PLEASE NOTE THIS JOB IS NOW CLOSING ON SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY DUE TO THE VERY HIGH NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.
Are you passionate about UK wildlife and a mature team player? RSPCA Oak and Furrows is looking for resilient animal carers with strong attention to detail to join our team for the busy summer season. Working to a regular shift pattern (including evenings and weekends) you will undertake an extensive training program giving you the skills and confidence to triage and first aid a range of wildlife and support our experienced animal carers with day to day care and some hand rearing duties.
Every year RSPCA Oak and Furrows supports over 4000 patients, around 1000 of which are orphans, and operate from dawn until dusk to ensure we meet each species’ needs. Day to day you will be working on your feet, engaging in lifting and other manual work to deliver high quality animal care to our wild residence. You will be expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills while you share information objectively with the staff and volunteer team and navigate public interactions with empathy and professionalism. There are three animal care roles available, 30 – 37.5 hours per week on a six month contract.
Application Process:
Please send a cover letter indicating how your skills and experience meet the person specification alongside an up to date CV. Candidates will be shortlisted based on the examples given in the cover letter and CV meeting the job description and person specification.
Pay: £9.50 per hour (to be reviewed in April 2026)
Closing Date: 20/02/23
Interview Week: 27/02/2026
Start Date: ASAP
Job Description
Job Title Animal Carer
Job Purpose
To support RSPCA Oak and Furrows with a range of wildlife care duties including triage and first aid, hand rearing, medication and rehab of a range of UK Wildlife. Working professionally with the public and veterinary partners to deliver care and rehabilitation; keeping the animal’s welfare and return to the wild at the heart of our practise. To adhere to biosecurity measures and deliver the highest standards on the site cleaning schedule.
People responsibilities
Responsible to: Centre Manager
Role Responsibilities
- Undertake feeding and cleaning schedules for animals on site
- Observe and record animal’s eating habits, medical needs and behaviours
- Liase with the public and veterinary practises to ensure wildlife receives appropriate care
- Uphold highest standards of cleaning and record keeping
- Use IT systems to monitor and record animals progress.
- Be available for weekend and evening work
- Be open to opportunities for hand rearing of animals in your home
Personal qualities required
- Enjoys working as part of a team as well as independently and has a flexible and collaborative working style
- Has a positive ‘can do’ attitude
- Is able to communicate effectively and appropriately both verbally and in writing with a wide range of people
- Is able to complete tasks by following instructions or by using own initiative as applicable
- Is honest, understands confidentiality and displays integrity
- Has an interest in UK wildlife, promotion of animal welfare and the environment
- Supportive of the RSPCA and all we stand for both as a local branch and worldwide animal welfare charity
- Empathetic manner with members of the public
- Observant and good attention to detail
Person specification -
Experience / Qualifications
Essential
Animal care/husbandry experience
IT literate
Desirable
Animal welfare qualifications
Knowledge of legislation involving wild animals
Customer relations experience
Clean UK driving licence
Aged 25 or over and able to be insured on RSPCA Oak and Furrows Vehicles
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract
Contract length: 6 months
Salary: £9.50 per hour
Benefits:
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:
- SWINDON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 22/08/2026
Reference ID: ANIMAL CARER
