We are looking for an Animal Care Assistants to join us at our Southridge Animal Centre. Southridge occupies a 22-acre site that nestles in the bottom of a small valley surrounded by the lush green Hertfordshire countryside. Our facilities enable us to take in many different species of rescued animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, farm animals, equines, and wildlife, so at any one time we could be caring for over 250 animals. Animals are treated with respect, tenderness and love, and both their physical and mental needs are met to help them learn to trust again. You can find out more about the work we do at the centre by visiting our social media pages: RSPCA Southridge Facebook RSPCA Southridge Instagram Working hours: 35 per week, consisting of 7.5 hour shifts on a roster, including every other weekend and some bank holidays. Are you ready to be part of our journey and make a difference? This is an exciting and challenging opportunity at the largest animal welfare charity in the UK as an Animal Care Assistant. Our Animal Care Assistants are responsible for the care and rehabilitation of animals who have been rescued from cruelty, abuse and neglect. You'll start your day cleaning the animals' accommodation,as well as feeding and watering them, and then start the daily exercise routine. It can be physically hard, but also very rewarding and satisfying work knowing the animals are comfortable and happy when you are finished. Our Animal Care Assistants ensure the highest standards of welfare, and will monitor and report on animal behaviour, wellbeing and health. You will also administer medication or treatment prescribed by a Vet, and implement behaviour modification programmes with guidance from our Behaviour and Welfare Advisors and the wider team. Once the animals in our care are ready for their forever home, you will be involved in the adoption process, helping to find the perfect matched home for the animal you look after. You'll also meet with potential adopters to provide post-adoption advice and support. Join our dedicated team for this amazing and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to an animal's life This is an exciting and challenging opportunity at the largest animal welfare charity in the UK as an Animal Care Assistant. Our Animal Care Assistants are responsible for the care and rehabilitation of animals who have been rescued from cruelty, abuse and neglect. You'll start your day cleaning the animals' accommodation,as well as feeding and watering them, and then start the daily exercise routine. It can be physically hard, but also very rewarding and satisfying work knowing the animals are comfortable and happy when you are finished. Our Animal Care Assistants ensure the highest standards of welfare, and will monitor and report on animal behaviour, wellbeing and health. You will also administer medication or treatment prescribed by a Vet, and implement behaviour modification programmes with guidance from our Behaviour and Welfare Advisors and the wider team. Once the animals in our care are ready for their forever home, you will be involved in the adoption process, helping to find the perfect matched home for the animal you look after. You'll also meet with potential adopters to provide post-adoption advice and support. Join our dedicated team for this amazing and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to an animal's life Experience working with animals, ideally in a Kennel or Cattery environment, either through paid or voluntary work (not including your own pets). Resilience - many of the animals in our care have been victims of neglect and/or abuse and cruelty. A strong desire to help our rescued animals have a future. Willing to undertake practical work outdoors in all weather (subject to reasonable adjustments if required). Excellent communication and team working skills - you'll be working with colleagues across the RSPCA, volunteers and members of the public. Able to multitask and work under pressure - working with animals can be busy and unpredictable Comfortable with using IT - you'll be keeping computerised records on the animals under your care. Hold a full manual driving licence, subject to reasonable adjustments. Southridge is located in a rural area with limited public transport, especially on Sundays, and Animal Care Assistants are sometimes asked to drive RSPCA vehicles to undertake aspects of the role, for example Vet visits. Experience working with animals, ideally in a Kennel or Cattery environment, either through paid or voluntary work (not including your own pets). Resilience - many of the animals in our care have been victims of neglect and/or abuse and cruelty. A strong desire to help our rescued animals have a future. Willing to undertake practical work outdoors in all weather (subject to reasonable adjustments if required). Excellent communication and team working skills - you'll be working with colleagues across the RSPCA, volunteers and members of the public. Able to multitask and work under pressure - working with animals can be busy and unpredictable Comfortable with using IT - you'll be keeping computerised records on the animals under your care. Hold a full manual driving licence, subject to reasonable adjustments. Southridge is located in a rural area with limited public transport, especially on Sundays, and Animal Care Assistants are sometimes asked to drive RSPCA vehicles to undertake aspects of the role, for example Vet visits. Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date. We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed to our mission. For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteamrspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685. Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect