Job Title: Animal Carer
Organisation Overview: The Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity based in South Cornwall, UK. Founded in 1995, our sanctuary site now provides a safe home for life to over 100 donkeys, horses and ponies, all of whom have been rescued from situations of abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Job Summary: We are seeking a compassionate, hard-working individual to join our team in providing care for the rescued donkeys and horses at our sanctuary. This is a full-time, permanent role , requiring a dedicated team player who understands and can work with Flicka’s mission and values.
Required skills and experience:
- Candidates must have experience working with animals - preferably in a sanctuary setting.
- A strong interest in animal welfare
- A good understanding of what rescue centre work entails. The care and welfare of the animals is of the utmost importance.
- A full driving licence.
- A flexible approach to work, with a willingness to work around priorities as they happen.
- Self-motivated, with a readiness to learn and show initiative.
Desirable skills and experience:
- Experience caring for, or working with, donkeys.
- Customer service skills, for interacting with sanctuary visitors.
- Public speaking experience.
- Strong and effective communication skills.
Main Responsibilities:
- Daily tasks to include; mucking out, feeding, removal of droppings from paddocks and leading animals to and from fields at the start and end of the day.
- Assisting with the preparation and distribution of medications and special feeds.
- Assisting with Vet, Farrier and Dentist visits.
- Identifying and quickly reporting problems or illnesses to the Animal Care Manager.
- Moving utility trucks and large farm machinery around the site. (training provided)
- Training, coordinating and supervising volunteers on tasks and protocols that are essential to the day to day running of the sanctuary.
- General up-keep of yard and animal areas - identifying maintenance requirements and reporting to the Estates Manager.
- Assist with stock take of medications, hay, straw and equine feeds as and when necessary.
- Familiarity and compliance with all health and safety protocols.
- You will be expected to learn to distinguish individual animals, become knowledgeable about their backgrounds and show a sensitivity to their needs.
Other responsibilities:
The sanctuary is usually open to visitors year-round. You will be expected to demonstrate the confidence and willingness to informally greet and chat with visitors about the animals and Flicka’s work, as well leading educational talks and tours for larger groups.
You will also:
- Be occasionally asked to assist with other tasks as and when needed, such as; site maintenance, admin and general duties.
- Be required to transport rescued equines to the sanctuary, veterinary hospital or foster homes.
- Help the team to organise and run fundraising ‘Open Days’ at the sanctuary.
- Be expected to develop and maintain good communication with all team members and Directors.
- Show that you can be flexible and adaptable in your work and able to prioritise according to tasks you have been given (with animal care being the most important).
- Be expected to work five full days a week on a seven day rolling rota. Due to the nature of the work this will include weekend days every week to ensure consistency and high-quality care of the animals.
Responsible for: The day to day husbandry and care of donkeys, ponies and horses; Volunteers; Work Experience students.
Responsible to: Animal Care Manager; Operations Manager; Directors
You will have an allowance of 28 days annual leave per year; this includes bank holidays. Applicants must be UK or EU residents or have permission to work in the UK.
Please note that this role is physically demanding and therefore candidates must be fit for the work.
Applications: Please email applications to the Operations Manager, Terri Mitchell, at [email protected] with a cover letter and a copy of your CV. Due to the number of applications we receive we can only respond if you have been selected for interview. You will be contacted within 1 week of your application. This is a new position, please do not re apply if you have applied in the past 3 months. Thank you.
The Flicka Foundation
Penty Noweth Farm
Trenoweth Lane
Mabe Burnthouse
Penryn
TR10 9JB
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to £12.90 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
