Meet the animal centre team
Jeanette Ainscough – Animal Centre Manager
Profile: Jeanette has worked with animals from leaving school at the age of 16. She started working with horses then worked in private boarding kennels before joing the RSPCA Lancashire East Branch. Jeanette joined us in the role of Deputy Manager and worked her way up to being our animal centre Manager.
Length of Service: From December 1992.
Job Outline: Jeanette is responsible for the day to day running of the animal centre and overall care the animals, staff, volunteers and customers.
Best Part of the Job: Rehabilitating an animal, getting it well both physically and behaviour wise. Then seeing that animal going out to a new home.
Jeanette is pictured with her horse, Canaster, who lives in the Stables at the Animal Centre
Ken Harrison – Branch Manager
Profile: Ken spent most of his working life in the Transport & Distribution Industry. Staring as a driver he worked his way up to Distribution Manager before moving on to Logistics consultancy. Seeking a change Ken took time out to ponder his future before joining the old Bury branch as a trustee. This led to him applying for the new post of Branch Manager at the Lancs East branch in 2005.
Length of service:From April 2005
Job Outline: Responsible for the overall day-to-day operational activities of the Branch, including the Animal Centre at Altham and our 2 shops in Burnley & Clitheroe.
Best part of the job: I’ve always loved animals and after many years of working in Transport I wanted to do something that involved looking after animals in some way. My job is never boring and there are never two days the same. The biggest thrill is seeing a family walk out of the animal centre with their new pet and with a big smile on their faces. Another is to see the letters and pictures from people who want to tell us how happy their new pet is in their new home. That’s what we’re all here for after all!!!
Steve Carpenter - Deputy Manager
Profile: Steve came to the Altham animal centre 13 years ago from Derby RSPCA. He has completed a total of 17 years service for the society following a background in farming. He owns rare breed sheep as a hobby.
Length of Service: Started in August 1998.
Job Outline: To work alongside the manager and ensure the animal centre runs as smoothly as possible.
Best part of the job: Knowing I'm making a difference to the animals in my care.
Zoe Waite - Supervisor
Profile: Zoe lives in Padiham. She used to design poetry books, calendars and put art work in books.
Zoe started at the RSPCA as a receptionist then moved onto the animal side and is now the animal centre supervisor.
Length of Service: Started in July 2007.
Job Outline: To make sure all the animals have everything they need, like their medication, clean kennels and warm bedding. Zoe also looks after the animal centre and the staff from time to time.
Best part of the job: Rehabilitating animals that have been cruelly treated, and seeing them find loving new homes. Zoe loves spending her time trying to make the animals lives happy while they are here.
Debra Stevenson - Receptionist
Profile: Debra lives in Huncoat and previously worked with children aged 3 to 11 and has a diploma in childcare. Debbie has done a wide range of jobs from cleaning to respraying cars! Debra has also managed a pub with her late husband. She really enjoys socialising, having fun and meeting new people.
Length of Service: With us since November 2009
Job Outline: I am responsible for meeting and greeting our visitors when they first arrive at the animal centre, dealing with telephone enquiries and general administration duties including donations, adoptions, keeping animal histories upto date, booking animals in and out, and so much more!
Best Part of the Job: Getting to meet and speak to a wide variety of people who are all looking for something different, giving help to all who call, whether thats providing a telephone number of getting vet help. Seeing the animals leave the centre with happy new owners is really rewarding
Melanie Simpson - Animal Care Assistant
Profile: Melanie lives in Burnley and originally trained at Lancaster University and achieved a 2.1 BA (Hons) in Youth and Community work. After 7 years working with vulnerable young people, Mel saw an advert for volunteers to walk RSPCA dogs. After a few months a paid position became available and Mel was successful in her application. Mel decided to change careers and pursue what she calls her vocation in life.
Length of Service: Started in May 2008
Job Outline: Animal Care Assistant at the animal centtre and Home Visitor. Mel also looks after welcoming new volunteers with their inductions and open evenings at the centre.
Best part of the job: Mel loves to see people who share her enthusiasm for animal welfare, joining the branch as volunteers and becoming an established part of the team. She says "volunteers are a valuable asset to the RSPCA and allow vital funds to be channelled directly into animal welsfare and therefore keep the centre running smoothly and efficiently.
Julie Vickers - Animal Care Assistant
Profile: Julie lives in Darwen and has worked with horses for most of her life. In February 2010 Julie strained her back and had to finish working at the stables. She started with us as a volunteer in June 2010 and felt that working with the animals in our care was what she wanted as a career.
Length of Service: Started in November 2010
Job Outline: The job of animal care assistant is general day to day care of the animals such as feeding, watering and cleaning. It also includes basic medical care such as distributing tablets and worming. Julie also walks the dogs, bathes the dogs and does some training when theres time!
Best part of the job:
Taking care of all the animals, knowing that they're safe and well looked after and eventually they will be settled in a proper home.
Michelle Wood - Animal Care Assistant
Profile: Previous to working with the RSPCA Michelle worked in Child Care for 4 years and before that she worked at a kennels and cattery business. Michelle has always had an interest in animal care.
Length of Service: Started August 2010
Job Outline: To provide care for the animals, training and rehabiltating them to help them gain a new home, as well as cleaning, grooming and feeding them all.
Best part of the job: Knowing that I am making a difference for an animal and helping to rehabilitate them.
Dominic Waite– Animal Care Assistant
Profile: Dominic started at the Centre in January 2005, on a college work experience placement. He then moved on to be a weekend Animal Care Assistant before joining us full time on completion of his college course.
Nicola Fletcher - Animal Care Assistant
Profile: Nicola is currently studying at University for a BSC (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Nicola has always loved animals and loves working with them.
Length of Service: Started in July 2010
Job Outline: Feeding and cleaning the animals, making sure the animals are well looked after and have everything that they need.
Best part of the job: Seeing the animals going with their new families to their new homes, especially the long stay animals.
Joanne Watson - Animal Care Assistant
Profile: Coming Soon
Length of Service: Coming Soon
Job Outline: Coming Soon
Best part of the job: Coming Soon
