Victoria Caswell - Shrewsbury High School - Class of 2000

Originally I wanted to be a vet (many a High School girls dream!!) but my A-levels weren't up to scratch, so I enrolled on an Equine Science degree which I finished in 2003.

Still not quite sure of what direction to take, be that lecturing, research, nutrition etc, I accepted a job at the Child Support Agency to help build my office experience. Whilst there I saw an advert for an 'Animal Health Inspector/Enforcement Officer' position within the Trading Standrds department of Shropshire County Council.
Not quite sure of the what the role entailed I applied and was delighted to be offered an interview where I had to do an oral presentation on a topic decided by the interviewing panel. I researched this and found out some of what the job may include. I was amazed to be offered the job as I had little enforcement experience but the employers felt I would learn!

As Animal Health Inspectors we have warrants to enable us to enforce all Animal Health legislation (European as well as National) with regard to farm animals. We do this by visiting farms and checking the welfare of the livestock, looking at farm records and generally advising farmers on how to keep them legal! Every week in Shropshire there are 14 market days spread across 6 markets, our teams try and monitor these as regularly as possible. We also recieve complaints from the public regarding welfare issues where we will always investigate (similar to RSPCA officers, but we have legal right of entry unlike the charity). Roadside checks are done to ensure vehicles are roadworthy and not causing any unnecessary suffering to its occupants. I could go on listing our responsibilities.

Basically we are outside office galavanting around the countryside!

I had never heard of the job until I applied for it and I think some students may find it quite interesting to know about. I certainly love the job and have done since I started in April 2005.

Victoria Caswell
Animal Health Inspector
Shropshire Trading Standards Service