The country’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity is looking for new animal rescue officers across the country – and crucially the charity wants to attract people from a range of backgrounds.
RSPCA rescuers have a unique place in society, cemented during their frontline work through the pandemic, they not only help animals but the people caring for them too.
It’s a challenging role and needs somebody with resilience, who is happy dealing with members of the public in tricky situations as well as a love for animals and a thirst for learning new skills.
RSPCA head of the inspectorate Dermot Murphy said: “As someone who started my career in an entry level role, I know what an exciting opportunity this is for the right candidate.
“This is a demanding job but it can be very very rewarding.
“This year we have broadened our entry requirements, it doesn’t matter to me whether you have a degree or GCSE’s – all that matters is you are willing to work hard, be trustworthy and above all want to make a difference to the lives of animals.
“The RSPCA is approaching its 200th birthday in 2024 and throughout our history times have changed.
“We are still working in communities but we aren’t reflecting those people we are working with and this is why I have made it my mission and the mission of all my staff to ensure we are representative of all communities including all religious backgrounds, ethnically diverse communities, from the LGBTQ+ community and disabled communities.”
Recent RSPCA rescues this year have included an owl stuck in an extractor fan in Yorkshire, a badger asleep in some construction machinery in the West Midlands, several squirrels trapped in bird feeders and a corn snake slithering through toilet plumbing in London.
The training for animal rescue officers is as unique as the job – you can expect to abseil down a mountain, swim 50m fully clothed and carry out water rescue training to become part of this fantastic team.
Animal rescue officers could be called out to all sorts of locations, so applicants must have no fear of heights or cramped spaces and – of course – no allergies to animals.
We realise that our workforce needs to reflect and understand the communities we’re working in, and so we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, race, faith, sexual orientation, parental or relationship status.
Everyone at the RSPCA is expected to live by its core values – compassion, commitment, integrity, expertise and being an inspiration.
Successful candidates will spend a year training, there is a video online of what to expect. To apply please visit the RSPCA website
The RSPCA will be holding two webinars on our work and the work of our Animal Rescue Officers and why we have made it our mission to become a more diverse organisation.
These webinars are open to individuals or organisations from religious communities, ethnically diverse communities, from the LGBTQ+ community and disabled communities and youth leaders.
11 January 2022 5pm https://meet.google.com/ova-rbvk-vdb
13 January 2022 5pm https://meet.google.com/uvp-mbvi-ksr
To register your interest please fill out this form.
We have over 24 roles throughout England and Wales – see details on how to apply from January 10 .
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
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