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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Ruston, LA (NOW HIRING)

Groomer, Petsense

Ruston, LA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

Sweep, vacuum, clean and sanitize cages, tubs and other cleaning as needed to maintain standards * Assist in store operations as needed Required Qualifications Experience: Minimum of 1-year ...

Grooming Salon Leader

Ruston, LA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

Manage the day to day operations of the Groom Shop; including scheduling, safety checklists, and salon audits Assist in hiring and onboarding all new Groomers and Groom Technicians. This includes ...

Groomer, Petsense

Ruston, LA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

Sanitizes and maintains upkeep of all grooming tools and equipment to eliminates injury and spread of diseases to other pet clients. * Assist in store operations as needed Required Qualifications ...

Groomer, Petsense

Ruston, LA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

Sanitizes and maintains upkeep of all grooming tools and equipment to eliminates injury and spread of diseases to other pet clients. * Assist in store operations as needed Required Qualifications ...

Grooming Salon Leader

Ruston, LA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

... Assist in hiring and onboarding all new Groomers and Groom Technicians. This includes ensuring timely completion of all training requirements, mentoring where needed throughout training and ...

Kennel Assistant information

See Ruston, LA salary details

$5

$9

$14

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Ruston, LA is $9.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $7.74 and $11.63 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 job categories do people searching Kennel Assistant jobs in Ruston, LA look for?

The top searched job categories for Kennel Assistant jobs in Ruston, LA are:

What cities near Ruston, LA are hiring for Kennel Assistant jobs?

Cities near Ruston, LA with the most Kennel Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Ruston, LA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $20,748 per year, or $10 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Re-posted 21 days ago


Tractor Supply rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

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Job description

Overall Job Summary

This position is responsible providing professional grooming services for dogs using the knowledge of canine characteristics and grooming styles and techniques.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Min 5%)
  • Deliver world class customer satisfaction
  • Answer phone and schedule appointments
  • Assists in generating business by calling existing and new customers, scheduling appointments, follow-up phone calls and reminders to customers, and verifying vaccinations. 
  • Book appointments and greet pets as they come in
  • Report all accidents and injuries to the Store Manager promptly
  • Follow bathing/grooming procedures as outlined
  • Clean ears, clip nails and perform other needed services
  • Adhere to customer instruction of clipping pattern desired
  • Clip dog's hair according to determined pattern, using electric clippers, combs, and shears
  • Comb and shape dogs' coat
  • Talk to live animal, or use other non-physical techniques to keep animal calm
  • Complete and maintain customer and company forms
  • Properly and completely fill out required grooming forms
  • Observe all safety rules and procedures and adhere to safety standards
  • Sweep, vacuum, clean and sanitize cages, tubs and other cleaning as needed to maintain standards
  • Assist in store operations as needed
     
Required Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of 1-year experience grooming/styling pets.  Must be comfortable working with dogs and cats.  Must provide own tools (clippers, blades, shears) or be willing purchase required tools.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.  Successful completion of Paragon Level 1 & 2 training provided by Petsense. Any suitable combination of education and experience will be considered.  Regardless of education level, Associates must be able to read, write and count accurately.
 

Preferred knowledge, skills or abilities
  • Operate and use all grooming tools and equipment including bathing tubs, brushes, steel combs, barber shears, scissors, clippers, driers, and bathing products such as perfumed shampoo and soaps
  • Ability to read, write, and count accurately. 
  • Communicate effectively with customers
  • Display compassion with animals and treat them accordingly
  • Exhibit attention to detail
  • Read, write, and count to accurately complete all documentation
  • Lift and carry pets generally weighing 0-50 pounds
  • Work varied hours, days, nights, and weekends as business needs dictate
  • Stand and walk for long periods of time
  • Safely work around pets and pets' waste
     
Working Conditions
  • Working environment is favorable, generally working inside with moderate noise.
  • Exposure to wet conditions, particularly when bathing dogs.
  • Exposure to cats and dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
  • Exposure to sharp grooming instruments, perfumed shampoos and soaps, pets, and pet waste.
  • Work shifts vary from one store to another, but generally are no less than 4 hours and may exceed 8 hours
  • Promote a safe and productive work environment for Team Members and customers and adhere to Company safety training and guidelines
  • Indoor floors and outdoor lots generally are hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt, etc.) lighting and temperature are adequate.
Physical Requirements
  • Ability to move and transfer live animals, equipment, and merchandise weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to stand and maintain a stationary position for up to 8 hours while grooming animals.
  • Ability to frequently move for 4-8 hours per day around the salon to groom animals, clean, and maintain the salon.
  • Ability to utilize grooming instruments including shears and dryers.
  • Ability to frequently lift or reach merchandise overhead.
  • Ability to bend, kneel, and squat frequently to position oneself to groom animals, clean shelves, and stock merchandise and equipment.
  • Ability to constantly operate store equipment such as computer, cash register, and other store equipment.
  • Ability to read, write, and count accurately to complete all documentation.
  • Ability to utilize strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with team members and customers.
  • Ability to successfully complete all required training.
  • This position is non-sedentary.
  • It is essential to operate all equipment related to your job duties effective, safely, properly, and accurately; and to provide the highest level of customer service.
  • It is essential that Team Members have the physical and mental stamina and ability to move throughout the store and outdoor areas quickly and safely.
Disclaimer

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position.  It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities.  The Associate should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor.

Company Info

At Tractor Supply and Petsense by Tractor Supply, our Team Members are the heart of our success. Their dedication, passion, and hard work drive everything we do, and we are committed to supporting them with a comprehensive and accessible total reward package. We understand the evolving needs of our Team Members and their families, and we strive to offer meaningful, competitive, and sustainable benefits that support their well-being today and in the future.

Our benefits extend beyond medical, dental, and vision coverage, including company-paid life and disability insurance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and family planning resources such as adoption and surrogacy assistance, for all full-time Team Members and all part-time Team Members. Part time new hires gain eligibility for TSC Benefits by averaging at least 15 hours per week during their 90-day lookback period. The lookback period starts the first of the month following the date of hire. If the 15-hour requirement was met, the benefits eligibility date will be the first day of the month following 4 months of continuous service.

Please visit this link for more specific information about the benefits and leave policies applicable to the position you're applying for.


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