The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

These are exciting times for the charity and for the finance team. We have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and professional team player to join our busy Veterinary team. As an Animal Care assistant you will deliver high-quality care to animals admitted to the veterinary hospital and those on farms throughout County Cork. The role supports veterinary surgeons and nurses with their daily caseload, provides care for hospitalised patients, ensures all animals are treated in accordance with The Donkey Sanctuary's animal welfare ethos, and maintains strict biosecurity protocols.

About you:

 Full valid driving licence.

Experience of delivering a high standard of care in a veterinary setting.

Good communication and IT skills.

Able to perform physically demanding work.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable:

General equine experience.

 About the role:

• Assist veterinary surgeons and nurses during examinations, treatments and procedures.
• Care for and monitor hospitalised patients and farm patients under the care of the veterinary team, reporting any concerns promptly.
• Administer intramuscular, oral and topical medication to hospitalised patients and farm patients under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.
• Prepare clinical areas, equipment and vehicles for veterinary work.
• Clean and maintain stables, treatment areas and equipment in accordance with biosecurity protocols.
• Support the veterinary team with emergencies outside normal working hours when required.
• Handle, store and dispose of dangerous drugs, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and clinical waste in accordance with applicable procedures and COSHH requirements.

 Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

What we offer in return:

Based at Hannigans Veterinary Hospital, Liscarroll, this is a full-time, 12-month term contract starting as soon as possible, working 39 hours per week. The working pattern will be agreed

Benefits:  

• Competitive pension. 
• Life assurance. 
• 20 days holiday per year. This increases by one day each year until a maximum of 25 days is reached. There is an additional 10 public holidays 
• Wellbeing team. 
• Recorded Pilates classes. 
• Long service awards. 
• Healthshield plan, including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets, access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service. 
• Free parking. 

Closing date for completed applications: Wednesday 18 November 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

Before submitting your application, please ensure you read our candidate journey page, in particular our FAQs section – https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/candidate-journey/

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.

Before submitting your application, please ensure you read our candidate journey page, in particular our FAQs section – https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/candidate-journey/