Dog Welfare Assistant

Dogs Trust; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Dogs Trust is seeking a dedicated Dog Welfare Assistant at our Ballymena Rehoming Centre. You will provide daily care to dogs, follow our code of practice and health and safety guidelines, and help prepare dogs for their forever homes.

You will educate potential new owners and the public on dog care, deliver excellent customer service to visitors, and work as part of a busy, friendly team with energy and compassion. A full, manual driving licence is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in working with or handling dogs.
• Knowledgeable in basic dog behaviour and health issues.
• Full manual driving licence is essential.

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 general public on dog care and welfare.
• Deliver excellent customer service to all centre visitors.

Skills

Excellent communication

Empathy

Team player

Driving licence

Job description

Dog Welfare Assistant

Application Deadline: 25 November 2026

Department: Rehoming

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Ballymena

Compensation: £25,250 per year, plus 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.

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.

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.

Interviews will be provisionally booked for 3rd December 2026 at our Ballymena Rehoming Centre.