The Donkey Sanctuary

Rehoming Centre Groom

Derbyshire

£15.2k/yr

Posted 8 days ago

Early applicant

On-site

Internship

Entry Level

Rehoming Centre Groom (2168)

Apply Now

Salary:

£15,210 per annum

Poscity

Hurdlow

Poscountry

United Kingdom

Area:

Equine Operations

Vacancy Type:

Permanent

Full or Part Time?:

Part Time

Closing Date:

12 May 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 busy team at our Derbyshire Rehoming Centre, located in the beautiful Peak District National Park, near Buxton.. 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.

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 supervisor 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, Derbyshire, this is a part-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 22.5 hours per week, 07.45-16.15, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.

Benefits

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

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

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 12 May 2026.

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/

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.

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.

Documents

JD_EQU_EQU EXP_Rehoming Centre Groom Derbyshire_2025.pdf (60.55 KB) DCES guidance for applicants.pdf (92.34 KB)

Additional Information

Note to Applicants Under 18 Years of Age(pdf) DCES guidance for applicants(pdf) Apply NowCreate Alert Subscription

Close map

Location

Derbyshire Centre

Newton Farm, Hurdlow, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, SK17 9QQ

Loading...

Open In Google Maps

Enlarge Map

Share this page

Skills

Equine Experience

Animal Husbandry

Team Working

Interpersonal Skills

Customer Service

Compassion

Flexibility

Behaviour Training