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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Rockingham, NC (NOW HIRING)

Kennel Manager Location: Jackson Springs, NC Job Type: Full-Time Job Summary: The Kennel Manager is responsible for overseeing the overall operations and performance of the kennel facility, ensuring ...

Individual should be proficient in communicating care requirements to individuals across all levels within the organization including kennel assistants, trainers, handlers, and program management.

Dog Bather

Raeford, NC · On-site

$10 - $13/hr

Trim nails and clean ears safely and gently * Assist groomers throughout the day as needed * Keep ... Previous bathing, kennel, daycare, or animal handling experience is a plus Why Join Five Points Pet ...

Dog Bather

Raeford, NC · On-site

$10.75 - $13.50/hr

Trim nails and clean ears safely and gently * Assist groomers throughout the day as needed * Keep ... Previous bathing, kennel, daycare, or animal handling experience is a plus Why Join Five Points Pet ...

Veterinary Assistant

Laurinburg, NC · On-site

$12.50 - $15.75/hr

Veterinary Assistant Department: General Practice Hospitals Employment Type: Full Time Location: Academy Animal Hospital of Laurinburg Reporting To: Practice Manager Description Our hospital is ...

Office Assistant

Hamlet, NC · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Position Summary The Hamlet Housing Authority is seeking a dependable, organized, and customer-focused Office Assistant to provide administrative support and exceptional customer service to residents ...

Office Assistant We're hiring a dependable, detail-oriented Office Assistant to help keep a fast-paced office running smoothly. This role is a mix of customer service, office operations, and payment ...

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Kennel Assistant information

See Rockingham, NC salary details

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How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Rockingham, NC is $10.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $8.08 and $12.16 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Kennel jobs in Rockingham, NC?

The most popular types of Kennel jobs in Rockingham, NC are:

What job categories do people searching Kennel Assistant jobs in Rockingham, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Kennel Assistant jobs in Rockingham, NC are:

What cities near Rockingham, NC are hiring for Kennel Assistant jobs?

Cities near Rockingham, NC with the most Kennel Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Rockingham, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $21,639 per year, or $10.4 per hour.

Part-Time Kennel Assistant

Academy Animal Hospital of Laurinburg

Laurinburg, NC

Part-time

Retirement

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Description
We are seeking a Part-Time Kennel Assistant to help provide outstanding patient care and client service in a fast-paced, multi-doctor animal hospital. 

The Kennel Assistant is responsible for maintaining back of hospital duties. These tasks include: caring for boarding animals, maintaining appropriate feeding schedules/providing prescribed medication to pets, maintaining the kennel area (cleaning and mopping), bathing animals and upholding the highest level of care for all pets. Additional duties may include general cleaning of the hospital and communicating directly with clients.

Ideal Candidate
  • Demonstrates professionalism, dependability, healthy and positive communication skills, and the ability to multi-task in a hands-on environment
  • Energetic people-and-pet person with excellent work ethic and social and organizational skills
  • Be compassionate/caring
  • Willing to work flexible hours including weekends
  • Can work individually, as well as on a team
  • Self-starter personality that can complete daily tasks without the need for constant direction

Skills, Knowledge, & Expertise
  • Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
  • Prior customer service experience
  • Prior experience working with animals in a hospital setting
  • Ability to work in a wet environment


Benefits
  • 401k Match
  • Discounted Veterinary Care
  • Scrub allowance 
  • Hands-on and E-training 
  • Professional growth opportunities