Animal Rescue Officer – Various Locations (England & Wales)

Join the RSPCA and be the change in an animal’s life.

For 200 years, the RSPCA has been a powerful voice for animals. As part of our frontline team, Animal Rescue Officers (AROs) respond to reports of cruelty, neglect and injury—making a real impact through rescue, education, and community support.

This is your chance to turn your passion into a purposeful career.

About the Role

As an ARO, you will:

• Respond to reports of animal cruelty, injury, or neglect.
• Provide advice and intervention while working with people and animals.
• Operate independently across diverse and often challenging environments.
• Make quick, informed decisions and handle sensitive situations with empathy.

Physical demands: The role includes lifting animals and equipment, working at heights, in confined spaces, and near water. Full training is provided.

Available Locations

You must already live in one of the listed areas or postcode zones to be eligible.

Applications from outside these locations, including those wishing to relocate, cannot be considered.

Current Openings

• Burton-on-Trent & Lichfield
  Postcodes: DE13, WS13, WS14
• Cumbria (Penrith, Carlisle & surrounding areas)
  Postcodes: CA1–CA28, LA1–LA23
• Huddersfield, Bradford, Halifax & surrounding areas
  Postcodes: HD1–HD8, BD1–BD20, HX1–HX6
• Mansfield, Nottingham, Grantham & surrounding areas
  Postcodes: NG1–NG25 (excluding NG10 1–5, NG16 4, NG19 8, NG20 8)
• Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool & surrounding areas
  Postcodes: TS1–TS29, DL1–DL5, DL14–DL17
• Preston, Chorley, Bury, Bolton, Wigan, Leigh & Skelmersdale
  Postcodes: PR5, PR7, all BL and WN
• Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull, Dudley
• Clevedon, Weston-Super-Mare and Winscombe
  Postcodes: BS21–BS26, BS29, BS49
• High Wycombe, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Chesham and Amersham
  Postcodes: HP1–HP6
• Ipswich, Stowmarket and Sudbury
  Postcodes: IP1–IP6, IP7–IP9, IP14, CO10 0, CO10 2, CO10 5, CO10 9
• Norwich and Diss
  Postcodes: NR1–NR5, IP22
• Pontypridd, Tonypandy, Ynysybwl, Caerphilly, Crumlin, Newbridge and Abercarn
• Basingstoke and Tadley
  Postcodes: RG21–RG26
• Greater London
  Postcodes:
  • East London: E1–E20, EC1–EC4, IG1–IG8, IG11
  • North London: N1–N22, EN1–EN5
  • West London: W1–W14, WC1X 0 & 9, UB1–UB10, HA1–HA9, NW1–NW11
  • South London: SE1–SE28, CR0–CR9 (excluding CR7), BR (all), DA1, DA5–DA8, DA14–DA18
• Salisbury, Amesbury and Tidworth
  Postcodes: SP1, SP2, SP4, SP9

What You'll Need

• A full manual UK driving licence with recent driving experience.
• GCSE English Language Grade C/4 or equivalent.
• Ability to swim 50m fully clothed within 2.5 minutes (assessed during training).
• Strong communication skills, empathy, and emotional resilience.
• Must be 18 years old by 10 November 2025, and available for a 20-week intensive training course with no leave during that time.
• Willingness to work independently in varied environments and on flexible shifts, including weekends.

Additional Information

• Shifts vary between 8am–9pm.
• Pre-employment checks include DBS, social media screening, medical, swim and driving assessments.
• You must already have the legal right to work in the UK. We are not able to sponsor visas.

Commitment to Inclusion

The RSPCA is actively seeking to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, particularly from underrepresented groups including minority ethnic communities and people with disabilities.

If you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact:
resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk | 0300 123 0685

Make a lasting impact – apply today and help us change animals' lives for the better.

Important Application Information

Clicking the Apply button on the DJM site will redirect you to the RSPCA Careers page. To ensure your application is successfully processed, please apply directly through the relevant job posting on the RSPCA website.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the job location carefully and submit your application for the position that best matches your preferences and qualifications.

Alternatively, you can click on the hyperlinks for each respective location provided in the advert to go directly to the correct job listing.