Animal Welfare Assistant
*A&T Trained Dogs — Heronswood Canine Retreat*
Heronswood Farm, Ashton Road, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ
*Job type:* Zero hours contract
*Pay:* £8.00 – £12.71 per hour, depending on age
*Hours:* Full-time or part-time — you choose. Minimum commitment of 20 hours per week. Shifts fall between 7:30am and 6pm and include weekends and bank holidays on a rota.
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## About us
A&T Trained Dogs is a licensed training, boarding, daycare and grooming centre set in seven acres of Lancashire countryside just outside Lancaster. We have 100 kennels, indoor and outdoor training areas, and a team with over 30 years' experience between them. Alongside boarding and daycare, we train dogs for families and for professional work, including family protection dogs and assistance dogs.
We're looking for Animal Welfare Assistants to join the team looking after the dogs in our care day to day.
## What you'll be doing
- Feeding, watering and monitoring every dog on your section against its individual care plan
- Cleaning and disinfecting kennels, runs, daycare areas and equipment to a high standard
- Exercising and walking dogs on lead, and supervising off-lead and group play
- Watching for signs of illness, injury, stress or changes in behaviour, and reporting them promptly
- Administering medication as instructed and keeping accurate written records
- Handling dogs of all sizes and breeds safely and calmly, including working breeds such as German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois
- Helping with arrivals and departures, and speaking with owners about their dog's stay
- Supporting the training team as needed and keeping the site tidy, safe and secure
## What we're looking for
- Genuine care for animal welfare and the patience to match
- Confident, calm handling of large and powerful dogs (or a real willingness to learn — full training is given)
- Physically fit and happy working outdoors in all weathers; the job involves lifting, bending and being on your feet all day
- Reliable, punctual and able to work early starts, weekends and bank holidays on a rota
- A good team player who can also work sensibly on their own
- Able to follow instructions and written care plans closely, and to keep clear records
- Happy to appear in photos and videos for our social media channels when needed — this is a regular part of how we showcase the dogs and the site
## Useful, but not essential
- Previous kennel, daycare, veterinary practice, rescue or farm experience
- An animal care qualification (Level 2/3 Animal Care or similar)
- Canine first aid
- A full UK driving licence and your own transport — we're in a rural location with limited public transport
## What we offer
- Full training and support from an experienced team
- Full uniform provided, along with all equipment needed for dog handling
- Salary review on successful completion of probation for candidates who show they're the right fit
- A hands-on route into professional dog training and behaviour for the right person
- Staff discounts on our services
- A proper outdoor working environment, not a desk
## How to apply
Apply through Indeed with a short note about your experience with dogs and your availability. We'll invite suitable candidates to visit the site and meet the team and the dogs.
Applicants must be 16 or over.
Pay: £8.00-£12.71 per hour
Expected hours: 25.0 – 45.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
- UK visa sponsorship
Work Location: In person
