The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland (TDSI) works as part of 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 and professional Veterinary Nurse to join our friendly team at TDSI. Highly organised, and a true team player, you will provide a high standard of care to animals in the hospital and on our farms in County Cork, assisting vets with all medical and surgical procedures. Further duties will include effectively supporting the Senior Veterinary Nurse in facilitating a professional and smooth-running department and a safe and secure working environment.
About you:
Registered Veterinary Nurse with Veterinary Council of Ireland.
Experience of delivering a high standard of care and nursing.
General equine experience.
Good communication and IT skills.
Able to perform physically demanding work.
Able to make good decisions under pressure.
Able to organise structured work rotas to provide an efficient nursing service.
About the role:
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include -
Assisting Vets with all medical and surgical procedures; preparation of patients and equipment, calculating drug doses, and monitoring anaesthesia and recovery.
Providing nursing care for and monitoring any hospitalised and farm patients, assessing cases out of hours and amending care plans and ensuring that patient records and documentation are accurately maintained.
Undertaking medical procedures and minor surgery and preparing and administering medication to hospitalised and farm patients under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon.
Liaising with farm staff concerning current health and treatment of donkeys in their care.
In collaboration with hospital colleagues and management, providing a safe working environment by using risk assessments, following health and safety regulations, maintaining department security and communicating positively to minimise risk of accident and injury.
Providing education and delivering training programs for student and qualified nurses, and supporting visiting Veterinary Surgeons, students, volunteers, and work experience students, treating them in a friendly, respectful manner and providing excellent customer service to all department and visitors to the hospital.
Ensuring correct handling, storage and disposal of dangerous drugs, chemicals, pharmaceutical and clinical waste according to COSHH regulations.
What we offer in return:
Based at Hannigans Veterinary Hospital, Liscarroll, this is a part-time, fixed term contract starting as soon as possible until 31 December 2026, working 23 hours per week. The working pattern will be agreed between the Line Manager and post-holder, but flexibility will be required for evening and weekend work as part of the out-of-hours team rota.
Benefits:
Competitive pension.
Life assurance.
20 days holiday per year. This increases by one day each year until a maximum of 25 days is reached. There are an additional 10 public holidays.
Wellbeing team.
Recorded Pilates classes.
Long service awards.
Healthshield plan, including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets and access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
Free parking.
Closing date for completed applications: Thursday 30 July 2026.
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, and may be Garda vetted where required for the post.
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.
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/
