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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

David & Karen Mccrystle

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Receptionist/Kennel Assistant

Healdsburg, CA · On-site

Assisting with the safe handling and restraint of patients, monitoring animals in the kennel, and ensuring all patients are comfortable and stress-free. * Clinic Maintenance: Ensuring the reception ...

David & Karen Mccrystle

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Receptionist/Kennel Assistant

Healdsburg, CA · On-site

Assisting with the safe handling and restraint of patients, monitoring animals in the kennel, and ensuring all patients are comfortable and stress-free. * Clinic Maintenance: Ensuring the reception ...

Wing & Barrel Ranch

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On-Call Hunting Dog Trainer

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$26 - $30/hr

Supervise, coach, and develop kennel staff and seasonal assistants. * Create and maintain financial reports, training progress reports, and program summaries for the Hunting Program Supervisor.

Petco

Veterinary Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$17.25 - $21.50/hr

Our Veterinary Assistants set the tone for the technical and customer support in the hospital, and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the practice.

Petco

Veterinary Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$17.25 - $21.50/hr

Our Veterinary Assistants set the tone for the technical and customer support in the hospital, and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the practice.

W3Global Inc.

Administrative Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Administrative Assistant Location: Downtown Santa Rosa, CA Schedule: Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Full-Time, 40 hours/week) Position Overview A well-established professional office in ...

Keller Estate

Administrative Assistant

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$25/hr

Auto Shop Administrative Assistant Petaluma, CA | Part‑Time (up to 24 hours/week) Pay: $25/hour We are seeking a reliable and detail‑oriented Administrative Assistan t to support operations ...

Accounting

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Administrative Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$18 - $25/hr

Administrative Assistant to Certified Public Accountant, Santa Rosa, CA Position Overview: We are a firm specializing in providing accounting and tax services to high-income individuals, estates and ...

Keller Estate

Administrative Assistant

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$25/hr

Auto Shop Administrative Assistant Petaluma, CA | Part‑Time (up to 24 hours/week) Pay: $25/hour We are seeking a reliable and detail‑oriented Administrative Assistan t to support operations ...

Mission Pet Health

Veterinary Assistant

Fairfax, CA · On-site

$18.25 - $23/hr

General Information Ref # 50324 Department Vet Tech / Vet Assistant / VT Campus Job Site Fairfax Veterinary Clinic Date Published 05-04-2026 Pay Class Part-Time Base Min. $ 25 Base Max. $ 30 Location ...

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Kennel Assistant information

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How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Santa Rosa, CA is $13.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.53 and $15.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

Is it hard to be a kennel assistant?

Being a kennel assistant involves physically demanding tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and caring for animals, often requiring attention to detail and good communication skills. 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 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.

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 experience working with animals.

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 in animal care and may lead to further opportunities in the veterinary or pet services industries, but it typically involves physically demanding work and low to moderate pay. Whether it is worth it depends on individual career goals and interest in working with animals.
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Kennel Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,102 per year, or $13.5 per hour.

Kennel Assistant - Montecito Veterinary Center

PetVet Care Centers

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

$18.21 - $22.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

PetVet Care Centers rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 101 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Montecito Veterinary Center is currently seeking a Kennel Assistants to join their team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

  • Local autonomy with national support
  • Career mobility and development opportunities
  • A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Kennel Assistant who supports and adds value to an efficient organization dedicated to quality care and exceptional service. This position supports veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment; feeding, exercising, restraining and handling pets.
Montecito Veterinary Center in Santa Rosa, CA is a fast-paced, high-energy team that strongly values our employees and everything they do. Our hospital offers a supportive environment where every team member plays a vital role in delivering excellent patient care and client services. We strive for continuity of care and a care team with faces clients know and love.
Key Responsibilities
  • Provides compassionate care to pets
  • Feeds animals as prescribed by the attending Veterinarian or as the owner has requested; records appetites; water intake, as well as fecal and urine production
  • Recognizes and reports any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors and monitors pets for signs of distress or disease.
  • Assists Veterinarians and technicians with pet restraint
  • Maintains the cleanliness of the hospital each day; cleans equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensures the safe use of chemicals
  • Follows a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards, and related areas; changes litter boxes and food/water bowls
  • Completes the weekly and monthly chore list to maintain hospital cleanliness, equipment, and the overall appearance of the hospital
  • Correctly prioritizes tasks
  • Maintains laundry for the kennel and hospital
  • Provides patients with fresh, clean bedding when appropriate
  • Walks patients according to schedule
  • Understands and carries out oral and written directions
  • Performs other duties as assigned
  • Remain professional and courteous to clients and co-workers while handling multiple tasks at once with many interruptions.
  • Learn and understand our services and health recommendations and be able to clearly communicate these to clients.
  • Be able to deal with difficult and/or aggressive patients in an effective manner meanwhile keeping yourself, the pet, and co-workers safe
  • Performs other duties as assigned by Manager.

Qualifications (Required)

  • Some animal care experience.
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

  • Some Kennel Assistant experience at a kennel or veterinary hospitals.

Schedule

  • Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.
  • Four days per week is acceptable; five days per week is preferred.

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
  • 401(k) with discretionary contribution
  • Team Member Pet Discounts
  • Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
  • CE stipends and career development resources
  • Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
  • Local hospital culture backed by national resources
Pay Range
$18.21—$22.25 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.  Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.

What PetVet Care Centers employees say

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PetVet Care Centers logo

About PetVet Care Centers

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

PetVet Care Centers, based in Westport, CT, US, is a leading player in the veterinary services industry. The company operates a network of over 350 general, specialty, and emergency hospitals across the United States, making it a central fixture in the field of animal health care. Established with a mission to provide the best possible care to the patients while supporting the people who provide that care, PetVet Care Centers continues to uphold this mission by providing comprehensive, quality medical services to pets. The company has achieved significant growth since its inception, standing as an industry pioneer by virtue of its commitment to advanced veterinary services and superior patient care.

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Westport, CT, US

Year founded

2012

Social media

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