Make a difference every day with PDSA
About Us
Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.
We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.
If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.
About you
We’re looking for an Animal Care Auxiliary to join our dedicated team at PDSA Sunderland. If you have a business mind and a social heart, and want your work to make a real difference, this could be the role for you. You’ll be part of the UK’s leading veterinary charity, helping us care for the sick and injured pets of people in need and playing an important part in delivering our mission through the night.
You’ll be committed to providing a high standard of customer service and clinical care, promoting pet wellbeing and supporting the clinical team. You’ll help look after inpatients overnight by maintaining a clean, safe and hygienic environment, assisting with animal handling and supporting the team with practical tasks. You’ll also spend time on reception when needed, communicating calmly and sympathetically with clients and encouraging appropriate financial contributions to support our work.
Depending on the needs of the hospital, you may be working as part of a small team or on your own at times, so you’ll be reliable, resilient and confident using your initiative, while also knowing when to escalate concerns. You’ll bring good customer service skills, a caring, practical approach and a genuine passion for animal welfare. In return, you’ll join a supportive, purpose-led team and have the chance to make a meaningful impact for pets and owners who really need our help.
Above all, you’ll be passionate about animal welfare and keen to learn, grow and contribute to the valuable work PDSA does in the local community.
About the hospital
PDSA Sunderland is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans.
Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well-equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.
Rewards, support and benefits
We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.
25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays (pro rata).
Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support.
Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
To apply for this role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.
To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country.
