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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Rochester, MI (NOW HIRING)

Kennel Attendant

Wixom, MI · On-site

$12/hr

Fully interactive daycare, boarding, and grooming pet care facility is looking for PT kennel assistant to care for and help manage dogs. Must be at least 18 y/o, have your own transportation, and be ...

Kennel Attendant

Wixom, MI · On-site

$12/hr

Fully interactive daycare, boarding, and grooming pet care facility is looking for PT kennel assistant to care for and help manage dogs. Must be at least 18 y/o, have your own transportation, and be ...

Kennel Tech

Sterling Heights, MI · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

Kennel Technician (Pet Pro) Join Our Pet-Loving Team Do you love working with dogs and cats? Want to be part of a trusted team that makes pets feel safe, loved, and at home? We're looking for a ...

Kennel Tech

Sterling Heights, MI · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

Kennel Technician (Pet Pro) Join Our Pet-Loving Team Do you love working with dogs and cats? Want to be part of a trusted team that makes pets feel safe, loved, and at home? We're looking for a ...

Veterinary Assistant

Macomb, MI · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Support kennel and boarding staff as needed with dog walking, feeding, and check-in/check-out ... Minimum 6 months of experience as a Veterinary Assistant. * Proficiency in clinical tasks such as ...

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Kennel Assistant information

See Rochester, MI salary details

$6

$11

$16

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Rochester, MI is $11.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $8.85 and $13.27 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 Rochester, MI? The most popular types of Kennel jobs in Rochester, MI are:
What job categories do people searching Kennel Assistant jobs in Rochester, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Kennel Assistant jobs in Rochester, MI are:
What cities near Rochester, MI are hiring for Kennel Assistant jobs? Cities near Rochester, MI with the most Kennel Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Rochester, MI as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $23,658 per year, or $11.4 per hour.
Kennel Assistant at Patterson Veterinary Hospital

Kennel Assistant at Patterson Veterinary Hospital

Heartland Veterinary Partners LLC

Clinton Township, MI

$14 - $15/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Heartland Veterinary Partners rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 38 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 48 rated veterinary


Job description

Patterson Veterinary Hospital has a rich tradition of providing advanced medicine, compassionate care, and excellence in client-patient service, which has continued for two generations. Our hospital combines industry-leading medical expertise with the single-minded pursuit of excellence in customer service.

Since opening in 1953, our amazing doctors have been backed by a hard-working and confident support staff, which has allowed us to truly practice the best medicine. We're also equipped with state-of-the-art tools that allow our doctors to work through all kinds of cases; these include ultrasound, digital radiology, endoscope, in-house lab, and more.


Reporting into the Practice Manager, the Kennel Assistant provides care to address the needs of patients that are visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding.  The Kennel Assistant ensures that the boarding area is clean and safe for all patients by cleaning cages, runs, and ward areas and washing laundry.  The Kennel Assistant walks, feeds, and administers medication to patients (as needed and supervised by Doctor or Technician and based on confidence and experience).

Pay $14 - $15


  • Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making Doctors, teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with practice team members. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results.  Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.  Continually looking for ways to help others.
  • Communicating: Conveying boarding outcomes to clients and teammates to ensure successful client care.
  • Active Listening: Following the expressed wishes of clients.
  • Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

  • Provides great care for patients visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding.
  • Ensures patients are admitted noting the client’s specific instructions to ensure a quality outcome including contact information and pick up time.
  • Accurately and legibly records information related to the patient such as feeding schedules, appearance, and behavior during practice visit.
  • Observes patient’s appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
  • Appropriately handles patients and as needed, properly restrains hard-to-control patients.
  • Walks patients several times a day to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.
  • Applies knowledge of normal food and liquid requirements and as required, provides special food and liquids.
  • Ensures patients are clean and fresh smelling and have been checked by a Technician / Doctor prior to discharge; ensures patient has all personal property upon exit.
  • Ensures cages and patients are properly numbered and identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper areas and identified.
  • Regularly cleans, disinfects and maintain kennels, cages, runs and stalls as often as is necessary to ensure no cages or kennels are soiled and odors are not apparent. Performs general cleaning in other areas of the hospital to control the spread of disease. Washes and sterilizes water and food bowls.
  • Launders and dries towels and blankets.
  • Walks hospital grounds regularly and cleans any trash and stool material; empties trash throughout the practice and grounds.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

  • Ability to work on weekends as required
  • Previous veterinary experience preferred
  • Ability to lift patients up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients over 25 pounds with assistance
  • Practices OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE

  • Paid time off
  • Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
  • Retirement benefits or accounts
  • Bonus incentive
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Career and professional development
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy. 


USD $14.00 - USD $15.00 /Hr.

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