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Kennel Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Demanes Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Peoria, IL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

Description Position at Demanes Animal Hospital Kennel Assistant Demanes Animal Hospital Peoria, IL Full Time Pay: $15 - $18 per hour Do you love working with animals and want to be part of a ...

Demanes Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Peoria, IL

$15 - $18/hr

Kennel Assistant Demanes Animal Hospital | Peoria, IL | Full Time Pay: $15 - $18 per hour Do you love working with animals and want to be part of a compassionate, hardworking veterinary team? We're ...

Demanes Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Peoria, IL

Kennel Assistant Demanes Animal Hospital | Peoria, IL | Full Time Pay: $15 - $18 per hour Do you love working with animals and want to be part of a compassionate, hardworking veterinary team? We're ...

Demanes Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Peoria, IL

$15 - $18/hr

Description Kennel Assistant Demanes Animal Hospital | Peoria, IL | Full Time Pay: $15 - $18 per hour Do you love working with animals and want to be part of a compassionate, hardworking veterinary ...

Demanes Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Peoria, IL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

Description Kennel Assistant Demanes Animal Hospital Peoria, IL Full Time Pay: $15 - $18 per hour Do you love working with animals and want to be part of a compassionate, hardworking veterinary team ...

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Kennel Assistant information

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How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in the United States is $12.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.62 and $14.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Kennel Assitant Do?

A kennel assistant performs a number of duties at a kennel, veterinary office, animal care shelter, or rescue facility. In this career, your responsibilities are to care for the animals at the facility and provide support to other, more senior animal care professionals, such as vet techs or veterinarians. You also feed the animals, take them for walks or exercise, and ensure that each cage is clean. More senior kennel assistants also help vet professionals with administering medication and vaccinations or perform those functions under supervision.

What are kennel assistants?

Kennel assistants are animal care workers responsible for the daily care and well-being of animals, usually in boarding kennels, veterinary clinics, or animal shelters. Their duties include feeding, cleaning cages, exercising the animals, and monitoring their health and behavior. Kennel assistants also help with basic grooming and may assist veterinarians or other staff with medical treatments. They play a vital role in maintaining a clean and safe environment for animals and ensuring their comfort while they are away from their owners.

What are some common challenges faced by kennel assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Kennel assistants often encounter challenges such as managing multiple animals with different temperaments, maintaining strict cleanliness standards, and working in a fast-paced environment. Effective time management and strong attention to detail help ensure all animals receive proper care and that the facility remains sanitary. Building good communication with team members and supervisors also makes it easier to handle emergencies or behavioral issues. Many facilities provide training on safety protocols and animal handling, so staying proactive in learning and asking questions can make the role more manageable and rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Kennel Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Kennel Assistant, you need basic animal care knowledge, physical stamina, and often a high school diploma or equivalent as a minimum qualification. Familiarity with cleaning protocols, animal handling equipment, and sometimes pet management software is useful. Dependability, attention to detail, and compassion for animals are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are important to ensure the well-being of animals, maintain a clean and safe environment, and support effective kennel operations.

What is the difference between Kennel Assistant vs Pet Care Attendant?

AspectKennel AssistantPet Care Attendant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma, basic pet care knowledge
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, kennels, veterinary clinicsPet stores, grooming salons, kennels
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal care facilities, sheltersPet retail, grooming, boarding facilities
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both Kennel Assistants and Pet Care Attendants work with animals in similar environments, Kennel Assistants typically focus on cleaning, feeding, and caring for animals in shelters or kennels. Pet Care Attendants may have broader responsibilities, including customer service and pet grooming. The roles often overlap, but Kennel Assistants usually work more directly with animal care tasks in shelter settings.

Is being a kennel assistant hard?

Being a kennel assistant involves physically demanding tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and caring for animals, often requiring attention to detail and good time management. The job can be repetitive and may involve working in various weather conditions or handling difficult animals, but it generally does not require advanced qualifications. Experience with animals and a willingness to perform manual labor are beneficial for success in this role.

What is the salary of a kennel technician?

The salary of a kennel technician typically ranges from $10 to $15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer. Full-time positions often include benefits such as paid time off and health insurance.

How to be a kennel assistant?

To become a kennel assistant, you should have a genuine interest in caring for animals, good physical stamina, and the ability to perform tasks such as cleaning kennels, feeding animals, and providing basic care. Prior experience with animals or certifications in pet first aid can be beneficial. A positive attitude, reliability, and the ability to work in a team are important qualities for this role.

What is the job description of a kennel assistant?

A kennel assistant is responsible for caring for animals in a kennel or shelter, including feeding, cleaning, and providing basic health monitoring. They often assist with maintaining a clean environment, handling animals safely, and supporting veterinary staff as needed. Good communication skills and the ability to work in a physically active environment are important for this role.
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Kennel Assistant jobs near you

Kennel Assistant

Blue Springs Animal Hospital

Blue Springs, MO

Part-time

Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Handle and restrain animals as needed.

  • Maintain cleanliness of kennel areas and restock supplies.

  • Administer medication to patients and support animal husbandry, feeding, and nutrition.

Job description

Description

Kennel Assistant - Part Time
 
Blue Springs Animal Hospital & Pet Resort is seeking a part-time Kennel Assistant in Blue Springs, Missouri to join our team of dedicated veterinary professionals. Kennel Assistants are valuable members of our medical teams and play a crucial role in patient care. You will be responsible for providing direct support to the kennel and the care of its patients. At Blue Springs, we understand the value of teamwork and strive for a positive, fun, and supportive work environment. If you’re passionate about providing quality patient care, we’d love to hear from you!
 
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
 
  • Animal handling and restraint
  • Walk animals that may need support/assistance
  • Knowledge of basic husbandry/feeding/and nutrition
  • Administer medication to patients
  • Maintain cleanliness of kennel areas
  • Restock and organize kennel supplies
  • Bathe/groom animals
  • Continue to advance knowledge base and skill set
 
Skills and Qualifications:
  • Professional experience in a veterinary clinical setting (CSR, kennel attendant, vet assistant, other), preferred not required
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to problem solve
  • Ability to handle stressful situations and prioritize tasks effectively
  • A team player, have patience and maintain a positive attitude
Benefits and Perks:
  • 401K with 100% company match up to 3% and 50% company match up to 5%, eligible after 6 months of employment
  • Company Sponsored Employee Assistance Program (Headspace)
  
We are a proud United Veterinary Care Partner hospital. United Veterinary Care supports the unique culture and individuality of each partner hospital while empowering the hospital teams in their care for patients. One of our goals is to support our community of hospitals in creating sustainable, fulfilling careers in a profession we love.
 
United Veterinary Care provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws. 
   

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