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 a self-motivated and professional RCVS qualified nurse to join our Veterinary Department at our fully equipped veterinary hospital at Brookfield Farm, near Honiton. The veterinary team are responsible for the clinical care of the all our donkeys and mules that are resident on our seven farms within a 30-mile radius of Honiton.

About you:

• RCVS nursing qualification.
• Experienced in delivering a high standard of care.
• General equine experience beneficial
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Competent IT skills.
• Able to make good decisions under pressure and deliver on deadlines.
• Flexible – a true team player.
• Full, valid UK driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Providing nursing care for hospitalised patients.
• Monitoring animals under treatment and liaising with farm staff concerning current health and treatment of donkeys in their care.
• Assisting vets with all medical and surgical procedures, including preparing patients and equipment, calculating drug doses, monitoring anaesthesia and recovery.
• Carrying out medical procedures such as blood samples, dung sampling, IV fluid therapy and treatments as part of herd health
• Taking and processing diagnostic X-rays to comply with Health & Safety regulations.
• Providing nursing care within the Guidelines to Professional Conduct as issued by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, ensuring that the recommended CPD of 45 hours over three years, with an average of 15 hours per year is achieved.
• Uploading in-patient and surgery notes onto the animal management database.

What we offer in return:

This is a full-time, fixed-term contract starting as soon as possible until 2^nd August 2027, working 37.5 hours per week, 08.00-16.30, Monday-Friday, plus evening and weekend work as part of the on-call duty rota.

Benefits:  

• Competitive pension.
• Life assurance.
• 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service. Pro rata.
• Wellbeing team.
• Recorded Pilates classes.
• Long service awards.
• Healthshield plan –
  • 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.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop on main site.

Closing date for completed applications: Monday 3 August 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, 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/