Rehoming Centre Groom (2093)

The Donkey Sanctuary; Whimple; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

An animal welfare organization in Whimple, UK, is seeking a compassionate Rehoming Centre Groom. Responsibilities include daily care of resident donkeys, rehabilitation, and training. Candidates should demonstrate equine skills, a collaborative approach, and a valid UK driving licence. This is a part-time, 12-month fixed-term contract with additional benefits such as life assurance and health plans.

Benefits

Life assurance

31 days holiday, increasing with service

Wellbeing team

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes

Long service awards

Free parking

Subsidised restaurant and shop

Qualifications

• Previous equine experience or experience of animal husbandry.
• Able to demonstrate a collaborative, positive approach to team working.
• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
• Willing to commit to regular ongoing work-related training.
• UK full valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Providing daily care to resident donkeys including checking, feeding, and grooming.
• Working alongside equine professionals such as Vets, Dentists, and Farriers.
• Helping to rehabilitate and train donkeys with guidance from the supervisor.
• Assisting with welfare support collaborating with the Equine Operations department.
• Assisting with offsite visits and caring for donkeys during transport.
• Mucking out, paddock maintenance, and feeding.

Skills

Teamworking

Interpersonal skills

Equine skills

Animal husbandry

Job description

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.

We have an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated, flexible and compassionate individual, with strong teamworking, interpersonal and equine skills to join our dedicated Rehoming Centre, at Strete, near Exeter. As Rehoming Centre Groom, you will provide care, behaviour training and handling to our resident donkeys being prepared for our rehoming scheme, enabling individual donkeys to move into a loving Guardian home where they can benefit from one-to-one care and attention.

About you:

• Previous equine experience or experience of animal husbandry.
• Able to demonstrate a collaborative, positive approach to team working.
• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
• Willing to commit to regular ongoing work-related training.
• UK full valid driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Providing daily care to our resident donkeys, including checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing and worming.
• Working alongside internal & external equine professionals such as Vets, Dentists and Farriers, as required.
• Helping to rehabilitate and train donkeys through the guidance of the supervisor and behaviour team by providing a regular training plan to suit the individual needs of donkeys for rehoming.
• Supporting with welfare support when required, collaborating with the wider Equine Operations department.
• Assisting with all aspects of offsite visits, including the loading, unloading and supervision of the donkeys during transport.
• Providing additional donkey care by operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, paddock maintenance, feeding and bedding up of barns and distributing straw and haylage.

What we offer in return:

Based at The Donkey Sanctuary Rehoming Centre, Strete, near Exeter in East Devon – an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” – this is a part‑time, 12‑month fixed term contract starting as soon as possible, working 22.5 hours per week, 08.00‑16.30, Tuesday‑Thursday. Flexibility will be required for weekend working and late checks as part of the team rota.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth.

Closing date for completed applications: Thursday 27 November 2025.

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.