Dog Boarding & Daycare Shift Leader
Location: Wags & Whiskers Pet Hotel & Spa, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3QA
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Contract: Permanent
Guaranteed hours: Minimum 25 hours per week, with additional hours potentially available
About the role
Wags & Whiskers Pet Hotel & Spa is a licensed dog boarding and daycare facility based at Brent Farm in Highbridge.
We are recruiting a qualified and dependable Shift Leader to supervise the day-to-day operation of our dog hotel and support our animal-care team.
This is a hands-on position. The successful candidate will be expected to lead staff while also participating fully in dog care, cleaning, feeding, exercise, medication, customer service and administrative duties.
Key responsibilities
Shift leadership
- Coordinate the daily shift and allocate duties to members of the animal-care team.
- Ensure feeding, exercise, medication, cleaning and welfare schedules are completed correctly.
- Monitor staff performance and address operational issues promptly.
- Maintain accurate handovers and report welfare, staffing or maintenance concerns to management.
- Ensure company procedures, licensing conditions and health and safety requirements are followed.
Canine care
- Monitor the health, behaviour and wellbeing of every dog.
- Recognise signs of illness, injury, fear, stress or abnormal behaviour and take appropriate action.
- Safely handle dogs of different breeds, sizes and temperaments, including nervous, strong or reactive dogs.
- Prepare food and follow individual feeding instructions.
- Administer prescribed medication accurately and maintain appropriate records.
- Provide exercise, enrichment and individual attention according to each dog’s needs.
Cleaning and facility standards
- Participate in and coordinate the cleaning and disinfection of boarding suites, exercise areas and shared spaces.
- Deal routinely with urine, faeces, vomit, soiled bedding and laundry.
- Maintain infection-control standards and ensure cleaning procedures are followed.
- Report maintenance issues, safety concerns and stock shortages.
Customer service and administration
- Complete customer check-ins and check-outs.
- Communicate professionally with clients in person, by telephone and by email.
- Maintain accurate customer, vaccination, medication and animal-care records.
- Assist with bookings, payments, invoices and general administration using our management software.
Essential requirements
- An appropriate Level 3 Ofqual-regulated qualification in Animal Care, Animal Management, Veterinary Nursing or a closely related subject.
- Demonstrable professional experience caring for and handling dogs in a boarding, daycare, veterinary, rescue or comparable animal-care environment.
- Previous experience supervising staff, coordinating a team or taking responsibility for the operation of a shift.
- Knowledge of canine welfare and behaviour, including recognising illness, stress, fear and potentially unsafe behaviour.
- Confidence handling unfamiliar dogs of different sizes, breeds and temperaments.
- Strong attendance, punctuality and employment reliability.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Basic computer and administrative skills.
- Full UK driving licence and reliable personal transport.
- Right to work in the United Kingdom.
- Availability for early starts, weekends and bank holidays.
Location and travel
Applicants must be able to travel reliably to TA9 3QA for shifts beginning as early as 6:30 am.
Successful applicants must either:
- already live within approximately 30 minutes of the hotel; or
- have a genuine plan to relocate within that distance before starting work.
Accommodation options can be discussed with candidates who are considering relocation.
Working pattern
The business operates 365 days a year. Shifts may include:
- Morning shifts beginning at 6:30 am
- Afternoon or evening shifts
- Full-day shifts
- Rotational weekends
- Bank holidays shared across the team
Rotas are issued in advance where possible, but flexibility is required because of the nature of animal care.
What we offer
- Permanent contract
- Minimum 25 guaranteed hours per week
- Additional hours may be available
- Company pension, subject to eligibility
- Employee discount
- Free on-site parking
- Training and continuing development
- Potential progression within the business
- Possible rented on-site employee accommodation
Application requirements
Please ensure your application clearly states:
- The complete title and awarding organisation of your Level 3 qualification
- Your professional dog-handling experience
- Your supervisory or leadership experience
- Your current postcode and expected journey time to TA9 3QA
- Your availability for early starts, weekends and bank holidays
Qualification certificates and employment references will be requested before appointment.
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Dog Boarding: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Animal Mgmt/Equivalent Level 3 or above Ofqual Regulated (required)
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
