Work Experience

The DSPCA offers Work Experience for transition year work experience or community service students as well as leaving cert applied (LCA) and 3rd level college students.Work experience takes place on site at the DSPCA shelter in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 and you will be working with cats and/or dogs. It is a great way to get hands on experience on the work we do and to see if working with animals is the right career path for those thinking about a future in veterinary or animal care.

Please read the below list of Requirements before booking your place. Bookings fill up quickly and we cannot move your dates once booked. .

 Bookings

Please note that work experience for the school year(s) 2022/2023 AND 2023-2024 are now FULLY BOOKED.





 Register Your Interest for Work Experience for School Year September 2024 – May 2025

Bookings for the school year 2024/2025 will open in February 2024. You can register your interest by completing this FORM 

 Requirements For TY/Community Service Work Experience

  • Work Experience in the DSPCA is carried out strictly on a block week basis, i.e. Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 4.30pm only.
  • Students must have transport to the DSPCA. Buses do not go all the way to the shelter and the roads leading up to the shelter doe not have safe footpaths.
  • Unfortunately, we cannot take students suffering from animal hair allergies as the placement requires working in confined spaces with multiple dogs and cats.
  • Students do not have to be 16 years of age to apply for work experience/community service.
  • Students must have an up to date tetanus shot.
  • Students must be insured by their school.
  • All students must be a DSPCA Junior Membership.

 3rd Level/LCA Work Experience

  • This work experience option does NOT include 4th year TY students. It is ONLY for students doing Leaving Cert Applied or students in 3rd Level College.
  • Work Experience in the DSPCA is carried out strictly on a block week basis, i.e. Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 4.30pm only.
  • Students must have transport to the DSPCA. Buses do not go all the way to the shelter and the roads leading up to the shelter doe not have safe footpaths.
  • Unfortunately, we cannot take students suffering from animal hair allergies as the placement requires working in confined spaces with multiple dogs and cats.

If you have read all the above requirements and would like to book a place for Work Experience please click BOOK NOW


 I have A Query About Work Experience

If you have any questions in relation to work experience or if you are experiencing any problems trying to book a place please contact the education department directly HERE