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Animal Care Assistant

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Animal care assistants look after the animals in their care by making sure they are kept clean, comfortable, exercised and fed. They look after animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs or birds.

They are also known as animal boarding assistants or kennel or cattery workers. They may also work in rescue centres helping rehome animals.

The Work

You could be:

Pay

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

Pay rates for new entrants to the job of animal care assistant vary. Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).

As of 1 April 2024 the National Minimum Wage is £6.40 an hour for workers under 18, £8.60 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £11.44 an hour.

Pay rises with experience, and some employers may pay higher rates.

Salaries for animal care assistants in the SSPCA are between £17,000 and £24,000 a year. A dog care and welfare assistant with Guide Dogs earns around £19,000 to £21,500.

Conditions

Workforce Employment Status

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Useful Subjects

Getting In

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

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Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland
2024
5631
3.9 %
RISE
2029
5852
  United Kingdom
2024
78625
5 %
RISE
2029
82535

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What Does it Take?

You need to be able to:

You should also be:

Training

Getting On

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

College of Animal Welfare
Tel: 01480 422060
E-mail: admin@caw.ac.uk
Website: http://www.caw.ac.uk/
Twitter: @CAWInfo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAWInfo

The College of Animal Welfare specialises in veterinary nursing and animal care training. It operates from seven UK training centres, including the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School of Edinburgh University.

Lantra Scotland
Tel: 024 7669 6996
E-mail: scotland@lantra.co.uk
Website: https://www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/
Twitter: @LantraScotland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lantrascotland/

Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector.

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