This could be your chance to help us with our animals, as we invite one or two young people from overseas to live with us as au pairs and dog/cat/horse carers throughout the year.
This is a domestic situation caring for our home and pets, it is not a commercial position and our au pairs live very much as part of the family.
Life at Fivejays is all about taking care of our animals, and our au pairs may become involved in dog training, agility, grooming, obedience, showing, demonstrations as well getting involved in village life and having a lot of fun.
For our au pair dog carers all living costs are met and in addition each receives weekly pocket money.
Au pairs arrange their own travel to and from the UK and their own insurance for their stay
Life here is all about caring for the animals, which include dogs, cats, a sheep, chickens, a pig and a horse, which involves helping with feeding, bathing, grooming, lots of exercising, and assisting with general care.
All our dogs are friendly and well mannered. In addition our au pairs help us to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene both inside and and outside.
Most of the real work happens in the morning. Going out with the dogs first thing and clearing up, making sure everything is clean outside, helping with feeding and settling the dogs. After breakfast, some general cleaning and housekeeping inside to be done - before lunch.
Although there is plenty of free time and days off, because this is a family home no one is really ever off duty, there is always a water bowl to be filled up, a dog wanting a cuddle, someone on the wrong side of a door and so on. If you like to separate work and leisure life here is not for you.
In addition to the daily routine of work that keeps Fivejays afloat there are lots of other less routine activities that take place on a regular weekly or occasional basis. These include assisting in dog training classes, and One to One animal training
We expect all our au pair animal carers to be involved in training and activities with the animals - that is why most want to come, working with the animals builds relationships and instils respect. We aren't looking for obedience addicts (but they are OK too) or for young people with lots of training experience but we do want au pair carers who are genuinely interested in understanding and working with animals.
The degree to which Au Pair Animal Carers are involved in all these activities depends on their interest, skill and experience. For those who have few or no existing skills, there is the opportunity to learn and join in at classes. For those who already have specific skills and qualifications in dog training there can be the opportunity to help with class instruction and if appropriate to take classes in specific activities. All our Au Pair Animal Carers may need to assist to some extent with classes.
Our au pair dog carers each have their own room with TV, video, DVD and CD cassette players where they can make themselves at home and enjoy a little privacy. Our au pair dog carers also have access to a computer that they can use in the evenings and during their days off, to access emails and to keep in touch with family and friends at home.
With very few exceptions all evenings are free for our au pair dog carers to do what they wish either at home or out and about.
Our location is approximately 9 miles away from Peterborough, and within easy travelling distance of Cambridge. London can also be reached within about 1 hour via a fast mainline rail link from Peterborough to London Kings Cross
Applicants as Dog Carer Au Pairs must;
be between 18 and 25 years of age,
have a good knowledge of English,
be cheerful, sociable and physically fit,
be happy to help keep our home clean and tidy as well as helping to care for our animals,
be a non smoker,
be responsible, careful and thorough,
and most important , have a genuine love of animals,
Our au pair animal carers work 5 days a week, helping to taking care of our dogs and helping to keeping the home clean, tidy and in good order inside and out. We are usually around except when out training so Au Pair Dog Carers are not be left alone for long periods.
If you would like to apply please send us a letter or e-mail telling us about yourself, what you have done at school (and work if applicable), describing your interests in life and in dogs in particular and telling us about any experience you have working with dogs and why you would like to come and join us at
We will need two references from people who know you. One reference must be a tutor at school or a past or present employer, the other should be the senior trainer at your dog club or another tutor or employer. Please give us telephone numbers for your referees as we may want to contact them by telephone as well as by letter. We always take up references
We also ask for a photograph or image of you and will need personal details on an application form that we will e-mail to you on request.
Our Animal Carer Au Pairs are normally expected to stay for 6 months as a minimum (some stay on longer).
Due to import restriction and the difficulties associated with doing so we do not allow our dog carer au pairs to bring their own dogs with them
This is a domestic situation caring for our home and pets, it is not a commercial position and our au pairs live very much as part of the family. 
We expect all our au pair animal carers to be involved in training and activities with the animals - that is why most want to come, working with the animals builds relationships and instils respect. We aren't looking for obedience addicts (but they are OK too) or for young people with lots of training experience but we do want au pair carers who are genuinely interested in understanding and working with animals. 
Our au pair dog carers each have their own room with TV, video, DVD and CD cassette players where they can make themselves at home and enjoy a little privacy. Our au pair dog carers also have access to a computer that they can use in the evenings and during their days off, to access emails and to keep in touch with family and friends at home. 
Our au pair animal carers work 5 days a week, helping to taking care of our dogs and helping to keeping the home clean, tidy and in good order inside and out. We are usually around except when out training so Au Pair Dog Carers are not be left alone for long periods.