Animal Care Assistant
As a Volunteer Animal Care Assistant at Elysian, you will play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and care of our animals at Elysian. You will work closely with our dedicated team, following the Farm and Animal Guides for the site to provide essential care, monitoring, and maintenance tasks. Your commitment and dedication will contribute to creating a safe and enriching environment for our animals.
Key Responsibilities
Animal Feeding: Prepare and provide appropriate feed and water to the animals based on their specific dietary requirements outlined in the Farm and Animal Guides. Ensure that the animals have access to clean water at all times.
Animal Health Checks: Observe the animals closely for any signs of illness, injury, or distress. Report any concerns to the staff and assist in monitoring and documenting the health status of the animals according to established protocols.
Animal Housing and Cleanliness: Assist in maintaining clean and safe animal housing areas. This includes regular cleaning of enclosures, stalls, and surrounding areas, ensuring proper waste management, and following hygiene practices to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
Animal Enrichment: Assist in providing enrichment activities for the animals to promote physical and mental stimulation. This may include preparing and placing toys, puzzles, or other suitable enrichment items as directed by the animal care staff.
Animal Handling: Follow established protocols and guidelines for safe and appropriate animal handling. This may include assisting with the restraint, grooming, or basic training of the animals under the supervision and/or guidance of the animal care staff.
Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of animal care activities, including feeding schedules, health checks, and any observations or incidents. Submit the records to the designated animal care staff for review and documentation purposes.
Safety and Compliance: Adhere to all safety procedures and guidelines to ensure a safe working environment for both animals and volunteers. Comply with Elysian's policies and protocols related to animal care, welfare, and health and safety.
Qualifications and Skills
- Passion for animal welfare and a genuine interest in caring for animals.
- Ability to follow instructions and work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Reliable, punctual, and committed to fulfilling assigned responsibilities.
- Good observational skills with the ability to recognize and report any changes in animal behaviour or health.
- Physical fitness and ability to perform tasks that may involve lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods.
- Ability to handle animals with care and sensitivity, following appropriate handling protocols.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact respectfully and professionally with staff, fellow volunteers, and visitors.
Requirements
- Willingness to undergo any necessary training and orientation related to animal care and site-specific procedures.
- Compliance with Elysian's policies and procedures, including the completion of necessary forms and agreements.
- Availability to commit to a regular schedule and maintain punctuality and reliability.
Please note that this volunteer position may involve working outdoors in various weather conditions and may require flexibility in terms of assigned tasks and working hours.
If you are passionate about animal care and eager to contribute to the well-being of our animals at Elysian, we invite you to join our team as a Volunteer Animal Care Assistants, please complete the relevant form on our website at https://elysianuk.org/volunteer-with-us/. Your dedication and commitment will make a significant difference in providing a nurturing and safe environment for our animals.
Elysian is committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people, and for that reason all posts are subject to rigorous vetting checks
