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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

VCA Animal Hospitals

Kennel Attendant

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$13 - $16.75/hr

We are seeking a Kennel Assistant to join our amazing team! The ideal candidate is dependable, energetic, and compassionate, with a strong work ethic and a passion for working with animals. Previous ...

City of Norco

Kennel Aide (PT)

Norco, CA

$31K - $39K/yr

Description PART-TIME POSITION -20 HRS PER WEEK (Hours Vary, Maximum 999 in fiscal year) Days/Hours: Weekdays, evenings, weekends and occasional holidays Applications will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS ...

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All JobsKennel JobsKennel Assistant JobsKennel Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

Kennel Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$7

$12

$18

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Riverside, CA is $12.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.05 and $15.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

Is it hard to be a kennel assistant?

Being a kennel assistant involves physically demanding tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and caring for animals, often requiring attention to detail and good communication skills. The job can be repetitive and may involve working in various weather conditions or long hours, but it generally does not require advanced qualifications. Experience with animals and a willingness to handle physical work are beneficial.

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.

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 experience working with animals.

Is being a kennel assistant worth it?

Kennel assistants perform tasks such as cleaning animal enclosures, feeding pets, and providing basic care, often working in animal shelters or veterinary clinics. The role can offer valuable experience for those interested in animal care, but it typically involves physically demanding work and low to moderate pay. Whether it is worth it depends on personal goals and interest in working with animals.
More about Kennel Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Kennel jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Kennel jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Kennel Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA? For Kennel Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Kennel Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Kennel Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Kennel Assistant jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Kennel Assistant job openings:
Kennel Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $26,815 per year, or $12.9 per hour.

Kennel Attendant

VCA Animal Hospitals

Anaheim, CA • On-site

$13 - $16.75/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

VCA Animal Hospitals rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 656 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

We are seeking a Kennel Assistant to join our amazing team! The ideal candidate is dependable, energetic, and compassionate, with a strong work ethic and a passion for working with animals. Previous experience in patient handling or the veterinary industry is highly preferred.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves animals, and wants to be part of a tight-knit team that values positivity, respect, and excellence in care.
If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!
The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

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