The RSPCA is recruiting animal rescue officers in London.
Recruitment drive: the RSPCA is offering jobs on the frontline of its animal welfare service
RSPCA rescuers primarily help animals by investigating reports of cruelty and neglect, and also rescue those who are sick, injured or stranded.
“The animal rescue officer can be hugely rewarding and make a real difference to the well-being of animals and in educating owners who care for them,” says the RSPCA, the country’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity.
RSPCA Superintendent Simon Osborne, said: “This is a difficult job which needs a resilient character but there are also many magical moments, such as removing animals from a situation where they are suffering and seeing them heal, physically and mentally.
“Releasing wildlife is always a joy, untangling a fox that gets caught in goal netting is one example. Helping an owner by giving advice or assistance where a person is struggling is also rewarding.
“Often by helping an individual you can rectify an issue to improve animal welfare. You also have the opportunity to carry out media interviews and to work with other teams in the RSPCA to play your part in helping to raise awareness of wider welfare issues.”
The RSPCA is also looking to fill ARO roles in other areas, so there are also opportunities to work elsewhere in the country.
The training for Animal Rescue Officers is as unique as the job – you may be working at height or in confined spaces, on water or alongside towpaths, and successful applicants will be asked to do a swimming assessment early in their training.
“It is a physically demanding job, but the RSPCA is hoping to attract applicants from all walks of life as it takes all types of people to reflect the communities they serve.”
The RSPCA says that job applications are “actively encouraged” from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, race, faith, sexual orientation, parental or relationship status.
Just as important as physical fitness is psychological and emotional strength. As well as coping with distressing, disturbing and heartbreaking situations involving animals, candidates need strong people and communication skills as well as empathy to handle difficult, extremely emotional and sometimes confrontational situations.
“Everyone at the RSPCA is expected to live by its core values – compassion, commitment, integrity, expertise and being an inspiration.”
Successful candidates will spend a year training.
To apply please visit the RSPCA’s website by clicking here. The closing date for applications is February 6.
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