Animal Care Assistant - Weekend

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading veterinary institution in Scotland seeks a part-time Animal Care Assistant to provide essential support for weekend hospitalised patients. Responsibilities include maintaining hygiene standards, feeding and grooming, and assisting veterinary staff with patient care. Ideal candidates will have experience in a veterinary setting, strong communication skills, and a full driving licence. This role offers a supportive environment and a comprehensive training program, making it perfect for passionate animal lovers.

Benefits

Staff discount for pet treatment

On-site gym discounts

Free car parking with electric charging

Cycle to work scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Experience in animal care roles is essential.
• Must be able to work in a team and independently.
• Strong communication ability required.
• A driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Clean and maintain kennels and clinical areas.
• Support infection control protocols.
• Feed and groom inpatients.
• Walk dogs and provide enrichment.
• Assist vets and nurses with animal procedures.

Skills

Experience working with animals in a veterinary setting

Ability to work alone and as part of a team

Excellent communication skills

Full, clean driving licence

Job description

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.

Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab)

Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

Staff benefits and perks

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 exercises classes https://www.ed.ac.uk/sport-exercise/gym-memberships
  • Free car parking with electric car charging points https://www.ed.ac.uk/transport/driving/ev-charging
  • Two on site canteens.
  • Cycle to work scheme, on-site bike lockers and showers available. https://www.ed.ac.uk/transport/cycling/getting-a-bike/cycle-to-work
• Additional shift cover opportunities are available, accruing paid overtime for additional hours worked.
• Holiday entitlement of 36 days and 4 days public holiday per annum for full time staff (pro rata).
• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

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 (opens new browser tab)

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 12 December 2025.

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 browsers local time zone.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.