All-round Animal Caretaker

Stichting AAP; Almere; On-site; EUR 28,301 - 36,348; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

24 vacation days per year

Sustainable pension arrangement

Job summary

A European animal welfare organization in Almere is looking for motivated All-round Animal Caretakers. The role includes caring for exotic animals across different teams, involving responsibilities like cleaning, feeding, and monitoring health. Applicants should have an accredited animal-related qualification and experience with captive animals. The position offers an opportunity for professional growth within a supportive environment and includes a salary ranging from €2,536 to €3,257 gross monthly based on experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience working with animals in captivity.
• Prepared to work on weekends and public holidays.
• Ability to adapt to different teams and protocols.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily care, cleaning, and feeding of animals.
• Guide and teach volunteers and students.
• Monitor animal behavior and health.

Skills

Affinity with animal welfare

Good communication skills

Pro-active mindset

Ability to work under stress

Competent in English (B1)

Education

Accredited animal care or animal-related qualification (EQF 3 or higher)

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

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AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection is a European animal welfare organization dedicated to the welfare of exotic animals. It is our mission to end their suffering by rescuing animals in need and advocating for better laws and regulations.

For AAP Almere we are looking for motivated, passionate animal caretakers for 24 to 40 hours per week who will be part of the All-round Caretaker Team (ACT). You will be broadly trained for temporary replacement of colleague animal caretakers in all the different teams – Primates, Quarantine, Mammals, and Chimpanzee. ACT members replace colleagues during absences due to longer illnesses or other leave periods. The All-round Caretaker Team is supervised by the team leader of the Chimpanzee.

The teams are:

• Chimpanzee team (around 9 paid staff) – consists of two sections:
  • A permanent lifetime‑care unit for former laboratory chimpanzees that are infected with HIV, SIV and Hepatitis C. These aging chimpanzees are not sick but potentially infectious and therefore require special care;
  • A chimpanzee resocialization unit, temporary intensive care where newly arrived chimpanzees are rehabilitated and learn to live in a group again. When the chimpanzees live in stable social groups, they will be outplaced to other permanent facilities.
• Primates team (around 12 paid staff) – responsible for the daily care of our macaques, baboons, capuchins, vervets and other species.
• Quarantine team (4 paid staff) – works with a wide range of species and ensures that each animal receives the appropriate care and attention. Quarantine represents the first step in the rehabilitation process for all animals rescued by AAP.
• Mammals team (4 paid staff) – works with a diverse range of exotic mammal species, including rodents, small primates, marsupials, wild felids, and other carnivorous mammals.

What are you going to do?

• The nature of your role is to be broadly trained in the care for all different animal groups at AAP and perform animal care work across multiple teams, even within short periods.
• You are responsible for the daily care of our animals.
• Your job will largely include cleaning, feeding, observing, providing behavioural enrichment and assisting in the rehabilitation of the animals.
• You will be asked to guide and teach a number of volunteers and students.
• You monitor food and water intake and the general behaviour and health of the animals.
• Administrative tasks are part of your daily routine.
• You carry out easy maintenance work according to agreements and instructions.
• You will work closely with other animal caretakers.
• You will work according to standard (safety) procedures, protocols and a hands‑off policy.
• The Team Leader of the department will manage you.

What do we offer?

• An opportunity to develop yourself very broadly in the field of animal care. A position with social value and relevance within an international animal welfare organisation with animals and people at its heart.
• A challenging and dynamic job with a lot of responsibility and development opportunities.
• A professional workplace that encourages and supports dedication, accessibility and vigour.
• An inspiring working environment situated in the green heart of Almere, within easy reach of Amsterdam and Utrecht.
• A contract for 24‑40 hours per week for 12 months with the possibility for a permanent contract after 2 years (and after 2 contracts of 12 months).
• Your salary will be between € 2,536 and € 3,257 gross per month (based on 40 hours per week) dependent on relevant work experience, with room for growth within the function.
• 8 % holiday allowance on the gross annual salary and a personal benefits budget of 2,75 % of your gross salary.
• 24 vacation days per year on a full‑time basis.
• A good and sustainable pension arrangement.

What do you bring?

• Affinity with the goals of AAP.
• An accredited animal care or animal‑related qualification (education level EQF 3 or higher) is required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in working with any of our animal groups in captivity is needed.
• An Article 12 or 13 Certificate (Law concerning Animal Experimentation in the Netherlands), which allows you to work with laboratory animals, is highly appreciated for the work with the ex‑lab chimpanzees.
• Good physical condition and ability to work under stress.
• A pro‑active and flexible mindset and good social/communication skills which allow you to work in different teams (adapting to team ethics, protocols, procedures) and connect with a variety of colleagues quickly.
• You are not afraid of change, an eager and quick learner and are able to adapt to different ways of working and find solutions both independently and in good cooperation.
• Prepared to contribute to the development of this (pilot) initiative.
• Competent in English, both oral and written (English Common European Framework level B1).
• Prepared to work on weekend days and public holidays.
• Capable of working with relevant computer software (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc).
• Competencies for this job: Flexibility, accuracy, collaboration and planning and organisation.

For more information or to apply directly

Enthusiastic, but still have some questions? Please call Pieter Levelink, Team Leader Chimpanzee Complex and supervisor of ACT on [phone]. Please apply by using the application button before 12 January 2026.

A practical assignment can be part of the application process.

Please note that only people with the right to work within Europe will be considered for this application. In addition, the current housing shortage in The Netherlands, requires candidates to be able to provide a residential address where they are or can be officially registered to obtain a BSN number.

AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection) is a European animal welfare organisation dedicated to the welfare of exotic animals. It is our mission to end their suffering by rescuing animals in need and advocating for better laws and regulations.

AAP operates two rescue and rehabilitation facilities, one in Almere (the Netherlands) and one in Villena (Spain). We rescue animals from illegal trade, circuses or private owners and help them recover both mentally and physically. When they are rehabilitated and ready to move on, we find a good place for them with one of our outplacement partners, such as a sanctuary or suitable zoo.

In Almere we have about 100 employees and more than 200 volunteers. We work in a spacious and modern location, in the middle of the green heart of Almere. Our office and facility centre are located on the same grounds as our rescued animals. Nowhere else can you see the result of your work so directly!

In Villena we have 24 employees and 16 volunteers. Our office and facility centre are located on the same grounds as our rescued animals. Nowhere else can you see the result of your work so directly!

Check out our website www.aap.eu and follow our stories on social media!