Apprentice Animal Welfare Assistant

WORCESTERSHIRE ANIMAL RESCUE SHELTER

MALVERN (WR13 5BD)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 20 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 6 March 2026

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Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for as an Apprentice Animal
Welfare Assistant within our busy independent shelter, working
directly with the dogs and cats that come through our shelter
gates. You would be part of a dedicated passionate team
rescuing rehabilitating and rehoming dogs and cats that need a
second chance.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
Hours
40 hour working week with alternating weekends. Working hours of 8.00am - 5.00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 March 2026

Duration

1 year 3 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

  • Feeding dogs and cats in care, following diet plans
  • Administering and recording medication
  • Daily cleaning of kennels and the cattery of spot cleaning and a
    weekly deep clean of all facilities
  • Record keeping of the animals in care
  • Walking dogs of varied sizes, breeds, temperaments and
    backgrounds
  • Temperament testing animals prior to them going up for rehoming to the public
  • Cat and kitten socialisation and development
  • Following behaviour plans for animals in care when necessary
  • General husbandry and duties around site
  • Occasional reception cover during lunch hours or absences
  • Following an animal through their journey from relinquishment to
    adoption
  • Dealing with the public in house and externally via telephone and
    email regarding rehoming enquiries and adoptions
  • Competently using our in house database for record keeping and
    animal care
  • Taking part with in house fundraising events and being part of a team helping to raise money for our vital work

Where you'll work

Worcs Animal Rescue Shelter
Hawthorn Lane
Newland
MALVERN
WR13 5BD

Training

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

Training provider

WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE

Training course

Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

  • Pet first aid
  • Shadowing and coaching from an experienced team member
  • In house training for Fire safety, manual handling, and Health & Safety
  • Ongoing in house training for dog and cat behaviour, and dog attack training

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (grade 3/D)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

We are all weather site, so there is a lot of outdoor work in all weathers. A good level of physical fitness is desired.

About this employer

Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter opens its doors to abandoned, unwanted and mistreated animals in need of urgent care. Our main aims are to give shelter, medical treatment and care, and, of course, to rehome cats, dogs and ex-battery hens.

The Shelter is run by a dedicated team of staff and enthusiastic volunteers wanting to ease the distress of animals that, through no fault of their own, are abandoned, unwanted or mistreated.

Our enclosed site has beautiful views of the Malvern Hills, and is set up with kennels for up to twenty six dogs and a cattery containing twelve pens.

The staff and their team of volunteers ensure all dogs and cats are given individual attention with plenty of exercise and training, as well as love and attention.

https://www.wars.org.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

This would all depend on circumstances of the shelter and
staffing in house, but this apprentice could set someone up for a
chance to apply for further education or enable them to get into
the industry with great experience in a busy charity setting.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000016934.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 20 March 2026 at 11:59pm)