilities

• Assist with treatments, medications, births and general care of all animals within the ARRC in line with vet team processes
• Maintain and monitor accurate animal records following and updating each animal’s care plan as required
• Attend to the welfare needs of all animals (food preparation/feeding routines, grooming & exercising)
• Animal accommodation, isolation areas, pens, treatment rooms and exercise facilities are maintained to strict standards of cleanliness and hygiene
• Handle enquiries from the general public and provide excellent customer service
• Conduct educational tours of the centre
• Assist with home checks for rehoming animals
• Assist with the humane destruction of animals including carcass disposal in line with the Society’s policy of not putting healthy animals to sleep
• Promote Scottish SPCA membership to the public where appropriate
• Provide key holder duties in case of sickness/emergency where applicable
• Participate in the on‑call rota if desired

Skills

Teamwork

Follow Instructions

Customer Care

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Professionalism

Adaptability

Flexible Shifts

Personal Development

Animal Welfare

Job description

We are current looking for an Animal Care Assistant to join the team at the Inverness Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre on a part time basis for 6 months. This centre offers rehabilitation and rehoming to domestic and exotic animals.

About the Scottish SPCA

Since 1839 the Scottish SPCA has existed for one reason – to make Scotland the best place in the world for an animal to call home. We rescue, protect and lead the conversation on animal welfare. We are Scotland’s animal champions.

You can watch a short video on our journey by clicking the link below:

If you are looking for a new role and feel you meet the below criteria we would love to hear from you.

• Hours – 18.75 hours per week, 5 days in 14 to include weekend working on a rota basis
• Salary – £12,392.25 per annum (£24,784.50 per annum FTE)
• Contract Type – Fixed Term (6 months)

What does an Animal Care Assistant do?

Our Animal Care Assistants are there to provide a safe environment for all animals whilst in the care of the animal rescue and rehoming centre and to help animals find loving new homes wherever possible.

Working with many different types of animals, no day will ever look the same. The role responsibilities include feeding, grooming, cleaning and maintaining animal accommodation, exercising and socialising animals according to their individual needs, carrying out routine health checks, and administering vet approved medication and care when required.

Overview of main duties and responsibilities

• Assist with any treatments, medications, births and general care of all animals within the ARRC in line with vet team processes
• Maintain and monitor accurate animal record following and updating each animal’s care plan as required
• Attend to the welfare needs of all animals (food preparation/feeding routines, grooming & exercising)
• Animal accommodation, isolation areas, pens, treatment rooms and exercise facilities are maintained to strict standards of cleanliness and hygiene
• Handle enquiries from the general public and provide excellent customer service
• Conduct educational tours of the centre
• Assist with home checks for rehoming animals
• Assist with the humane destruction of animals including carcass disposal in line with the Society’s policy of not putting healthy animals to sleep
• Promote Scottish SPCA membership to the public where appropriate
• Provide key holder duties in case of sickness/emergency where applicable
• Participate in the on‑call rota if desired

Please see full Job Description link for more detailed information on the role.

What makes a good Animal Care Assistant?

• Team‑working including colleagues and Society volunteers
• Follow instructions and work to set processes
• Excellent customer care and communication skills
• Good attention to detail in a fast‑paced role
• Treats others with professionalism, courtesy, and respect at all times
• Capacity to adapt, recover and move forward
• Flexibility to cover shift pattern which to include weekends
• Drive to improve personal development
• A willingness to work within group shift pattern
• A passion for animal welfare

This position will require completion of a PVG check due to working with youth volunteers.

We are fortunate that some of our roles attract a high level of interest therefore, we may have to close roles earlier than advertised. Early application submissions are highly recommended. This also means that we cannot provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates due to receiving high levels of applications.

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to achieving our core mission.

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an Equine Welfare Member of the National Equine Welfare Council.