Apprentice Animal Care Assistant

RSPCA

Chester Le Street (DH2 3BF)

Closes in 6 days (Friday 22 May 2026)

Posted on 15 May 2026

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Summary

We are excited to be recruiting for two Animal Care Assistant Apprentices at our Felledge Animal Centre. You'll be joining us as a dedicated team member for the largest animal welfare charity in the UK. You will be attending to the needs of individual animals, including providing exercise/socialisation and grooming, amongst other duties. 

Wage

£19,583.20 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
Hours
35 hours per week with 20% dedicated to your qualification. 2 week rolling rota, working every other weekend (study time cannot be on a weekend). The hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm with a one hour unpaid lunch. It will also involve working bank holidays.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 13 July 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

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

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

  • Cleaning animal accommodation for cats, dogs, rabbits, small animals, poultry & farm animals 
  • Preparing and providing food and water for all animals in the establishment
  • Performing regular health checks on all animals and giving medical treatments as prescribed by the centre
  • Attending to the needs of the individual animals including providing exercise/socialisation and grooming
  • Communicating with the public, representing the RSPCA positively and professionally
  • Completing relevant paperwork

Where you'll work

Felledge Animal Centre
Waldridge Lane, Chester Moor
Chester Le Street
DH2 3BF

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

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. This will take place online or on site at the Animal Centre. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Requirements

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
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Adaptability
  • Practicality

About this employer

The RSPCA is the largest animal welfare charity in England and Wales. It’s an exciting time to join us in the decade of our bicentenary as we focus on our new Strategy to 2030. The RSPCA works 365 days a year, 24 hours a day rescuing all animals of all types from abuse, neglect, and injury.

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

Company benefits

  • 25 days holiday
  • Family friendly policies
  • Pension scheme
  • Healthcare cash plan
  • EAP
  • Occupational sick pay
  • Life assurance
  • Cycle to work and discount schemes

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

We would expect that on completion of your apprenticeship you would become a permanent member of the team, with options to look at various career paths within the RSPCA.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

RSPCA

Lee Harrison

lee.harrison@rspca.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031884.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Friday 22 May 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.