Dog Welfare Assistant

Have you always had an itch to scratch when it comes to helping dogs? We’re looking for someone with a commitment to animal welfare to join the team in our busy rehoming centre.

Dog Welfare Assistants are responsible for looking after dogs in our care and are the backbone of our centres. We’re looking for someone who can provide our four-legged friends with the highest level of care and enrichment, preparing them for their forever home.

Final date to receive applications: January 02, 2026
Department: Rehoming
Employment Type: Permanent - Part Time
Location: Basildon
Workplace type: Onsite
Compensation: £11,910 per year + benefits

As Dog Welfare Assistant, you’ll:

• provide exemplary daily care for the dogs in our Rehoming Centre, working to Dogs Trust's code of practice and Health and Safety guidelines.
• educate potential new owners and the general public in the care and welfare of their dogs.
• deliver excellent customer service to all visitors to the centre.

Could this be you?

The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with the ability to show empathy to both people and animals. A strong team player, you'll have lots of energy and a positive upbeat attitude. Experienced in working with or handling dogs, you'll be knowledgeable in basic behaviour and health issues and, above all, be committed to the aims and objectives of Dogs Trust.

A full, manual driving licence is also essential, as driving will be a part of the role.

Our rehoming centres house thousands of dogs each year until they can find a loving new home and the success of our centres wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers; there is a real family-community within each of our centres. Come rain or shine, our team are out in all weathers to make sure the dogs have the best possible life.

Dealing with thousands of visitors each month, our rehoming centres are the face of Dogs Trust, and we pride ourselves on our staff providing the very best in customer service.

We love dogs. That’s why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We’ll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1891 and how we’ve grown to become the UK’s leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.

To apply for this position please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you submit a personal statement explaining your interest and suitability for the role.

Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them! At Dogs Trust we value diversity, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission. Our colleague networks give our people a voice, acting as vehicles for real and meaningful change within Dogs Trust.

We truly want to see every candidate shine throughout the entire job application process, interview stages, and during their time with us. If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Feel free to send us an email at  We're here to support you every step of the way.

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