Rehoming Groom

We have an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated, flexible and compassionate individual, with strong teamworking, interpersonal and equine skills to join our dedicated Rehoming Centre, at Ivybridge.

Job Title: Rehoming Groom

Location: Ivybridge

Hour: Part time

Salary: £15,210 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Tuesday 27^th October 2026

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 self-motivated, flexible and compassionate individual, with strong teamworking, interpersonal and equine skills to join our dedicated Rehoming Centre, at Ivybridge. As Rehoming Centre Groom, you will provide care, behaviour training and handling to our resident donkeys being prepared for our rehoming scheme, enabling individual donkeys to move into a loving Guardian home where they can benefit from one-to-one care and attention.

About you:

• Previous equine experience or experience of animal husbandry.
• Able to demonstrate a collaborative, positive approach to team working.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
• Willing to commit to regular ongoing work-related training.
• UK full valid driving licence.
• Tractor experience/licence (desirable).

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Providing daily care to our resident donkeys, including checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing and worming.
• Working alongside internal & external equine professionals such as Vets, Dentists and Farriers, as required.
• Helping to rehabilitate and train donkeys through the guidance of the Manager and behaviour team by providing a regular training plan to suit the individual needs of donkeys for rehoming.
• Supporting with welfare support when required, collaborating with the wider Equine Operations department.
• Assisting with all aspects of offsite visits, including the loading, unloading and supervision of the donkeys during transport.
• Providing additional donkey care by operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, paddock maintenance, feeding and bedding up of barns and distributing straw and haylage.

What we offer in return:

Based at The Donkey Sanctuary Rehoming Centre, Ivybridge, this is a part-time permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 22.5 hours a week - Monday to Friday
8:00am to 4:30pm (flexible on which days) Flexibility will be required for evening checks and weekend working as part of a rota. 

Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 27 October 2026.

Please note: Interviews will be held at our Ivybridge Centre on Tuesday 3 November 2026.

Benefits: 

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga 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.

Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 27th October 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.  #INDNFP