Scottish SPCA Inspector

Scottish SPCA inspectors are concerned with the welfare of animals. They carry out inspections, investigate complaints about the possible ill-treatment of animals and deal with calls about trapped or suffering wild animals.

The Work

You could be:

• inspecting farms, stables, slaughterhouses, pet shops, zoos or kennels to make sure animals are well looked after


• attending cattle markets or race meetings to see that animals are treated well


• investigating and reporting calls from the public about animals at risk and deciding whether to take action


• trying to reach out to an animal in distress – a dog in a house, a horse in a stable, a cat up a chimney, a deer caught in a fence, a beached whale


• getting help from vets, police, fire brigade or coastguards to treat or rescue animals


• taking badly treated animals to places where they can be cared for or arranging for an animal to be put down


• advising an owner suspected of cruelty and warning of possible legal action


• looking out for illegal ‘sports’ such as badger baiting or dog fighting


• reporting cruelty to the police and giving evidence in court.

Conditions

• In addition to your basic hours, you may work shifts or be expected to work some evenings and weekends and be on call for emergencies.


• You would have to travel on a regular basis to respond to call-outs and to make inspections. This might be over quite a wide area.


• Much of the work might be outdoors, and the working conditions can be cold, wet, dirty, smelly or dangerous.


• It can be upsetting working with sick, injured and badly treated animals.


• There can be a risk of attack from sick, injured, nervous or aggressive animals.


• You may have to face threatening behaviour from the owners of abused animals.


• You would wear a uniform and further protective clothing where required.


• In some cases you might have to live in a house that goes with the job.


• You must be willing to work anywhere in Scotland as a probationary inspector.

Getting In

• Entry can be very competitive. There are around 400 applications for every post advertised.


• You need at least 5 Standard grades including English and also, ideally, a qualification in animal husbandry or science.


• You must have previous practical experience with large and small animals, preferably from a farm or veterinary background.


• You need a full, clean driving licence.


• You must be fit as you may have to control large, frightened animals.


• Successful applicants will need to pass a medical examination and are advised to have an anti-tetanus vaccination.


• You must have an Enhanced Disclosure Scotland check to work in schools giving talks on animal care.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

• confident when working with animals, both large and small


• able to deal with distressing situations and very unpleasant sights and not be squeamish


• decisive and able to take control in an emergency


• assertive but tactful when speaking to owners


• able to deal with a wide range of people


• courageous in possibly dangerous situations


• able to work alone with no supervision.

• a real understanding of suffering animals and a desire to help them


• sound judgement and the ability to show initiative


• good communication skills.

Training

• You would follow an initial six month training period. You could then be posted anywhere in Scotland. At the end of this time, you would take a written examination.


• You would take the intermediate examination two years later and an advanced examination after a further two years.


• Training includes criminal law, animal welfare legislation, animal handling and animal rescue.

Getting On

• With experience you may be able to gain promotion to senior inspector, chief inspector, deputy chief superintendent and chief superintendent.


• You may have to move to different parts of the country to gain promotion.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the demand for the job.

More Information

The Scottish SPCA is the largest animal charity in Scotland. It employs:

• 50 inspectors


• a team of ambulance drivers and auxiliary inspectors


• staff at 9 animal welfare centres, to look after badly treated or lost pets while they wait for new homes, a wildlife rescue centre and an oiled bird cleaning unit


• staff at 1 quarantine centre, to care for animals from abroad.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.