Veterinary Surgeon

The Donkey Sanctuary

East Devon

On-site

AUD 88,000 - 100,000

Full time

10 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life Assurance

Annual leave 31 days

Wellbeing program

Pilates and Yoga

Long service awards

Free parking

Onsite canteen

Job summary

The Donkey Sanctuary in Honiton, United Kingdom, seeks a Veterinary Surgeon to join our Equine Operations team on a full-time permanent basis. You will provide routine and emergency clinical care to donkeys on site and contribute to education, research, and welfare initiatives.

Applicants should hold a veterinary degree with MRCVS and have experience in equine practice, with a welfare-focused mindset and a UK driving licence. The role includes a comprehensive benefits package and an on-call rota.

Qualifications

Veterinary degree with MRCVS is required.
Experience in equine practice is essential.
A welfare-driven attitude to veterinary medicine is required.
Knowledge of herd health programmes is advantageous.
UK full current valid driving licence is required.
Commitment to ongoing professional development is expected.

Responsibilities

Undertaking routine and emergency clinical care of donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Monitor health and advise on management of animals.
Support diagnostic work up and treatment of complex cases.
Maintain effective communication within Veterinary Department and Welfare team.
Visit holding bases, DAA centres, and sanctuaries in the UK/Europe for welfare assessments.
Provide education on donkey health to vets, students and owners.
Assist in training visitors to the Veterinary Department.

Skills

Equine practice

Welfare focus

Herd health

Driving licence

Education

Veterinary degree with MRCVS

Job description

Job Title

Veterinary Surgeon (2286)

Salary

£46,337 - £53,049 dependant on experience.

Location

Honiton, United Kingdom

Area

Equine Operations

Vacancy Type

Permanent

Full or Part Time

Full Time

Organisation

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.

This Role Offers

A truly varied workload, encompassing routine and emergency clinical work alongside veterinary education, research, equine welfare, and behaviour.
Exceptional clinical support, with a strong focus on professional development and clinical governance.
Collaborative working across multiple departments and disciplines to improve the lives of donkeys every day.
Excellent hospital facilities, including a surgical theatre and designated dental and clinical examination areas complete with stocks, as well as intensive care facilities.
An onsite Veterinary and Pathology Laboratory, equipped with PCR, haematology and biochemistry analysis, FWEC analysis, and post-mortem examination facilities.

About You

Veterinary degree with MRCVS.
Experience in equine practice.
An interest in all aspects of Donkey medicine.
A welfare driven attitude to veterinary medicine.
Knowledge of herd health programmes.
UK full current valid driving licence.

About The Role

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

Undertaking routine and emergency clinical care of animals resident at The Donkey Sanctuary (within the Guidelines to Professional conduct as issued by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, including CPD of 35 hours per year.
Monitoring the health and advising on the management of animals resident at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Supporting the diagnostic work up and treatment of more complex clinical cases.
Maintaining effective communication within the Veterinary Department, Welfare team, holding bases and Donkey Assisted Activities Centres in relation to donkey health and welfare.
Visiting and assessing the health and welfare of donkeys in holding bases, DAA centres, hospice homes and sanctuaries in the UK and Europe.
Providing advice and education on donkey health and welfare to Vets, paraprofessionals, students and owners.
Supporting and assisting in the training of visitors to the Veterinary Department.

The Contract

This is a full time, permanent contract to start as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, core hours 08.30 – 16.30, Monday – Friday plus evening and weekend on-call duties as part of the on-call duty rota.

Benefits

Competitive pension.
Life assurance.
31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service. Pro rata for part time working.
Wellbeing team.
Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
Long service awards.
Free parking.
Subsidised restaurant and shop on main site.

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.

Closing date for completed applications

Thursday 10 September 2026.

Equality and Diversity

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.

Safeguarding

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.

Additional Safeguarding

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.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

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.

Applicant Guidance

Please note: 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.

Before submitting your application, please ensure you read our candidate journey page, in particular our FAQs section – https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/candidate-journey/

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