Animal Care Attendant | Overnight | ARC North and ARC Central, Auckland
ARC Vets is hiring two Animal Care Attendants to join our overnight emergency teams in Auckland, one at ARC North (Albany) and one at ARC Central (Freemans Bay).
This is a new role at ARC, focused on providing dedicated care and attention to patients staying in our hospitals overnight. You'll work alongside our veterinary nurses to make sure patients are comfortable, clean, fed, exercised when appropriate, and closely observed throughout their stay.
Our hospitals operate 24/7, and while overnight shifts can be quieter, emergencies can arrive at any time. We're looking for people who can provide consistent, attentive patient care while adapting to the changing demands of an emergency hospital.
If you have experience caring for animals and would like to work in a veterinary hospital, we'd love to hear from you.
The positions
ARC North | North Shore
Part-time, 10:00 pm to 6:30 am, Friday to Sunday - Three overnight shifts per week, including weekends
ARC Central | Auckland City
Part-time, 10:00 pm to 6:30 am, Tuesday to Thursday - Three overnight shifts per week
When applying, let us know which location you're interested in, or whether you'd consider either.
About the role
You'll work alongside our veterinary nurses and under their direction to support the daily care and welfare of hospitalized patients.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing food and fresh water according to each patient's feeding plan
- Walking and exercising patients when appropriate
- Providing enrichment, comfort, and companionship to patients during their hospital stay
- Observing patients during routine care and promptly alerting a nurse to changes in appetite, toileting, breathing, behavior, wounds, bandages, or general condition
- Assisting with safe patient handling for some procedures once trained, with a nurse or veterinarian present
- Cleaning and preparing kennels, bedding, bowls, and equipment
- Managing laundry and maintaining clean, comfortable ward spaces
- Restocking wards and preparing consult rooms
- Supporting the team with general hospital organization and cleanliness
This is an animal-care support role rather than a veterinary nursing position. Medications, clinical treatments, catheters, nursing procedures, and clinical advice to clients remain the responsibility of our veterinary nurses and veterinarians.
You'll receive training on your responsibilities, safe handling, and when to escalate concerns to the clinical team.
About you
You don't need previous emergency veterinary experience, but you do need practical experience caring for animals.
You might have worked in a veterinary clinic, boarding kennel, cattery, animal shelter, grooming salon, or another animal-care environment.
We're looking for someone who:
- Has experience handling animals confidently, calmly, and gently
- Is comfortable caring for animals that may be sick, injured, frightened, or stressed
- Can work independently within their responsibilities while knowing when to seek help
- Can adapt when priorities change in a busy hospital
- Follows instructions carefully and speaks up when something doesn't look right
- Is organized and maintains high standards of hygiene and cleanliness
- Communicates respectfully with clients and colleagues
- Is comfortable with a physically active role and regular overnight shifts
- Is reliable and understands the importance of consistent patient care
Experience with stock management or previous veterinary hospital work is an advantage, but not essential.
Training and support
You'll start with a structured induction, including safe animal handling and the specific responsibilities of the ACA role.
You'll report to our People ER Nurse Lead, who oversees rostering, wellbeing, and regular one-on-one check-ins.
Ongoing development will include in-house training with our Clinical ER Nurse Lead.
Pay
NZD $25 to $29 per hour, with a 20% loading as these are overnight shifts.
Why ARC?
ARC is an independent, family-owned and specialist-led emergency and specialty veterinary group.
We operate two 24/7 hospitals in Auckland, with a third hospital planned to open in Wellington in 2027.
Our team includes more than 160 veterinary professionals, with specialists in emergency and critical care, internal medicine, surgery, neurology, radiology, ophthalmology, oncology, and dermatology.
Our Animal Care Attendants will play an important role in supporting patient welfare overnight and helping our nurses and veterinarians focus on clinical care.
What we offer
- Structured induction and ongoing in-house
- 50% discount on veterinary services for your own pets
- Pet bereavement leave
- Free wellbeing support and mental health-trained leadership
- Two months of roster visibility
- Free onsite parking and good public transport access
- An active social committee with optional events throughout the year
How to apply
Apply with your CV and a short cover letter explaining your animal-care experience and which ARC location you're interested in. We will be shortlisting as applications come in and may fill the position before advertising closes. Apply now!
Applications close: 3rd December 2026