RSPCA recruiting two animal rescue officers in South Wales
The charity is seeking 'multi-skilled' officers who can respond to challenging situations while also contributing to its evolving mission.
Steve Bennett, chief inspectorate officer at the RSPCA, said: "It's a fantastic job with different, stimulating challenges every day for people with a passion for animals and their welfare.
"There is lots of scope for promotion and career progression and these new recruits will have the opportunity to go right to the top.
"They will also have the chance to branch out in different directions and specialise in diverse animal work, be it with dogs, cats, equines, exotics and much more."
The RSPCA is looking for applicants who combine empathy with resilience and a strong commitment to animal welfare.
Applicants must be aged 18 or over by the start of the course, hold a full manual driving licence, and have a GCSE-level 2 qualification in English.
A four-month training course will begin in April 2026.
Applicants must live within specified postcodes for the role they are applying to, as the charity cannot cover relocation costs.
More information is available on the RSPCA website.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Record breeding year for England's white-tailed eagles as three chicks fledge
Conservationists said a record three chicks fledged from two wild nests, including the first chick in Dorset for 240 years, as well as two youngsters raised in a nest in Sussex. The successful breeding attempts by two pairs of white-tailed eagles brings the total born in the wild through the reintroduction project to six. White-tailed eagles are the UK's biggest bird of prey and are nicknamed 'flying barn doors' (Alamy/PA) White-tailed eagles – nicknamed flying barn doors because of their wingspan of up to 8ft (2.4m) – were once widespread in southern England until the 18th century when persecution led to them being wiped out in the region. A project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation began reintroducing white-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight in 2019, to bring back a long-lost species to the skies of southern England. The birds, which are the UK's largest bird of prey, have previously been successfully reintroduced in Scotland. Some 45 young white-tailed eagles have been released as part of the English scheme, including eight birds released this summer from the team's base on the Isle of Wight, which provides good habitat for the wetland and coast-loving species. The birds reach breeding age at around four or five years old, and three pairs released by the scheme have formed and established territories in southern England, the team behind the project said. In 2023, a single chick was born – the first in England since the 17th century – and two more were born in the summer of 2024, to the same parents, who have gone on to breed successfully again in Sussex this year. It was an incredible moment when we caught our first glimpse of that tiny fluffy chick in the nest Steve Egerton-Read, Forestry England Steve Egerton-Read, white-tailed eagle project officer for Forestry England, said the team had been monitoring the nests for months, describing it as 'such an exciting time but also incredibly nerve-racking'. 'This was especially the case for the pair of eagles in Dorset who were first time parents,' he said. 'It was an incredible moment when we caught our first glimpse of that tiny fluffy chick in the nest, but equally, it is an anxious time as the parents get to grips with what they need to do.' He said it was 'so rewarding' to see the pair of eagles, which are often spotted around Dorset, care for the chick through to fledging, adding he hoped one day the youngster would itself breed in England. And he said: 'Returning lost species like the white-tailed eagle is a key part of Forestry England's approach to restoring biodiversity and helping nature to recover. 'We hope that in years to come these iconic birds will become a much, much more common sight, inspiring future generations and deepening their connection with nature.' This is a long-term project, and it will take some years before the population is fully restored but the progress made over the last year has been incredibly encouraging Roy Dennis Roy Dennis, founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to see another year of successful breeding and that two pairs have now reached this key stage. 'This is a long-term project, and it will take some years before the population is fully restored but the progress made over the last year has been incredibly encouraging. 'We have some well-established pairs and two that are actively breeding,' he said. 'We hope to build on this progress, and I'm really pleased that we have been able to release an additional eight birds this year to further boost the population.' It is hoped that in time, a population of six to 10 breeding pairs will become established within 60km (40 miles) of the release site on the Isle of Wight. Conservationists said some of the younger released birds are present in potential breeding areas, typically close to freshwater wetlands or the coast where they can source their preferred prey of fish. White-tailed eagles live in wetlands and coastal areas where they can catch their preferred prey (Alamy/PA) A study into the food they are eating in the region shows they are targeting prey such as cuttlefish, rabbits, fish and other birds, and there are 'no conflicts' with farming, despite concerns in some quarters that the birds could prey on livestock such as lambs. In 2022, two released white-tailed eagles were found dead, prompting police investigations in Dorset, which ended after tests on the bird were found to be 'inconclusive', and on the Isle of Wight, where no evidence of an illegal act was found, though the presence of rat poison brodifacoum was found in both. The chicks are all fitted with satellite tags so that the project team can track their progress.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Perthshire villagers use a vintage tractor in operation to tidy up overgrown green spaces
