Animal care assistants are responsible for looking after animals in a variety of settings, such as animal shelters, kennels, veterinary practices, and rescue centres. Their tasks can involve feeding, cleaning, exercising, and grooming animals, as well as assisting veterinarians and other staff with medical care and treatments. The job can be physically demanding and sometimes emotionally challenging, especially when dealing with sick or abandoned animals, but it is also highly rewarding for those who are passionate about animal welfare. To become an animal care assistant, you do not always need formal qualifications, although courses in animal care or animal management can be helpful. Employers usually look for candidates who are compassionate, reliable, and able to work well as part of a team. Opportunities to progress include further training to become a veterinary nurse or animal welfare officer.
Animal care assistants in the UK typically earn between £18,000 and £21,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
There were approximately 41,000 people employed in animal care and related services in the UK in 2023.
Most animal care assistants work 35 to 40 hours per week, often including weekends and bank holidays.
Support veterinary nurses and surgeons in animal clinics or hospitals by caring for animals, preparing them for treatment, and assisting with basic medical procedures.
Work in animal shelters, helping to feed, clean, and care for rescued animals, as well as assisting with rehoming and adoption processes.
Supervise and care for dogs in a day care setting, ensuring they are exercised, fed, and socialised in a safe environment.
Start by volunteering at local animal shelters, kennels, or wildlife centres to gain hands-on experience.
Volunteering helps you understand the needs and behaviours of different animals and gives you practical experience that employers value. Many organisations welcome volunteers for tasks like cleaning, feeding, and exercising animals. This is also an opportunity to confirm your interest in working with animals daily.
Take entry-level courses in animal care or animal management to build foundational knowledge.
Look for short courses or diplomas at colleges or through online providers. Popular qualifications include Level 1 or 2 Certificates in Animal Care, which cover topics such as animal handling, health, and welfare. These courses can be completed alongside volunteering or school studies.
Look for job openings in veterinary practices, rescue centres, or animal boarding facilities.
Entry-level positions may be advertised as Animal Care Assistant, Kennel Assistant, or Animal Attendant. Prepare a CV highlighting your volunteer experience and any relevant qualifications. Employers value enthusiasm, reliability, and a genuine interest in animal welfare.
Be ready to discuss your experience and demonstrate a caring, responsible attitude.
Interviewers may ask how you would handle challenging situations, such as nervous or aggressive animals, and how you manage cleaning or feeding routines. Practise answers that show your commitment to animal wellbeing and your ability to follow instructions carefully.
Consider studying for higher-level diplomas or apprenticeships to expand your knowledge and skills.
Level 3 Diplomas in Animal Care or Animal Management, or apprenticeships, can lead to more senior roles or specialisation, such as veterinary nursing or animal behaviour. Many employers support ongoing training for dedicated staff.
Broaden your skills by working with a variety of animals and organisations.
Experience in different environments, such as zoos, animal sanctuaries, or veterinary clinics, can help you discover which area suits you best. It also makes you more versatile and appealing to future employers.
Veterinary nurses work alongside vets to provide nursing care for sick and injured animals, assist during operations, and educate pet owners.
Dog groomers clean, trim, and style dogs' coats, as well as check for signs of illness and provide advice on pet care.
Animal welfare officers investigate reports of animal cruelty or neglect, enforce animal welfare laws, and educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Animal Care Assistant. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
An Animal Care Assistant typically works closely with animals, providing daily care, feeding, and wellbeing checks, similar to the responsibilities of an Animal care worker. Both roles require compassion, attention to detail, and basic animal health knowledge to ensure the animals' needs are met.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course in animal care to get some of the skills and knowledge needed in this job, for example:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship, such as:
These take between 1 and 2 years to complete, and combine work-based training with classroom study.
You'll usually need:
Volunteering is a good way to get experience of working with animals before you start looking for a job.
You can search for volunteering opportunities on sites like:
Some of the bigger national animal charities that take volunteers, include:
You may be able to find more animal welfare charities in your local area by searching online.
You could apply directly for jobs. You may not need formal qualifications to start but it it will help if you've got some experience of working with animals.
For pet shop assistant roles, a background in retail or customer service could be useful.
Make sure to check online courses carefully. You may need to be working or volunteering with an organisation in order to complete the practical experience and assessment requirements of a course.
You can find out more about careers in animal care from:
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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