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Wellbeing

RSPCA inspector

RSPCA inspectors investigate complaints about animal cruelty, rescue animals and give advice to animal owners.

Annual Salary

£19,250 to £30,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

38 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts

2.9%
Future employment

There will be 2.9% more RSPCA inspector jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

Working day-to-day, you could:

  • advise owners on how to care for their animals
  • issue warning notices
  • rescue animals and arrange medical treatment
  • inspect kennels, pet shops and agricultural shows
  • work with local authorities and emergency services to rescue injured animals
  • write reports
  • attend court
  • give talks to educate the public

Working environment

You may need to wear a uniform.

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 can get into this job through:

  • applying directly
Volunteering and work experience

You can get 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 come to 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.

Requirements and restrictions

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

More information

Further information

You'll find advice about working as an inspector through the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

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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.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

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
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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