Animal Care Assistant - Kennels - RSPCA Isle of Wight

Job Posted: 21 April 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Rookley, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full time
• Salary: £24,785 (up to £27,000 if an appropriate level 4 qualification held)
• Industries: Miscellaneous Charity / Voluntary Veterinary

We have a vacancy for an Animal Care Assistant - Kennels at the Island Animal Centre, near Rookley.

The RSPCA cares for some of the Island's most vulnerable animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, small animals and wildlife. We also run busy commercial boarding business looking after cats and dogs while their owners are on holiday. Following recent expansion, we're looking for an additional member of staff primarily to support our rehoming and boarding kennels.

We're interested in hearing from applicants with a range of animal-care experience, but particularly with dogs. 

Job Role

Attending to the needs of the animals in our care, including enrichment activities, grooming, and the administration of medications.

Regular walks and exercising 

Cleaning all areas of the centre, including animal accommodation, isolation, and exercise areas; food preparation, laundry, and storage facilities to maintain to a high standard of cleanliness.

Welcoming boarding customers, and managing their check-in and check-out.

Carrying out routine health checks on animals, looking for signs of infection or abnormality. Working with our visiting vets, and taking animals off-site for veterinary treatments where required.

Providing training and support to the team of volunteers who work at the Island Animal Centre.

Working with the general public to rehome animals, including meeting potential adopters, assessing their suitability and providing post-adoption advice.

Working Hours

The post is for 7 days per week - 37.5 hours each week. Our team work on a 3-week rota, which includes weekend working.

Job requirements

Essential: A passion for caring for animals is essential, together with a commitment to working in the charity sector, and upholding the values of the RSPCA.

Essential: Applicants must have professional experience of animal care

Essential: Animal Management Level 2 diploma or equivalent animal related qualification.

Essential: Confidence and experience of handling a range of dogs.

Desirable: The role may include taking animals to the vets. A driving licence is therefore desirable.

Desirable: Our team work flexibly across the centre, so experience of working with other animals is desirable.

Desirable: A Level 4 Dog Training qualification approved by the ABTC. A successful candidate with this qualification would take a wider role undertaking behaviour assessments and creating training plans, and be eligible for the higher salary.