Animal Care Assistant - Gloucester, United Kingdom - The Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home

Description

Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home

Role profile - Animal Care Assistant

Introduction

As a leading animal rescue charity in the Cotswolds we care for hundreds of abandoned, abused and neglected animals each year. Our job is to make sure our animals are cared for by providing them with a safe space, access to veterinary treatment and exemplar welfare. Lastly, we carefully match them to a new family to assure they find their forever home.

In addition to our rehoming centre, we also run a once weekly low-cost veterinary clinic, for individuals on means tested benefits. These clinics impact on our local community by ensuring no animal is left to suffer because of the cost of treatment.
Our vision and aspiration for the centre is that it is exemplar. Our ambition is that no abused, neglected or vulnerable animal in our community is without a safe space.

We are looking to develop our team of enthusiastic, committed, caring and aspirational people who are passionate about animal welfare, the environment in which it is provided and being a part of the team which deliver it.

Our Animal Care Assistants will be highly motivated and passionate about animal care, you will be responsible the daily animal welfare function with a focus on providing exceptional service to both our four legged and two legged friends.

As an important member of the operational team, the post-holder will be dedicated to the optimum welfare of animals in our care.

Key Objectives & Responsibilities

This role will be responsible for the day to day care and welfare of animals in our new animal centre.

The Animal Care Assistant will be responsible for delivering the highest possible standards of animal welfare and care for every animal in their journey through CDCH, from reception, to assessment and then to rehoming.

The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring that every animal experience optimum care during its time with CDCH. Our ambition is that no abused, neglected or vulnerable animal in our community is without a safe space. We aim to ensure a future where animals can enjoy a life free from distress. We are committed to rehoming as many animals as possible in the most caring and conscientious way.

• Responsible for the optimum physical and emotional care of all animals cared for at the centre.
• Ensuring an outstanding service to animals, adopters and visitors.
• Responsible for the daily functioning of the kennels, cattery and small animal sections providing exemplary standards of welfare for all the animals in our care.
• Ensure compliance with our licencing conditions and all legal and health and safety regulations.
• Ensuring the exemplary standards of welfare of animals during handling and transportation.
• Contribute to regular team discussions of animal cases regarding their health, welfare, emotional and physical wellbeing and readiness for rehoming.
• Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and cleaning in the animal sections and contribute to the general upkeep and care of the centre environment as a great place for animals and staff to be.
• Ensure accurate, detailed records are kept for each animal's overall care, including health checks, feeding, temperature, medication, handling, intake and adoption.
• Maximise rehoming by positively promoting the animals and CDCH.
• Assist the rehoming team to appropriately match animals and their potential adopters by providing accurate and relevant information and advice.
• Ensure that animals are prepared for adoption in accordance with centre procedures including health checks, vaccination, neutering, micro chipping and any other treatments required.
• Be a handson member of the frontline staff team providing exemplary care for the animals and excellent customer relations.
• Support the Senior Animal Care Assistants and Veterinary Surgeon in checking the health and administering the medication to animals in the centre.
• Carrying out timely cleaning, feeding, watering, exercise and contact with the animals.
• Be part of a team that builds and sustains a positive, dynamic, cando culture making the home a great place to work and spend time.
• Attend regular team meetings to maintain effective communication and awareness of progress and developments in all areas of the centre.
• Provide meal break, holiday and sickness cover for colleagues as required.
• To undertake other tasks as directed by line manager.

Person Specification - Qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge
We are seeking Animal Care Assistants who can deliver operational excellence. You will have absolute dedication to the welfare of animals.


Essential

• Selfmotivated with huge amounts of energy, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm.
• Experience working within animal welfare, rescue and rehoming.
• Experience of delivering high standards of animal care.
• Experience of being a member of a high performing team.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relati