Villager Brian Lundie used his Ford tractor, registered in 1962, in the community initiative to spruce up Kettins near Coupar Angus. Perthshire residents fed up with unkempt grassland in village green spaces recently used a vintage tractor in a mowing operation. In common with public spaces across Perth and Kinross, grass in the village of Kettins near Coupar Angus had become overgrown during the summer months due to PKC's 'no mow' policy aimed at encouraging wildlife and biodiversity. But residents took matters into their own hands to spruce up their village in an exercise backed by villager Brian Lundie using his Ford Dexta tractor registered in 1962, joiner Mark Gow supplying equipment and Mark Low's construction company loaning a strimmer. The idea for the operation came from Patrick Grigor who recently returned to Perthshire after 12 years in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong where he established an English language school. Patrick outlined his plan to cut overgrown village grass areas to Kettins Parish Community Council and gathered signatures from residents backing the move. He used a strimmer to clear the area in front of the Kettins Parish Church assisted by volunteers. Village children also shifted piles of dead grass to the side of the area. Patrick said: 'Thanks to everyone who helped. The place is now transformed. It is much more appropriate to the surroundings than a field of untamed grass and weeds. 'It was a real joy to see the kids getting stuck in. They were fantastic. 'They are very creative and learned a lot. Their enthusiasm was fabulous. 'Now I see Kettins looking as I remember it before I left 12 years ago.' Villager Alison Kennedy said: 'The village green became a 'no mow' blackspot and the pleasant, well-trimmed, grassy areas which added so much charm to Kettins very soon became alarmingly overgrown. 'In some places the grass had grown to two to three feet in height. 'The longstanding Marie Curie 'Kettins Field of Hope' notice board, to invite visitors to look at the annual spring glory of the daffodils, was nowhere to be seen at all. 'Most of the grass was gathered and stacked up neatly by the youngsters who worked so hard. 'The Kettins grass cutting team must be congratulated on their efforts. 'Not only have they tidied up the village green but they have shown that a sensible balance can be achieved between encouraging biodiversity and allowing much-loved green spaces to become overgrown eyesores.' PKC Independent councillor for Strathmore Colin Stewart said: 'It's great to see members of my local community taking the lead in keeping the local area looking great, and I applaud them for doing so.' Following trials in 2021, PKC's Grow Wild programme was extended last year for two years in a bid to improve biodiversity and reduce maintenance costs. The initiative however was met with criticism. On one occasion a bereaved mum had to resort to using a battery-powered strimmer to clear her son's grave. Earlier this summer safety fears were raised after PKC offered to train volunteers to 'safely' use scythes to cut overgrown grass in public spaces. A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: 'Our Community Greenspace service are in contact with Kettins Community Council regarding biodiversity and open space management. 'We intend meeting with local residents in the near future to discuss how we can work with them to agree a way forward which aligns with our policy. 'We would encourage anyone wishing to feedback or make suggestions for the maintenance of their local green space to complete our online survey which can be accessed via
Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Scotsman
Roseburn Path is too precious to lose to a tram line
Campaigners don't want to lose the Roseburn Path. Picture: Lisa Ferguson. I will be wandering along the Roseburn Path next month as I join tens of thousands of walkers in the 2025 Edinburgh Kiltwalk. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This is the second year I have taken part in this fabulous fundraising event, helping raise money for the McConnell International Foundation's scheme to support 200 girls in Malawi to stay in school. The fitter members of our team are gearing up for the 11 or even the 20-mile route, while I prefer the gentler stroll from Victoria Park though North Edinburgh to the finishing line at Murrayfield. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries, with the majority of households existing on less than £10 a week. This means that many families can't afford to keep their children in school because secondary education, even that provided by the most basic state schools, is not free. It only costs the Foundation £120 a year to support a girl in school by paying all her fees, supplying her compulsory uniform, books and extra tuition. Malawi school pupils have to sit all their national exams in English, which is not their first language, so are happy to do weekend classes. The Kiltwalk has become an annual date in the Foundation's fundraising calendar, but there is no guarantee that I will be ambling along Roseburn Path next September. The city council launches its 12-week consultation on its proposed north-south tramlline on Monday, August 25, which also happens to be my birthday. The Roseburn Path is one of two routes up for discussion, the second is for the new tram line to go along Orchard Brae. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This year, I am asking family and friends to sponsor my Kiltwalk rather than buy me a card. I would much rather they gave a fiver to help a girl stay in school than send me birthday greetings. And now I am going to ask those who live in Edinburgh to help save Roseburn Path by letting the city's councillors know the path is far too precious to be dug up for a tram line. It is a rare oasis in the Capital which is fast becoming overrun with traffic. The consultation ends on Monday, November 17 and can be found on the council's consultation hub.
