Rehoming Centre Groom (2350)

The Donkey Sanctuary; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance

31 days holiday

Free parking

Health plan

24/7 GP service

Staff discounts

Job summary

The Donkey Sanctuary in Belfast is seeking a full-time Centre-based animal care assistant to provide daily care, feeding, health monitoring and rehabilitation for resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies, while assisting with veterinary and farrier tasks as required. You will join a dedicated team, bringing practical equine experience and a collaborative approach.

A full UK manual driving licence is essential, with safeguarding and welfare standards at the forefront of duties and training

Qualifications

• Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.
• Able to demonstrate a collaborative, positive approach to team working
• Physically fitness and able to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).
• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
• Willing to undertake work related training as required.
• Full current valid manual UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Providing care by routine checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies and assisting the vet, farrier and dentist as required.
• Assisting with the rehabilitation and training of donkeys through the guidance of the supervisor and behaviour team.
• Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Centre Manager on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management, and liaising with other staff to facilitate smooth running of the centre.
• Assisting 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.
• Maintaining up to date manual records for the donkeys and farming practices.

Skills

Equine experience

Manual driving licence

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 are seeking a flexible and professional person with a passion for Donkeys to join our dedicated team at the Belfast Centre, Templepatrick. Possessing substantial equine and animal husbandry experience, you will provide care and rehabilitation for the resident donkeys and will support the Centre Manager in maintaining a safe working environment.

About you:

• Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.
• Able to demonstrate a collaborative, positive approach to team working
• Physically fitness and able to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).
• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
• Willing to undertake work related training as required.
• Full current valid manual UK driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Providing care by routine checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies and assisting the vet, farrier and dentist as required.
• Assisting with the rehabilitation and training of donkeys through the guidance of the supervisor and behaviour team.
• Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Centre Manager on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management, and liaising with other staff to facilitate smooth running of the centre.
• Assisting 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.
• Maintaining up to date manual records for the donkeys and farming practices.

What we offer in return:

Based at The Belfast Centre, Templepatrick, this a full-time permanent contract starting in January 2027, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, with weekend work as part of a rota.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with 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.

Closing date for completedapplications: Thursday 26 November 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and thereforeencourage early applications.

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.