Animal Care Assistant

Hours:

Full-Time (37.5 hours per week) on a rota basis

Closing Date: 06/09/2026

Animal Care Assistant
Location
:
Exeter, Devon
Working Hours
:
Full-Time (37.5 hours per week) on a rota basis
Salary: £13.23 per hour
Reports to
:
Shelter Management Team

About Little Valley Animal Shelter

Little Valley Animal Shelter is an independent, self-funded branch of the RSPCA. It forms the Devon Branch and is located just outside the city of Exeter. Little Valley is dedicated to providing a compassionate environment and appropriate rehabilitation for animals in need until they are ready to be adopted. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of welfare and ensuring our Shelter is a welcoming and supportive environment for both animals and staff.

We have around 50 members of staff working in various roles across the organisation, from animal care staff, and admin support, to charity shop managers and online retail. We also have over 100 volunteers who work with us both at the Little Valley Shelter and in our shops.

Devon RSPCA has existed for over 180 years supporting animals in need and has been based at Little Valley since 1990. We continue to grow and expand our services, facilities, and animal welfare initiatives in line with the growing demand across the Devon community.

To provide outstanding customer service to our supporters and potential adopters, and as well as high standards of daily care and welfare for animals housed at Little Valley Animal Shelter, ensuring their physical and emotional wellbeing while supporting their timely rehabilitation and rehoming. The post holder will work with a variety of species including small mammals (ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents, etc.),

birds, cats, and dogs, and will work with volunteers at the Shelter.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Carry out daily cleaning, feeding, and enrichment routines, adhering to any training and behaviour plans for all animals in your care, maintaining excellent hygiene and welfare standards across all areas of the Shelter.
• Monitor animal health and behaviour, promptly reporting any concerns or changes to the duty manager.
• Assist with the safe handling and basic grooming of animals across all species cared for at the shelter.
• Support veterinary visits, treatments, and administer any medication as directed.
• Ensure accurate and timely record keeping, including completion of daily activity logs and health/behaviour observations.
• Engage positively with prospective adopters, volunteers, and members of the public, providing information and assistance as needed.
• Participate in training, staff meetings, and general Shelter duties including laundry, cleaning equipment, and maintaining stock levels.
• Participate in promotional activities for the Shelter, including events support and media promotion of our work.
• Adhere to all Shelter Standard Operating Procedures, including health and safety, and biosecurity protocols to ensure a safe and professional working environment.
• Support colleagues and volunteers, promoting a culture of compassion, teamwork, and respect for all animals and people.
• To maintain branch confidentiality and observe all GDPR requirements relating to information accessed for the above duties.
• Assist in reception duties from time to time as may be required.
• To work on a rota basis which will include covering some weekends and bank holidays
• Any other reasonable duties that the work of the Shelter may require from time to time as directed by the management team.
• To embody the values of Little Valley and broader RSPCA.

• Demonstrable experience caring for animals in a professional, structured, or formal voluntary setting.
• Working knowledge of the husbandry and confident handling of a range of species, including a variety of dog breeds.
• Have held a full, clean, manual UK driving licence for at least 2 years.
• Experience of working in customer facing environments, and able to demonstrate exemplary customer service skills.
• Compassionate and patient approach to animals.
• Ability to follow routines and maintain high welfare and cleanliness standards.
• A professional approach with strong teamwork skills and a positive,…