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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Thrive Pet Healthcare

Kennel Supervisor

Fairport, NY · On-site

$17 - $18.50/hr

Description Kennel Supervisor Fairview Veterinary Hospital Fairport, NY Full-Time Care for Pets, Support a Team, Make a Difference Every Day Thrive Natick is seeking a dependable and compassionate ...

Ruff Day Resort

Lead The Pack

Webster, NY · On-site

Oversee daily care routines, including feeding, medication administration, and kennel sanitization ... Excellence * Assist the Manager with daily task lists, ensuring the facility remains clean ...

Ruff Day Resort

Lead The Pack

Webster, NY · On-site

$16 - $19/hr

Oversee daily care routines, including feeding, medication administration, and kennel sanitization ... Excellence * Assist the Manager with daily task lists, ensuring the facility remains clean ...

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Kennel Assistant information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$7

$12

$17

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Rochester, NY is $12.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.47 and $14.23 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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What are the most commonly searched types of Kennel jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Kennel jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What are popular job titles related to Kennel Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Kennel Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Kennel Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Kennel Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY are:

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Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Kennel Assistant job openings:

Kennel Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $25,360 per year, or $12.2 per hour.

Kennel Supervisor

Thrive Pet Healthcare

Fairport, NY • On-site

$17 - $18.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago

Thrive Pet Healthcare rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 139 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

Description
Kennel Supervisor
Fairview Veterinary Hospital
Fairport, NY
Full-Time
Care for Pets, Support a Team, Make a Difference Every Day
Thrive Natick is seeking a dependable and compassionate Kennel Attendant to support our boarding department . This role is perfect for someone who loves working hands - on with animals and takes pride in creating a clean, safe, and comforting environment for pets while their families are away.
What You'll Do
As a Kennel Attendant, you'll help ensure our furry guests are happy, healthy, and well cared for by:
  • Overseeing training and daily responsibilities of the Kennel team.
  • Providing courteous customer service to pet parents.
  • Monitoring pets, includes noting their behaviors such as eating, drinking, and identifying potential problems to the supervisor or Veterinarian.
  • Maintaining the cleanliness of the hospital and boarding areas which includes but not limited to sweeping, mopping, dusting, scrubbing runs/cages, bathroom facilities spot cleaning as needed.
  • Providing enrichment and comfort to boarding pets through, walking, feeding, playtimes, baths, and maintaining the cleanliness of the hospital and boarding areas.
  • Assisting technicians with patients during pre-op, surgery, and post op.
  • Stock treatment room with supplies, maintaining a sterile environment for surgery.
  • Utilizing computer information systems to record patient history, update and maintain medical records.
  • Must be comfortable and confident handling cats and dogs of all sizes.

Experience & Skills
  • Kennel technician or animal care experience required
  • Comfortable handling animals of all sizes and temperaments
  • Able to administer oral and topical medications
  • Strong attention to detail and observation skills
  • Willing and able to perform cleaning and sanitation tasks
  • Ability to stand for long periods and walk dogs frequently
  • Basic computer skills for electronic record keeping
  • Team - oriented mindset and positive, dependable work ethic

Why Fairview Veterinary Hospital ?
  • Spend your days surrounded by animals in a supportive, compassionate environment where your care truly matters.
  • Support a team that values compassion, teamwork, and reliability
  • Work hands-on with animals of every size and personality-you'll be their trusted friend and caretaker.
  • Opportunity to grow within a respected veterinary organization

You'll Grow with Us
Here, you can grow your career as best fits you through access to comprehensive learning and skillset programs. You can build your skills and earn credentials through:
  • Our vast, diverse, and free library of continuing education courses - ThriveU
  • Live, virtual interactive workshops to develop valuable leadership skills
  • A program designed to teach you the fundamentals of running a pet hospital

And, with so many locations nationwide, you can find and move into any specialty, hospital type, or environment. Join us and provide your best care at a clinic that is deeply rooted within its community and bolstered by the resources of Thrive Pet Healthcare.
Benefits - Our Care in Action
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your emotional, physical, professional, and financial wellbeing, including:
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Mental health support through Lyra Health
  • Paid parental leave
  • Purr-ental leave for new pet adoptions
  • Backup childcare and elder care support
  • FREE CE courses
  • Pet care discounts and perks
  • Student loan support tools

Some benefits are available to full-time team members (30+ hours/week) and may be subject to eligibility requirements.
About Thrive
Thrive Pet Healthcare creates the future of pet well-being through medical excellence, innovative technology, and a connected community of teams and partners. Today, its network of 360+ primary, emergency, and specialty hospitals across the U.S. cares for pets of all ages and health needs, while portfolio companies provide tools and technology that help veterinary teams work smarter and deliver better care. Thrive invests in its people-through mentorship, leadership programs, continuing education, and well-being initiatives-so teams can grow and feel supported. For pet owners, convenient solutions such as a mobile app, Thrive Plus membership, HereFurYou Helpline, online booking, and flexible financial options make accessing quality care simpler- giving families the peace of mind their pets deserve. Learn more at thrivepetcare.com.
We welcome you to join our story and join where #WeThriveTogether.
Compensation is negotiable based on credentials and experience with a hourly pay range starting at $17-18.50 /hour. The actual rate offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location

What Thrive Pet Healthcare employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Thrive Pet Healthcare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Thrive Pet Healthcare, located in Austin, TX, US, operates within the veterinary services industry, providing high-quality healthcare solutions for pets. The company offers an extensive range of pet care services, from vaccinations and routine exams to dental care and surgical procedures. Founded on the principle of making pet healthcare both affordable and convenient, Thrive Pet Healthcare has become an integral part of the pet care community, upholding this mission with unmatched dedication. They believe in providing comprehensive care that benefits the overall well-being of pets and have made substantial progress in incorporating advanced methodologies and equipment in their facilities.

Industry

Non-profits

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Austin, TX, US

Year founded

2003

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