Animal Care & Digital Support Apprentice
KUGAE Gun Dogs
MARKET RASEN (LN8 5LH)
Closes in 28 days (Saturday 11 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 10 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Join KUGAE Gundogs as a Level 3 Animal Management Apprentice. Gain hands-on experience in kennel operations, animal care, dog training, welfare, and behaviour within a professional working dog environment. You will also support shoots, customer service, social media, and e-commerce while working towards your qualification.
- Wage
-
£14,560 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Animal care and welfare manager (level 3)
- Hours
-
Working hours will be discussed at interview. The role will typically be Monday to Friday; however, flexibility is required as some weekend work will be necessary to support horse care routines, riding lessons and equestrian activities.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 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
- Supporting the day-to-day care and welfare of dogs within the kennels
- Feeding, exercising, grooming, and administering medication where required
- Assisting senior staff during training sessions and setting up equipment
- Providing customer updates through videography and training progress content
- Maintaining high standards of kennel cleanliness and housekeeping
- Supporting social media activity across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram
- Assisting during shoots, events, and working dog activities
- Helping with grounds maintenance and general site upkeep
- Supporting different areas of the business within a hands-on family-run environment
Where you'll work
SOTBY HOUSE
MAIN ROAD
SOTBY
MARKET RASEN
LN8 5LH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE
Training course
Animal care and welfare manager (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Provide care for animals to meet their welfare needs and in accordance with company policy, legal and regulatory obligations.
- Monitor and oversee animal care ensuring the five welfare needs are met and in accordance with company policy, legislation and regulations.
- Evaluate animal behavioural characteristics in order to establish animal care requirements.
- Assess and evaluate animal health using the least invasive methods and use this to inform the care plan.
- Deliver medical and preventative treatments in accordance with company policies and following veterinary advice.
- Handle and move animals using the least invasive, minimally aversive methods suitable for the situation.
- Assess animal weight and carry out body condition scoring.
- Produce care plans to meet the welfare needs of the animal.
- Implement animal socialisation strategies to ensure animal health and welfare is maintained.
- Select sustainable accommodation solutions that ensure the welfare, safety and security of animals.
- Manage biosecurity risks by ensuring disinfecting, cleaning and waste disposal in line with company procedures and legislation.
- Complete health and safety risk assessments.
- Monitor compliance with risk assessments and provide feedback to support the development of health and safety policies.
- Resolve customer complaints.
- Collaborate with colleagues, supply chains and customers.
- Supervise the day to day running of the business (including the allocation of resources, ordering stock and scheduling workload).
- Keep up to date with advances in animal care working practices and technologies and identify opportunities for these to be applied.
- Monitor the health and safety of animals and people in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Support and mentor colleagues and provide constructive feedback.
- Seek feedback and identify personal development needs. Undertake and apply learning from relevant continual professional development.
- Provide operational information to inform team goals and objective setting.
- Monitor progress towards the achievement of team goals and objectives.
- Assimilate information to make changes to the animal care provision.
- Provide care for animals to meet their welfare needs and in accordance with company policy, legal and regulatory obligations.
- Monitor and oversee animal care ensuring the five welfare needs are met and in accordance with company policy, legislation and regulations.
- Evaluate animal behavioural characteristics in order to establish animal care requirements.
- Assess and evaluate animal health using the least invasive methods and use this to inform the care plan.
- Deliver medical and preventative treatments in accordance with company policies and following veterinary advice.
- Handle and move animals using the least invasive, minimally aversive methods suitable for the situation.
- Assess animal weight and carry out body condition scoring.
- Produce care plans to meet the welfare needs of the animal.
- Implement animal socialisation strategies to ensure animal health and welfare is maintained.
- Select sustainable accommodation solutions that ensure the welfare, safety and security of animals.
- Manage biosecurity risks by ensuring disinfecting, cleaning and waste disposal in line with company procedures and legislation.
- Complete health and safety risk assessments.
- Monitor compliance with risk assessments and provide feedback to support the development of health and safety policies.
- Resolve customer complaints.
- Collaborate with colleagues, supply chains and customers.
- Supervise the day to day running of the business (including the allocation of resources, ordering stock and scheduling workload).
- Keep up to date with advances in animal care working practices and technologies and identify opportunities for these to be applied.
- Monitor the health and safety of animals and people in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Support and mentor colleagues and provide constructive feedback.
- Seek feedback and identify personal development needs. Undertake and apply learning from relevant continual professional development.
- Provide operational information to inform team goals and objective setting.
- Monitor progress towards the achievement of team goals and objectives.
- Assimilate information to make changes to the animal care provision.
Training schedule
The apprentice will attend college one day per week and spend four days in the workplace, gaining practical experience while developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for the Level 3 Animal Management Apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
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
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Digital Content Experience
Other requirements
- Early mornings and some weekend working will be required
- Confidence around animals and working dogs is essential
- This is a hands-on role within a fast-paced working environment
- Working outdoors in all weather conditions throughout the year, including cold and wet weather
- Due to the rural location, a driving licence and access to transport are preferred
- Applicants should be eager, passionate, and willing to learn about the industry
- An interest in social media, e-commerce, and modern digital business activity would be an advantage
About this employer
KUGAE Gundogs is a Lincolnshire-based business specialising in gundog and obedience training, kennel services, and country pursuit experiences. The business offers puppy, beginner, and advanced gundog training, alongside boarding and behavioural support in a professional rural setting.
Hosting shoots, simulated game days, and field sport experiences, while operating a retail side selling gundog equipment, country clothing, and field sports accessories
KUGAE Gundogs is a passionate family-run business, working with us offers a varied and hands-on role where no two days are the same.
You will work alongside an experienced team with a vast amount of industry knowledge to share, supporting you to develop your skills, confidence, and career within the animal management sector. As a growing and expanding business, KUGAE is committed to investing in staff development, helping team members upskill and progress alongside the company while continuing to adapt to modern industry needs, social media trends, and evolving business demands.
http://www.kugaegundogs.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Standard holiday entitlement and sick pay
Uniform and footwear provided
Opportunity to work within a professional working dog and country pursuits environment
Support and mentoring from an experienced family-run team
After this apprenticeship
Expected career progression includes the opportunity for a full-time role upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, alongside further training and development opportunities to complement the role and support future progression within the business.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE
Jade Bishop
apprenticeshipenquiries@bishopburton.ac.uk
01964553056
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000036471.
Apply now
Closes in 28 days (Saturday 11 July 2026 at 11:59pm)