Animal Care Assistant - Merton role at Blue Cross UK
Application Deadline: 14 January 2026
Department: Veterinary Services
Location: Merton animal hospital, London SW19 1BD
Compensation: £26,872 / year
Contract: Permanent, full time
Salary: £26,872 plus £3,954 London Weighting Allowance per annum
Closing date: 14th January 2026
Interview date: 20th and 21st January 2026
About the role
Since June 1999, we've been a cornerstone of the Merton community, delivering veterinary services to approximately 6,000 unique pets every year. From routine procedures like neutering to intricate surgeries and advanced diagnostics, our hospital offers a comprehensive range of treatments.
As an Animal Care Assistant, you have a key role in our fast‑paced hospitals, providing a high standard of care to the pets and supporting their owners. You’ll deliver the highest level of animal care and customer service with empathy and a non‑judgmental mindset in all situations.
Each day you will provide care to the pets, including cleaning, feeding, exercising, grooming, laundry and administering treatment. You will also work at the reception, handling customers face to face, answering the phone, using the computer, dispensing medication and taking payments.
Your duties include managing the laboratory during your shifts: processing and documenting all samples, running blood tests on in‑house lab machines, staining and preparing microscope slides, performing urine testing, preparing samples for external analysis and maintaining accurate records.
You will work closely with our vets, nurses, the wider team and members of the public. This full‑time role involves 42 hours a week with a one‑hour paid lunch break on a rota that includes weekends and public holidays. Due to the nature of the work, you may need to exceed these hours when the workload demands.
About you
Our ideal candidate has previous experience in a veterinary support role, such as a vet practice or kennel setting. Practical animal handling skills and confidence in both animal‑facing and customer‑facing environments are expected, though not essential.
Lab experience, especially in urinalysis and use of a centrifuge, is advantageous.
Excellent communication skills are required to interact with senior vets, members of the public and your team. You should be able to keep calm under pressure and re‑prioritise tasks in an emotionally challenging environment.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
* Experience working or volunteering in a veterinary practice or a similar role
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* IT literate with MS Office and web‑based databases and platforms
Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:
* Experience in a reception or client care role
* Qualification in Animal Care or a related field
* Ability to observe changes in animals' health and wellbeing
* Ability to interact face to face with clients and visitors and communicate effectively with a range of people
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date. The vacancy may be closed early if an overwhelming response is received.
Blue Cross benefits
Our generous benefits package includes:
* Full‑time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including bank holidays)
* Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
* Free access to GP via MetLife – 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
* Health cash plan
* Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
* Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
* Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support
* Life assurance
* 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
* Enhanced family friendly policies
* Recognition scheme
* Annual volunteer days
* Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Non‑profit Organizations
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