Animal Care Assistant – Small Animal 

Animal Care Vets, Douglas, Co Cork 

Part-time, Permanent 

Salary €14.15 per hour 

Do you dream of making a real difference in the lives of animals?  

If you love working with animals, enjoy being hands-on, and take pride in supporting others, this is a role where you’ll truly make a difference every day. Animal Care Vets is looking for a caring and dependable Animal Care Assistant to join our friendly, close-knit team in a well-established, community-focused practice.  

This is a practical, people-and-pets role where your contribution matters. You’ll be right at the centre of the practice, helping to ensure our patients are comfortable, our clinical areas run smoothly, and our team is supported throughout the day.  

The Role & Working Pattern  

This is a part-time, permanent position, working between the hours of 8am-7pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am-2:30pm Saturday and Sunday cattery checks. Shifts are flexible and rota-based within clinic opening hours, with no out-of-hours work. Weekend shifts are shared fairly across the team (typically 1 in 3), helping to maintain a healthy and sustainable work–life balance. 

What You’ll Be Doing  

As an Animal Care Assistant, you’ll play a key role in the daily care and wellbeing of our patients. Your work will include assisting with the handling and care of inpatients, feeding, walking and monitoring animals, and supporting vets and nurses during busy clinics. You’ll also help keep clinical areas, kennels and equipment clean and well maintained, ensuring high hygiene and care standards at all times.  

There will also be some reception and general support duties, helping with day-to-day tasks and ensuring clients feel welcomed and supported when they arrive at the practice  

Who We’re Looking For  

We’re looking for an Animal Care Assistant with a QQI level qualification in Animal Care or similar. You must be calm, practical and genuinely passionate about animal welfare. You’ll be reliable, organised, and comfortable working in a busy environment. Previous experience with animals or in a veterinary setting is helpful but not essential - attitude, empathy and teamwork are what matter most. 

Why Join Animal Care? 

Nestled in the heart of Douglas at the Fingerpost, a vibrant suburb of Cork City, our practice is a close-knit team dedicated to delivering exceptional veterinary care with compassion and expertise. We are a dynamic mix of two full-time and two part-time vets—including our experienced Clinical Director—supported by two skilled nurses, a friendly and efficient receptionist, and a proactive practice manager. 

Our clinic combines a warm, personal approach with cutting-edge facilities. We offer a full suite of diagnostic services, including in-house laboratory testing, digital radiography, and tailored pre-anaesthetic blood work to ensure every procedure is as safe as possible. Our dedicated sterile surgical theatre is reserved for advanced surgeries, complemented by a modern prep-room and routine operating facilities. Whether it’s a routine check-up, a complex surgery, or care for a senior pet, we pride ourselves on taking the time to provide thoughtful, tailored treatment for every animal—and a supportive, collaborative environment for every team member. 

Benefits (Subject to Pro Rata) 

We offer a competitive salary along with great benefits (subject to pro rata), including: 

Leave: Annual Leave, Birthday Leave, Paid Maternity, Paternity, Bereavement, & Sick Leave 

Wellbeing: Cycle to Work Scheme, EAP Access, Free Flu Jabs, Discounts (Retail & Virtual Gym), & Access to Company Programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing, etc.) 

Career Development: Career Progression, Leadership Academy, Paid Professional Memberships (VCI & VDS), Annual Pay Reviews 

Financial Support: Employer Pension Contributions, Discounted Staff Pet Veterinary Fees 

Join Our Team 

If you’re looking for a rewarding, hands-on role where you’ll be part of a supportive team and make a real difference to animals and their owners every day, we’d love to hear from you. 

Apply now and take your next step with Animal Care Vets in Cork.