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Meet some amazing wildlife that you would never normally get the chance to see.
Tiggywinkles treats over 13,000 British wild creatures every year, so there is always plenty of species to get up close to.
Work Experience Tasks
The main tasks are hands-on husbandry – which means you will spend your day cleaning cages and enclosures, preparing and providing food, with some handling of a variety of wild species.
In addition, you may be asked to help out with:
- Enclosure & site maintenance as required, which may involve weeding or painting
- Assisting with deliveries of food stuffs
Please note, we only offer non-clinical placements.
Please Note
As a charity, Tiggywinkles cannot offer any financial support or help with accommodation or expenses. You will need to arrange your own travel or place to stay if required. Tiggywinkles may terminate the work experience placement immediately if any Health and Safety or Animal Welfare rules are broken, or any placement student behaves in an unprofessional manner.
Requirements
Students must be over 16 and able to work independently.
You must have in date tetanus cover.
Tasks are very physical, so be prepared for working inside or outside, whatever the weather.
Priority is given to students already on an animal related training programme.
Extended placements (of longer than 3 weeks) are only offered after completion of a trial period.
Dress code is dark-coloured, hard wearing trousers (leggings or tracksuit are not acceptable, although in very hot weather knee length shorts are permitted); sturdy boots (no trainers ideally, as you need to step in Footbaths multiple times a day); plain dark T-shirt / Sweatshirt (no sleeveless tops). Wellies and waterproofs are recommended when working outside – dark-coloured outdoor clothing only.
No jewellery and long hair must be tied back at all times.
No known allergies to animals, animal feed (including nuts) or latex.
Easter 2025 Placements
Placements are available from Saturday 5th April to Monday 21st April 2025 for set dates, as follows:
Easter 2025 placements: 11 or 12 days, 9am to 4pm
Tuesdays to Saturdays – working Sat 5th Apr to Sat 19th Apr 2025, from 9am to 4pm, for 11 days (incl. Good Friday)
Sundays to Thursdays – working Sun 6th Apr to Mon 21st Apr 2025, from 9am to 4pm, for 12 days (incl. Easter Day and BH Mon)
Fridays to Tuesdays – working Sun 6th Apr to Mon 21st Apr 2025, from 9am to 4pm, for 12 days (incl. Good Friday, Easter Day and BH Mon)
You need to be available for ALL days in your chosen block please, including any bank holidays that may fall in your working days. Please do bear in mind the lack of public transport over public holidays.
Summer 2025 Placements – Please check back in late April for available dates, we will not be accepting applications before then.
Monday or Friday Placements
Term-time Husbandry placements are available on either Mondays or Fridays, from 9am to 5pm, for a minimum of 10 days in a block.
You need to be available for one Monday or Friday each week in term time, and able to work independently.
Would you like to become a member?
Tiggywinkles survives on a solid base of membership and relies on donations from the general public and sponsors to thrive. It receives no state funding of any kind and no financial assistance from other animal welfare or conservation groups. If you would like to help us continue our lifesaving work please click here.
