RSPCA inspector
RSPCA inspectors investigate complaints about animal cruelty, rescue animals and give advice to animal owners.
Also known as: Animal welfare inspector, animal welfare officer
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£38,000 a year
- Typical hours38 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As an RSPCA inspector you could:
- advise owners on how to care for their animals
- issue warning notices, write reports and attend court
- rescue animals and arrange medical treatment
- inspect kennels, pet shops and agricultural shows
- work with local authorities and emergency services to rescue injured animals
Working environment
You could work in the community, at a client's home, on a farm, at an abattoir or in a court.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically and emotionally demanding, dirty and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work on your own
- sensitivity and understanding
- customer service skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a rSPCA inspector
You can get into this job by applying directly.
Volunteering
You can get useful experience by volunteering with an animal welfare charity, animal refuge or at one of the RSPCA 's own animal care centres.
Do-it also has more information on local opportunities for work with animals.
You could do a course in animal care while you're volunteering, which may help when you apply for a training place with the RSPCA.
Direct application
You can apply directly for trainee inspector vacancies. You should be willing to move to another part of the country to do your training, if necessary.
To be taken on as a trainee you'll need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and maths
- experience of working with animals
If your initial application is successful, you'll be invited to a selection day where you'll complete a series of assessments and an interview.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a good level of fitness
- have the ability to swim 50 metres fully clothed
- pass enhanced background checks
- have a full driving licence
- be able to cope with working at height
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress to chief inspector then regional superintendent.
You could also move into management or training roles at RSPCA headquarters.
You may be able to apply to do an Animal Care and Welfare Manager Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, if you want to work in an RSPCA animal and wildlife centre.
Career tips
There are lots of different roles in the RSPCA and you may be able to strengthen your application for an inspector job if you've worked in the organisation. Roles include:
- animal care assistant
- events organiser
- volunteer co-ordinator
Guides for this industry
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0