Dog Welfare Assistant

Dogs Trust Company Limited; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Dog Welfare Assistants are the backbone of our centres, as they care for our four-legged friends every day. We’re looking for someone who can provide our dogs with the highest level of care and enrichment, as they prepare for their forever home.

The successful candidate will have a full, manual driving licence, and experience with or handling dogs. This is a one year fixed term contract from 21 October 2026 to 21 October 2027, with interviews provisionally scheduled for 6 October at Newbury

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and empathy with people and animals.
• Experience with dogs and basic dog behaviour knowledge.
• Strong team player with energy and a can-do attitude.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care to dogs in the rehoming centre following Dogs Trust code of practice and health and safety guidelines.
• Educate potential new owners and the public on dog care and welfare.
• Deliver excellent customer service to visitors at the centre.

Skills

Excellent communication

Empathy

Team player

Full driving licence

Job description

Dog Welfare Assistant

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

Department: Rehoming

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Newbury

Compensation: £25,250 per year + benefits

Description

Have you always had an itch to scratch when it comes to helping dogs? We’re looking for someone with a commitment to animal welfare to join the team in our busy rehoming centre.

Dog Welfare Assistants are the backbone of our centres, as they care for our four-legged friends every day. We’re looking for someone who can provide our dogs with the highest level of care and enrichment, as they prepare for their forever home.

This is a one year fixed term contract between 21st October 2026 until 21st October 2027.

What does this role do?

• provide daily care to the dogs in the rehoming centre, working to Dogs Trust's code of practice and Health and Safety guidelines,
• educate potential new owners and the general public on the care and welfare of their dogs,
• deliver excellent customer service to all visitors to the centre.

Could this be you?

The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with the ability to show empathy to both people and animals. A strong team player, you'll have lots of energy and a positive upbeat attitude. Experienced in working with or handling dogs, you'll be knowledgeable in basic behaviour and health issues and, above all, be committed to the aims and objectives of Dogs Trust. A full, manual driving licence is also essential, as driving will be a part of the role.

Interviews are provisionally scheduled for 6 October at Newbury Rehoming Centre.

What does this team do?

Our rehoming centres house thousands of dogs each year until they can find a loving new home and the success of our centres wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers; there is a real family-community within each of our centres. Come rain or shine, our team are out in all weathers to make sure the dogs have the best possible life. Dealing with thousands of visitors each month, our rehoming centres are the face of Dogs Trust, and we pride ourselves on our staff providing the very best in customer service.