Canine Care Assistant: Dog Boarding and Daycare

Location: Wags & Whiskers Pet Hotel & Spa, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3QA
Pay: From £12.71 per hour, with a higher starting rate considered for candidates with strong relevant qualifications and professional experience
Contract: Permanent
Guaranteed hours: Minimum 25 hours per week
Work location: In person

About the Role

Wags & Whiskers Pet Hotel & Spa is a licensed five-star dog boarding and daycare facility based at Brent Farm in Highbridge, Somerset.

We are looking for a qualified and dependable Canine Care Assistant to join our team. You will work under the direction of our Shift Leaders and help protect the welfare, safety and comfort of every dog in our care.

This is a physically active, hands-on animal-care position. You will spend a substantial part of each shift cleaning boarding suites, handling soiled bedding, preparing food and caring for dogs of different breeds, sizes and temperaments.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in high care standards, follows instructions accurately and understands that excellent animal care includes thorough cleaning and detailed record-keeping.

Key Responsibilities

Canine Care

• Provide attentive and compassionate care to boarding and daycare dogs.
• Follow each dog’s feeding, exercise, enrichment and medication instructions.
• Ensure every dog has fresh water, suitable food and a clean, comfortable living space.
• Monitor each dog’s health, behaviour and general wellbeing.
• Recognise and promptly report signs of illness, injury, fear, stress or unusual behaviour.
• Safely handle unfamiliar dogs of different breeds, sizes and temperaments.
• Assist with nervous, strong or reactive dogs in line with company procedures.
• Administer prescribed medication when trained and authorised.
• Maintain accurate feeding, exercise, medication and welfare records.

Cleaning and Facility Standards

• Clean and disinfect boarding suites, exercise areas and shared spaces.
• Deal routinely with urine, faeces, vomit, soiled bedding and other animal-related waste.
• Wash, dry, organise and return bedding and towels.
• Follow infection-control procedures, cleaning schedules and product instructions.
• Keep food-preparation, storage and animal-care areas clean and organised.
• Report maintenance problems, damaged equipment and stock shortages promptly.

Team and Operational Support

• Follow instructions and daily task allocations provided by the Shift Leader.
• Work cooperatively with colleagues to complete the daily care schedule.
• Provide clear handovers and report welfare or operational concerns promptly.
• Assist with customer check-ins and check-outs when required.
• Support basic administration, record-keeping and customer communication.
• Follow company policies, health and safety procedures and licensing requirements.

Essential Requirements

• A Level 2 or higher Ofqual-regulated qualification in Animal Care, Animal Management, Veterinary Care Assistance or a closely related subject.
• Practical experience caring for and handling dogs.
• Confidence handling unfamiliar dogs of different breeds and sizes.
• Ability to recognise signs of illness, injury, fear and stress.
• Willingness to undertake all cleaning duties and deal regularly with animal waste and soiled bedding.
• Consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to follow structured procedures and complete records accurately.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team.
• Physical ability to undertake an active role, carry supplies and assist with the safe movement of dogs, with reasonable adjustments considered where appropriate.
• A reliable means of travelling to and from TA9 3QA.
• The right to work in the United Kingdom.
• Availability for early starts, rotational weekends and bank holidays.

Desirable Experience

• Previous work in dog boarding, daycare, kennels, veterinary practice, rescue or another professional animal-care environment.
• Experience handling nervous, strong or reactive dogs.
• Experience administering prescribed animal medication.
• Customer service or reception experience.
• Basic computer, booking-system and administrative skills.

Location and Travel

You must be able to travel reliably to Wags & Whiskers Pet Hotel & Spa, TA9 3QA, for shifts beginning as early as 6:30 am.

If you are planning to relocate to the area, accommodation options can be discussed during the recruitment process.

Working Pattern

Wags & Whiskers operates 365 days a year. Your shifts may include:

• Morning shifts beginning at 6:30 am
• Afternoon shifts ending at 7:00 pm
• Full-day shifts
• Rotational weekends
• Bank holidays shared across the team

We issue rotas in advance wherever possible. You will need some flexibility because of the nature of professional animal care.

What We Offer

• A permanent contract
• At least 25 guaranteed hours per week
• Additional hours according to business needs
• A higher starting rate considered for strong qualifications and relevant professional experience
• Company pension, subject to eligibility
• Employee discount
• Free on-site parking
• Role-specific training and continuing development
• Opportunities to develop and progress within the business
• Potential accommodation options for candidates considering relocation

Application Requirements

Your application must clearly state:

• The complete title and awarding organisation of your animal-care qualification
• Your practical and professional dog-care experience
• Your current postcode and expected journey time to TA9 3QA
• Your availability for early starts, weekends and bank holidays
• Your notice period and earliest possible start date

We will request qualification certificates and employment references before confirming an appointment.

Application Questions

Experience

• Professional dog care: One year preferred

Licence and certification

• Level 2 or higher Ofqual-regulated Animal Care, Animal Management or equivalent qualification: Required

Work authorisation

• United Kingdom: Required

Benefits

• Company pension, subject to eligibility
• Employee discount
• Free on-site parking
• Training and development opportunities