We have an exciting opportunity for a compassionate, organised person to support our Operations Manager in the smooth running of the Oxfordshire and Reading Branch of the RSPCA.
Job purpose
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Animal Welfare & Rehoming Assistant will support all aspects of running a busy RSPCA branch. This includes dealing with public enquiries, arranging care for rescued dogs, cats and rabbits, assessing potential adopters, and overseeing the process of matching animals with their forever homes.
Key responsibilities
- Monitor the branch inbox and respond to telephone enquiries, escalating matters where appropriate and ensuring timely follow up.
- Maintain accurate records using our dedicated animal shelter software, including updating microchips and registering pet insurance.
- Process rehoming applications and help match animals to potential adopters based on the animal’s personality, history and needs.
- Promote responsible pet ownership by providing clear advice and ensuring potential adopters understand the commitments involved in caring for an animal.
- Conduct and arrange home visits for potential adopters and assess their suitability for animal adoption.
- Communicate outcomes of rehoming applications clearly and sensitively to potential adopters.
- Arrange viewing appointments, process payment of adoption fees, and organise collection to finalise the adoption process.
- Assist with post-homing advice and collect feedback on the process to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Create engaging advertisements for animals in the branch’s care, ensuring they are listed in the most effective places and kept up to date.
- Help ensure rescued animals receive the highest standards of care, including monthly health checks, and support housing and husbandry, especially at our rabbit centre.
- Provide hands-on support at our rabbit rehoming centre in Harwell.
- Attend community and fundraising events, including transporting equipment where required.
- Assist in the co-ordination of volunteers for fundraising events.
- Support media and social media activity, including content, interviews and updates.
- Assist the Operations Manager with any other reasonable tasks that may arise.
Terms
- Location: Hybrid working, with bases in South Oxfordshire (including Wantage and Harwell).
- Salary: £24,000 per annum.
- Hours: 35 hours per week, plus some weekend working.
- Contract: Initially a 12-month contract, with a view to becoming permanent.
- Benefits: Plus staff benefits (details to be discussed at interview).
Skills and experience
- Exceptional administrative and organisational skills, with a keen eye for detail.
- A good level of education, including GCSE Maths and English at grades A–C (or equivalent).
- Strong IT skills, including confident use of Word, Excel and in-house computer systems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also collaborating effectively as part of a team, with good time management.
- Experience of working in an animal-related environment and a good understanding of animal needs (especially dogs, cats and rabbits) would be an advantage.
- An Animal Care qualification would be an advantage.
Other requirements
- Full, clean UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle (essential).
- Applicants should be based within a reasonable commuting distance of Wantage and Harwell.
Please note this is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities of this post. The jobholder may be required to undertake other duties reasonably requested within the scope of the role.
How to apply
Closing date: 13 December 2025
Interviews: January 2026
Please send your CV and a covering letter to:
operationsmanager@rspcaoxford.org.uk
