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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Bluegrass Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Description Position at Bluegrass Animal Hospital Kennel Assistant (Part-Time) Veterinary Kennel Assistants are valuable members of our medical teams and play a crucial role in patient care. You will ...

Lange Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Knoxville, TN

Description Join our amazing team as our newest Kennel Assistant! You'll love the day-to-day care of patients and boarders including feeding, watering, cleaning, walking, bathing, and monitoring the ...

Barkside Lodge

Dog Kennel Attendant

Lenoir City, TN · On-site

$15/hr

Do you have experience working in a kennel, dog daycare, boarding facility, or other animal care environment? If so, Barkside Lodge is looking for experienced Dog Kennel Attendants to join our team ...

Vetcor

Veterinary Technician/Kennel Attendant

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$10.25 - $13.25/hr

Kennel Technician Status: Full-time Salary: Negotiable and based on experience Schedule: Full-time schedule. Weekends are required. Experience: Previous kennel, animal care, or veterinary experience ...

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Kennel Assistant information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$6

$11

$17

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Oak Ridge, TN is $11.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.18 and $13.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a kennel assistant?

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 does a kennel assistant 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 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 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 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 worth it?

A kennel assistant performs tasks such as cleaning animal enclosures, feeding pets, and providing basic care, often in a fast-paced environment. The role can offer valuable experience for those interested in animal care and may lead to advancement in the veterinary or pet care fields, but it typically involves physical labor and low to moderate pay. Whether it is worth it depends on individual career goals and interest in working with animals.

What education do you need to be a kennel assistant?

Kennel assistants typically do not need formal higher education but should have a high school diploma or equivalent. Basic knowledge of animal care, good communication skills, and the ability to handle physical tasks are important; some employers may provide on-the-job training or prefer candidates with prior experience working with animals.
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Kennel Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $24,573 per year, or $11.8 per hour.

Kennel Assistant

Knoxville, TN

Bluegrass Animal Hospital
Veterinary Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Bluegrass Animal Hospitalexternal

Part-time

Retirement

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Description

Kennel Assistant (Part-Time)
 

Veterinary 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.  Come thrive in an environment that encourages learning and continued growth within the profession.
Bluegrass Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary practice located in Knoxville TN. We pride ourselves on providing a supportive and collaborative environment. As a team member, you will have the opportunity to learn and grow. 


Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

  • Animal handling and restraint

  • Walking animals that may need support/assistance

  • Knowledge of basic husbandry/feeding/and nutrition

  • Administering medication to patients

  • Maintain cleanliness of kennel areas

  • Restock and organize kennel supplies

  • Bathe/groom animals

  • Constantly advance your knowledgebase and skill set


Skills and Qualifications:

  • 2 years of professional experience in a veterinary clinical setting (CSR, kennel attendant, vet assistant, other), preferred

  • Must possess excellent communication skills and the ability to problem solve and handle multiple tasks

  • Must have the ability to adjust to changes in the environment and able to handle stress in a calm manner

  • Must be a team player, have patience and maintain a positive attitude. 

  • Must be able to anticipate and be detail oriented due to the high level of quality medicine. Must be able to lift and restrain pets of at least 40 pounds, and work on feet most of the day.


Benefits and Perks:

  • 401K with 100% company match up to 3% and 50% company match up to 5%, eligible after 6 months of employment  

  • Team Member Discounts for Pet Care 

  • Referral Bonus Program 

  • DailyPay on Demand 

At Bluegrass Animal Hospital, our mission is to provide our clients and patients with everything necessary to give their pets a happy and long life. Thanks to our on-site laboratory, pharmacy, pet boarding, and examination center, we strive to meet their pet's health and wellness needs. 

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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