Job Title: Animal Welfare Manager
Location: Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter (Onsite)
Hours: Full‑time 40 hours per week, Rota basis (working hours 8-5pm) with alternating weekends.
Reports to: Operations Shelter Manager
About us,
Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter is an ADCH‑registered independent charity committed to providing high standards of care, rehabilitation and rehoming services for dogs and cats. We strive to improve animal welfare through compassionate care & dedication to all animals that come through our shelter gates, we take pride in providing education, and community engagement through our onsite Charity shop & in house fundraising events.
Purpose of the Role
The Animal Welfare Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily welfare, health, and wellbeing of animals in the shelter, leading and developing a team of Animal Welfare Assistants, ensuring compliance with ADCH standards, and supporting the Operations Shelter Manager in strategic and operational delivery.
Key Responsibilities
· Supervise, support a team of Animal Welfare Assistants, and a large Volunteer team during the day to day running of the shelter.
· Foster a positive working environment focused on teamwork, excellent animal care & welfare
· Identify development/training needs amongst the team to the OSM
· Deliver or coordinate training in animal welfare, health & safety, animal handling
· Competency and experience in working with Behaviour and training plans
· Ensure all animals receive high standards of care: feeding, cleaning, enrichment, exercise, vet care, and socialisation.
· Oversee the health monitoring of animals planning weekly health checks & liaise with our partnered vet practice to schedule and lead weekly clinics onsite & deliver Animals for their operations at the external vet practice.
· Maintain flea and worm diaries and enter data onto our in house database
· Maintain and implement behaviour assessment and enrichment programmes; monitor welfare indicators, reduce stress, manage behaviour issues.
· Follow and adhere to ADCH standards, and internal policies & procedures created and managed by the OSM.
· Regularly review and update welfare protocols, alongside the Operations Shelter Manager
· Ensure that the shelter's facilities are maintained in compliance with hygiene, safety, and maintenance standards.
· Assist Operations Shelter Manager with strategic planning for animal intake, capacity management, and resource allocation.
· Oversee daily operations of the Kennels and Cattery with admissions, adoptions & isolation, with cleaning schedules, & updating record-keeping.
· Enforce health & safety practices for staff, volunteers, visitors, and animals.
· Ensure correct use, maintenance and storage of tools, equipment, cleaning agents, PPE.
· Conduct regular stocktakes of equipment & report issues to OSM
· Manage stock control & ensure we are being cost effect
· Support shelter operations in sourcing grants or donations for welfare improvements when applicable.
· Report to the Operations Shelter Manager on welfare performance, challenges, incidents, for all dogs and cats.
· Create and write Animal Website profiles alongside the OSM for all animals adoption profiles on our website database
· Liaise with our Vet partner, behaviourists, foster carers, & volunteers.
· Engage with members of the public, our potential adopters, and external agencies in a way that reflects the charity's values and mission.
Person Specification
Proven charity experience or a background in a Animal Welfare setting, ideally a Rescue rehoming sector.
Experience managing a small team with strong leadership, and positivity
Qualifications in animal behaviour or welfare (e.g. Diplomas (Level 3) or relevant degrees etc)
Knowledge of relevant Animal legislation
Proven understanding of animal health, welfare assessment, disease control, behaviour & enrichment
Experience working with external partners, volunteers and fundraising (desirable)
Strong organisational skills; able to prioritise, respond to emergencies
Familiarity with Animal Database systems, google sheets, and Microsoft teams
Excellent interpersonal skills; strong communicator; able to handle difficult situations & experiences of treating animals with compassion
Clean driving licence (Essential)
Salary:
Contract Type: Permanent
Holiday Entitlement: 28 days (will involve working bank holidays)
Salary: £28,000
Other Benefits: Employee Assistance line, Bright HR & Health & safety, Ongoing training & support, Team lunch once a month, Uniform,
There may be times when you will be required to take on other tasks, due to the nature of the shelter environment.
How to Apply:
Instructions: Please send an up to date CV alongside a covering letter explaining why you would be the best fit for the role to Amie our Operations Shelter Manager on -
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Store discount
Application question(s):
* Do you hold a full UK driving licence?
* What is your current employment notice period?
Work Location: In person