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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Be Seen First

Our team is looking for Kennel Attendants! We're looking for passionate and reliable animal lovers to join our growing team! Location: 3203 S. Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92704. Schedule: Part-time or ...

Be Seen First

Our team is looking for Kennel Attendants! We're looking for passionate and reliable animal lovers to join our growing team! Location: 3203 S. Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92704. Schedule: Part-time or ...

... assist in any additional projects/tasks as assigned by the Boarding Supervisor. Complete accurate and timely record keeping Qualifications High School Diploma Previous work experience in a kennel or ...

Animal Care Attendant

Norco, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

... assist in any additional projects/tasks as assigned by the Boarding Supervisor. • Complete accurate and timely record keeping Qualifications High School Diploma Previous work experience in a kennel ...

Animal Care Attendant

Norco, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

... assist in any additional projects/tasks as assigned by the Boarding Supervisor. • Complete accurate and timely record keeping Qualifications High School Diploma Previous work experience in a kennel ...

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Kennel Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$7

$12

$18

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 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 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.
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 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 Aide (PT)

$31K - $39K/yr

Part-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

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 BASIS with a first review of applications taking place following receipt of the first 100 applications. Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to apply early. This recruitment is open until filled and may close at any time without notice once sufficient qualified applications have been reviewed.

To provide care for animals impounded at the City Animal Shelter. Examples of Duties Cleans and cares for impounded animals at the shelter such as clean cages and dog runs, replenish food and water supplies, and exercises animals. Provides basic animal health care to sick or injured animals; provides grooming services, such as bathing animals; updates medical histories.

Provides information to the public on animal adoption, care, licensing, and vaccination responsibilities. May attend training classes for the care and handling of animals. May require evening, weekends, and holiday work hours.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Typical Qualifications Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is as follows: Experience: Six months paid or volunteer experience caring for and handling animals.

General experience of computers and data entry. Education: High School Diploma or equivalent. License: Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license and a satisfactory driver record.

Employees are enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) government Employer Pull Notice Program. Knowledge: Minimum knowledge of small and large domestic animals and general information regarding wild animals. Understanding of office environment and computer experience is required.

Ability: Minimum skill in handling, rescuing and caring for wild and domestic animals. Skill in computer and data entry. Ability to communicate with professionalism, courtesy and tact.

Knowledge of customer service and public relations practices, procedures and techniques. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Manual dexterity sufficient to use hand tools, write, use telephone, two-way radio and related equipment.

Vision sufficient to read printed materials. Hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone or on a two-way radio and be heard and clearly understood in conversations; speaking ability in an understandable way, with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and on a two-way radio. Physical agility to maneuver animals occasionally weighing up to 100 pounds, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead to attend to animals, pushing/pulling of animal cages and equipment and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time.

No severe allergic reactions to animals. Physical mobility sufficient to sit in a vehicle for prolonged period of time, stand, walk, and/or run in pursuit of animals on uneven surfaces, physical strength to lift up to 100 lbs several times per day; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgements and decisions. Supplemental Information EMERGENCY SERVICES: All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Employee must complete required FEMA courses within six months of employment. SELECTION PROCESS: Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Final appointments may be be subject to a selection interview with the Department Director or designee and the remaining conditional steps in the hiring process. This position requires a conditional employment offer based on the successful completion of a drug and alcohol screening. EEO The City of Norco is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental and physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sex orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or military and veteran status.

The City is committed to making its programs, services and activities accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to participate in this recruitment, please contact Human Resources prior to the filing deadline. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

BACKGROUND CHECK: All employment offers are conditional based on the successful completion of a background investigation, physical and drug and alcohol screening at city expense and conducted by a physician designated by the city. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification. Reference checks will be conducted by the City to include at least the following: (1) verification/reference from current and past employers, (2) fingerprinting and Department of Justice criminal background check, and (3) confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and/or diploma/degrees.

DRUG SCREENING: In accordance with the City's drug free workplace policy, all employment offers are conditional and based on successful completion of drug test. E-VERIFY: The City of Norco is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States.

The provisions of this bulletin does not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.