Animal Welfare Officer (North & South Regions)

Starting salary £28,500, increasing to £31,500 upon successful completion of probation.

Location: Home-based with extensive regional and national travel

We are currently recruiting for two Animal Welfare Officers to join our investigations team:

• North Region – ideally based within easy reach of Manchester, Sheffield and the North East (Newcastle and surrounding areas).
• South Region – ideally based within easy reach of London, Kent and the wider South East.

About the Role

Animal Welfare Officers play a critical role in investigating serious and organised animal cruelty offences, rescuing animals in need, and supporting the progression of criminal cases through to court.

Working independently across your region, you will conduct investigations, gather evidence, liaise with enforcement partners, and support the welfare of animals involved in our cases. You will be expected to make sound operational decisions, manage sensitive situations professionally, and represent the organisation to a high standard.

Animal Welfare Officers will either lead investigations as the designated Case Officer or provide operational support to colleagues on complex cases. This may include overt enforcement activity, intelligence development, evidence gathering, surveillance operations, multi-agency working, and the preparation of cases for prosecution.

This is a varied and demanding role requiring flexibility, resilience and a strong commitment to animal welfare.

Essential Experience

Applicants must have previous professional experience in one of the following roles:

• Local Authority Animal Welfare Officer
• Police Wildlife Crime Officer
• RSPCA Inspector

Applications from candidates without one of the above backgrounds will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of organised animal cruelty and animal welfare offences.
• Gather evidence and prepare case files to support criminal proceedings.
• Liaise with in-house and external prosecution lawyers throughout investigations and prosecutions.
• Act as the lead Case Officer for assigned investigations, managing cases from initial intelligence through to prosecution where appropriate, or provide covert and overt operational support to other Case Officers during investigations and enforcement activity.
• Rescue animals and arrange appropriate veterinary examination and treatment.
• Conduct home checks across your region.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with police forces, local authorities, veterinary professionals and other partner agencies.
• Share intelligence and promote collaborative enforcement activity.
• Attend incidents, search warrants and operational deployments as required.
• Undertake covert surveillance operations where appropriate (full training will be provided).
• Prepare witness statements, attend court hearings, and provide evidence when required.
• Maintain accurate records and case management systems.

Requirements

Essential

• Previous experience as a Local Authority Animal Welfare Officer, Police Wildlife Crime Officer or RSPCA Inspector.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout your region and nationally when required.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong investigative, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to make quick, informed decisions in challenging and dynamic environments.
• Confidence dealing with sensitive, confrontational or emotionally demanding situations.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and unsocial hours in line with operational requirements.
• Minimum age of 18 years.
• Existing legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

Desirable

• Experience preparing evidence for criminal proceedings.
• Knowledge of animal welfare legislation and criminal justice processes.
• Experience working alongside police, local authorities or other enforcement agencies.
• Previous surveillance, intelligence gathering or enforcement experience.

What We Offer

• Home-based working.
• Ongoing professional development and specialist training.
• Opportunity to work on complex and high-impact animal cruelty investigations.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to criminal prosecutions and animal rescues.

Pre-Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory:

• Enhanced DBS check.
• Employment references.
• Right-to-work verification.
• Social media screening.

Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must already possess the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to work on some of the most serious and complex animal welfare investigations in the country. You will help rescue animals from suffering, build criminal cases against offenders, and contribute directly to improving animal welfare through enforcement and prosecution.

If you are an experienced animal welfare professional looking for a challenging and rewarding role, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date: 30 June 2026

Interviews expected: w/c 20 July 2026

Expected start date: August 2026