Trainee Senior Cattery Assistant - Apprenticeship

THE MEWS BOARDING CATTERY (OVINGTON) LTD

ALRESFORD (SO24 0HZ)

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 14 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 31 July 2025

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Summary

Love cats? We need an energetic, self-motivated person for our team. We look after a maximum of 40 cats at any one time in DEFRA approved accommodation. We can offer you a job where you will receive full on-the-job training, full support from our team. The right candidate may receive an enhanced rate of pay over the National Minimum Wage threshold.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

For the right candidate we are happy to pay an enhanced hour wage, above the National Minimum Wage, and this will be discussed with you on application.

Training course
Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
Hours
We are a 24/7 service and need a team here every day (Monday to Sunday and Bank Holidays). Working days are flexible and Bank Holidays are rota’d fairly. You will work a mixture of morning shifts (8;30 12-30) and afternoon shifts (4:00- 6:30pm).

25 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 2 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

The average day at The Mews includes:

  • Feeding, cleaning, grooming and playing with the cats.
  • Ensuring daily arrivals and departures are well-organised.
  • Keeping the environment clean and welcoming to guests.
  • Keeping written notes regarding the cats in your care.
  • Discussions with the team to keep them updated on any issues.
  • Welcoming Clients and relating to them and their concerns.

Each day is different as the cats are all individual.

Where you'll work

PARK LODGE
OVINGTON
ALRESFORD
SO24 0HZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

THE COLLEGE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LIMITED

Training course

Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

  • We can offer you a comprehensive insight into cat care through our in-house training program, which could lead you towards a qualification in Animal Care and Welfare Assistant
    Level 2.
  • You will receive a years’ experience of all aspects of cat care and well-being along with some business insights.
  • Training is in-house and is practical and ongoing.
  • The training includes Bio security, Animal health, both physical and emotional, administering prescribed medications including injections, along with an understanding of good nutrition.
  • Later we can involve you in aspects of the administrative side of the business, from bookings to invoicing, from receiving and recording payments and basic accounts.
  • If you like the sound of this, please apply promptly, and we can arrange for you to meet our gorgeous guests and amazing work colleagues.

More training information

  • The job entails all aspects of cat care from feeding, cleaning, grooming and play through to administering prescribed medications.
  • Gaining knowledge of cat nutrition.
  • Business training: using IT for bookings accounts and emails.
  • Interfacing with clients in person or telephone.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade A*-C or 9-4)
  • Mathematics (grade A*-C or 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Friendly
  • Colloborative
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Must love cats!
  • Ability to work on own

Other requirements

A good work ethic and flexibility are essential. Being calm and patient and understanding the cat in your care is of far more importance than other qualifications.

About this employer

We look after cats left in our care whilst their owners are away or unable to do so for a while, ensuring they have the best of attention for their physical and emotional needs within a calm and hygienic environment. We are a 24/7 - 365 day a year service provider. We work weekends and Bank Holidays on a flexible rota. We work in all weathers and it can be physically demanding at times. Cats, by their very nature, are unpredictable and react in different ways. Awareness of how to deal with this is included in our training programme. We are in a fairly remote location with no access to public transport. It is therefore essential that you have access to your own form of transport.

Company benefits

• Paid leave. • Uniform. • Free onsite parking. • Free refreshments. • A dedicated HR Employee Assistance Programme which has a confidential help line open 24/7 for medical, legal and personal problems. • Team building days and social events.

After this apprenticeship

  • A successful apprenticeship could lead to Level 3 Animal Management or a full-time permanent position with us.
  • This will give a good grounding for moving on to a higher qualification in Animal Management and also enhance any future employment opportunities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE COLLEGE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LIMITED

Justin Groves

jgroves@caw.ac.uk

01480 422060

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000334811.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 14 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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