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. 

We have an excellent opportunity for a Veterinary Department Groom to join our team at Hannigans farm. You will provide a high standard of care for hospitalised patients in our hospital boxes and animals in our new arrivals' unit. To maintain stables, paddocks and outside areas, all in accordance with the Care and Welfare Code of Practice and to provide data input support for the veterinary admin team. 

About you: 

• Substantial experience of working with equines; 

• Experience of working with risk assessments in relation to safe working practices; 

• Physical fitness and the ability to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg); 

• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions; 

• Understanding of biosecurity and infection control measures; 

• Full valid driving licence 

• Trailer licence category BE (desirable) 

• Previous experience working with a veterinary team (desirable) 

About the role: 

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –  

• Provide care of hospitalised animals including daily mucking out, feeding, grooming and foot care. 

• Organise routine farrier and dentist care if required during a period of hospitalisation. 

• Maintain hospital records alongside the hospital nurse. 

• Monitor the behaviour and clinical signs of hospitalised animals and report any concerns to the hospital nurse or case vet. 

• Maintain the hospital stables, knockdown box, clinical examination and outside areas,  sweeping, cleaning and pressure washing. 

• Pasture management. 

• Ensure adequate supply of feed and bedding available. 

• Implement and provide grooming and behaviour plans tailored to individual patients 

• Provision of appropriate enrichment for hospitalised patients 

• Assist vets, nurses, equine behaviourist, farrier and dentist. 

What we offer in return: 

This is a full-time, fixed-term contract starting as soon as possible, until 31 December 2026, working 39 hours per week. The working pattern will be agreed between the Line Manager and post-holder, but flexibility will be required for weekend working. 

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: Monday 19 January 2026. 

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, and may be Garda vetted where required for the post. The Donkey Sanctuary is an equal opportunities employer.

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.