Animal Care Assistant

We are looking for a new Animal Care Assistant to work as part of the team at the RSPCA Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre near Colwyn Bay, North Wales.

Our centre is situated in the countryside with lovely sea views and surrounded by open fields and woodland, which provide a wonderful location for the rehabilitation of the animals.

The centre has 30 kennels, 36 cat pens, 18 rabbit pods and 4 ferret pods, as well as room for small animals, farm animals and wildlife.

Caring for such a vast variety of animals means that staff have to be knowledgeable, as they never know if a tiny mouse or a chicken will be the next visitor through the door!

Working hours: 35 hours per week. Shifts are between 8.00am to 4.00pm including some weekends and bank holidays.

Interview date: interviews are expected to be held on 9th May.

Are you ready to be part of our journey and make a difference?

What a day might look like for you

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 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.


• 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. The Bryn-Y-Maen is located in a rural area with limited public transport, and Animal Care Assistants are sometimes asked to drive RSPCA vehicles to undertake aspects of the role, for example Vet visits.


• Work shifts including some weekends and bank holidays.