Apprentice Animal Care Assistant

ST GILES ANIMAL CENTRE LIMITED

TAUNTON (TA3 6DJ)

Closes on Sunday 30 November 2025

Posted on 7 October 2025

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Summary

St. Giles Animal Centre are looking for 1 apprentice to join the team as an animal care site apprentice, there will be experience days in other departments on site including vets and day care which will give you lots of different opportunities to learn all there is about working in animal care.

Wage

£12,563.20 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
3 weekdays and Every other Saturday and Sunday. Days and shifts to be confirmed.

32 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 December 2025

Duration

1 year

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

Animal Care Assistant tasks;

  • Day to day care of animals on site including dogs, cats, small animals 
  • Cleaning of accommodation
  • Grooming
  • Feeding
  • Exercise
  • Administering medication if required
  • Ensuring animal welfare needs are met on a daily basis
  • Ensuring animals receive appropriate enrichment for their specific needs
  • Exercising dogs via walking & use of outside exercise areas
  • Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness & hygiene on site, to the animal accommodation, food preparation, laundry, store areas, staff & volunteer facilities
  • Ensure buildings/exercise areas are always secure
  • Carrying out health checks on animals and reporting any concerns & feedback to the team
  • Assisting with Behaviour Plans by observing behavioural changes & recording & reporting to the Senior animal handler.
  • Assisting with carrying out on-going assessments for animals at the Centre under the direction of the senior animal handler & management team
  • Working alongside Volunteers and Work Experience students
  • Keeping animal records accurate in files & systems
  • Working to Centre protocols to maintain high standards of presentation throughout the centre
  • Being responsible for their own health and safety
  • To undertake any other duties required by the Management team

Where you'll work

NEWPORT ROAD
WRANTAGE
TAUNTON
TA3 6DJ

Training

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

Training provider

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

  • You will be working towards the Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant apprenticeship
  • All training will be provided on site during your paid working hours
  • Your day to day mentoring will be with your employer, and a combination of online and in person monthly sessions will be held with your Haddon Training Trainer Coach

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 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
  • IT skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

About this employer

St. Giles Animal Care Centre is a family run business that includes a large rehoming centre funded by the centre, St Giles Animal Rescue and the RSPCA. The centre also provides a range of services to pet owners such as Pet Boarding, Veterinary Clinic, Animal Therapies, Doggie Day Care, Dog Training, Grooming and Individual Pet Cremations.

https://stgilesanimalcentre.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • For the right candidate there could be the opportunity to progress into permanent roles within the centre

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Enquiries@haddontraining.co.uk

01443749000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000257267.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 30 November 2025

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