Job Title: Animal Care Assistant
Location: RSPCA Cornwall Branch
Overview:
As an Animal Care Assistant at RSPCA Cornwall Branch, you will play a vital role in the care and well-being of the animals in our centre. You will work alongside our dedicated team to ensure that all animals receive the love, attention, and support they need during their stay with us. Each day striving to do all that you can to prepare them for a new home.
This role requires compassion, patience, and a strong commitment to animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities:

• Animal Care:
• Provide daily care and attention to animals in the rescue centre, including feeding, watering, enrichment, grooming, and exercising.
• Prepare food and fresh water for the animals in your care and ensure they are fed timely and in line with the dietary requirements of the animal.
• Monitor the health and behaviour of animals, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person- HAO/ CAB or Veterinary Nurse, carrying out regular health checks.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by the veterinary staff and HAO.
• Maintain clean and sanitary living conditions for all animals, including cleaning kennels, cages, and communal areas.
• Provide care for the animals in accordance with RSPCA Cornwall Branch Standard Operating Procedures and health and safety guidelines to ensure welfare standards are consistently met and to ensure the safety of all persons and animals on and off site.
• Fulfill your primary and secondary responsibilities by ensuring the animals have received a full health check as soon as is reasonably possible and 10 day assessments are completed without reasonable delay.
• Ensure medication is stored correctly and administered in line with medical advice and guidance.
• Animal Handling:
• Safely and gently handle animals during feeding, cleaning, enrichment, exercising and medical procedures.
• Assist with the intake and rehoming of animals, including processing paperwork and ensuring proper documentation and handover.
• Provide support during fundraising events and help volunteers and the public interact with animals in a safe and controlled environment.
• Enrichment and Socialisation:
• Develop and implement enrichment activities to promote the physical and mental well-being of animals.
• Follow instruction from CAB and HAO to implement behaviour, training and enrichment plans.
• Socialise animals to improve their adoptability and reduce stress during their stay at the rescue centre.
• Help organise and facilitate playgroups and socialisation sessions for dogs to encourage positive behaviour and healthy interactions including puppies housed at the centre..
• Assist the Adoption and Fostering team and Fundraising Team to promote the animals in your care by providing suitable photo or video content.
• Teamwork and customer care:
• Empower new staff and volunteers to succeed by providing practical training using staff block manuals and branch policies and procedures.
• Contribute to a kind and caring work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
• Show compassion to all stakeholders through professional interactions.
• Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and potential adopters.
• Educate the public about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare issues, and the mission of the branch.
• Assist with answering phone calls, responding to emails, and scheduling appointments as needed.
• Attend at least two fundraising events per year and take part in fundraising activities.
• Facility Maintenance:
• Assist with general maintenance tasks, including cleaning, organising, and restocking supplies. Report any stock issues at the earliest opportunity.
• Help with landscaping and outdoor maintenance to ensure a safe and attractive environment for animals and visitors.
• Report any facility maintenance issues or safety concerns to the HAO.
• Record Keeping:
• Ensure accurate, detailed records are kept for each animal’s overall care, including but not exclusive to:

kennel and cattery pens, daily observations, block diaries, health checks, feeding, temperature, medication and handling.
This job description summarises the main duties and responsibilities of the post; the post holder may be required to undertake other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as required.

Person Specification:

• Previous experience working with animals in a Rehoming centre, veterinary clinic, or similar setting is preferred.
• Knowledge of animal behaviour, health, and basic care practices.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to handle and restrain animals safely and with compassion.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings as needed.
• Physical ability to lift and carry items safely and perform tasks that require bending, stooping, and kneeling.
• Passion for animal welfare and a commitment to the mission of the branch.

• Animal Care:
• Provide daily care and attention to animals in the rescue centre, including feeding, watering, enrichment, grooming, and exercising.
• Prepare food and fresh water for the animals in your care and ensure they are fed timely and in line with the dietary requirements of the animal.
• Monitor the health and behaviour of animals, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person- HAO/ CAB or Veterinary Nurse, carrying out regular health checks.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by the veterinary staff and HAO.
• Maintain clean and sanitary living conditions for all animals, including cleaning kennels, cages, and communal areas.
• Provide care for the animals in accordance with RSPCA Cornwall Branch Standard Operating Procedures and health and safety guidelines to ensure welfare standards are consistently met and to ensure the safety of all persons and animals on and off site.
• Fulfill your primary and secondary responsibilities by ensuring the animals have received a full health check as soon as is reasonably possible and 10 day assessments are completed without reasonable delay.
• Ensure medication is stored correctly and administered in line with medical advice and guidance.
• Animal Handling:
• Safely and gently handle animals during feeding, cleaning, enrichment, exercising and medical procedures.
• Assist with the intake and rehoming of animals, including processing paperwork and ensuring proper documentation and handover.
• Provide support during fundraising events and help volunteers and the public interact with animals in a safe and controlled environment.
• Enrichment and Socialisation:
• Develop and implement enrichment activities to promote the physical and mental well-being of animals.
• Follow instruction from CAB and HAO to implement behaviour, training and enrichment plans.
• Socialise animals to improve their adoptability and reduce stress during their stay at the rescue centre.
• Help organise and facilitate playgroups and socialisation sessions for dogs to encourage positive behaviour and healthy interactions including puppies housed at the centre..
• Assist the Adoption and Fostering team and Fundraising Team to promote the animals in your care by providing suitable photo or video content.
• Teamwork and customer care:
• Empower new staff and volunteers to succeed by providing practical training using staff block manuals and branch policies and procedures.
• Contribute to a kind and caring work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
• Show compassion to all stakeholders through professional interactions.
• Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and potential adopters.
• Educate the public about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare issues, and the mission of the branch.
• Assist with answering phone calls, responding to emails, and scheduling appointments as needed.
• Attend at least two fundraising events per year and take part in fundraising activities.
• Facility Maintenance:
• Assist with general maintenance tasks, including cleaning, organising, and restocking supplies. Report any stock issues at the earliest opportunity.
• Help with landscaping and outdoor maintenance to ensure a safe and attractive environment for animals and visitors.
• Report any facility maintenance issues or safety concerns to the HAO.
• Record Keeping:
• Ensure accurate, detailed records are kept for each animal’s overall care, including but not exclusive to