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Kennel Assistant Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

Town of Vernon

Seasonal Kennel Assistant

Vernon, CT · On-site

$22.63/hr

Animal Control/Seasonal Kennel Assistant Date Posted: 7/14/2026 Location: Animal Control Facility Seasonal Kennel Assistant Hourly Rate: $22.63/hr Dept: Police, Location: Animal Control Facility ...

Town of Vernon

Seasonal Kennel Assistant

CT

$22.63/hr

Seasonal Kennel Assistant Hourly Rate: $22.63/hr Dept: Police, Location: Animal Control Facility General Statement of Duties : Reliably cares for and feeds domestic animals at the Town's Animal ...

Candlewick Kennels

Kennel Tech

Glastonbury, CT · On-site

$12.25 - $16/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 ...

Kessler Kennel Farms

Be Seen First

Kennel Attendant

East Granby, CT · On-site

$18 - $26/hr

We are a farm style pet care facility that offers daycare and boarding for dogs that meet our temperamental and vaccination requirements. We are currently a fast paced, high volume business but are ...

Candlewick Kennels

Kennel Tech

Glastonbury, CT

$17/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 Practice Partners

Veterinarian

Suffield, CT

$130K - $150K/yr

Currently, our team consists of 5 DVMs, 6 licensed technicians, 6 veterinary assistants, 6 CSRs, and 1 kennel attendant. * All the benefits you deserve -health, dental, vision, retirement-plus:

Veterinary Practice Partners

Veterinarian

Suffield, CT · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Currently, our team consists of 5 DVMs, 6 licensed technicians, 6 veterinary assistants, 6 CSRs, and 1 kennel attendant. * All the benefits you deserve -health, dental, vision, retirement-plus:

VCA Seaside Animal Hospital

Veterinarian

Vernon, CT · On-site

$120 - $140/hr

Currently, our team consists of 5 DVMs, 6 licensed technicians, 6 veterinary assistants, 6 CSRs, and 1 kennel attendant. * All the benefits you deserve--health, dental, vision, retirement--plus:

New

Veterinary Practice Partners

Veterinarian

Suffield, CT · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Currently, our team consists of 5 DVMs, 6 licensed technicians, 6 veterinary assistants, 6 CSRs, and 1 kennel attendant. * All the benefits you deserve -health, dental, vision, retirement-plus:

Niiko Health

Administrative Assistant

Hartford, CT · Remote

$18.50 - $24.75/hr

Administrative Assistant Company: NikoHealth Employment Type: Full-Time Work Arrangement: Remote / Hybrid, based on business requirements Position Summary NikoHealth is seeking a highly organized ...

Posted today

Manufacturing Company

Office Assistant

Charlton, MA · On-site

$19/hr

About the job Office Assistant Office Assistant - $19/hr | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM What's in it for you? Looking to get your foot in the door with a company that will train you and help you grow? This is ...

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All JobsKennel JobsKennel Assistant JobsKennel Assistant Jobs in Springfield, MA

Kennel Assistant information

See Springfield, MA salary details

$7

$12

$17

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in Springfield, MA is $12.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.57 and $14.38 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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For Kennel Assistant jobs in Springfield, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Cities near Springfield, MA with the most Kennel Assistant job openings:

Kennel Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in Springfield, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $25,613 per year, or $12.3 per hour.

Seasonal Kennel Assistant

Town of Vernon

Vernon, CT • On-site

$22.63/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position Type:
Animal Control/Seasonal Kennel Assistant
Date Posted:
7/14/2026
Location:
Animal Control Facility
Seasonal Kennel Assistant
Hourly Rate: $22.63/hr
Dept: Police, Location: Animal Control Facility
General Statement of Duties: Reliably cares for and feeds domestic animals at the Town's Animal Control Facility in compliance with State of Connecticut regulations. Maintains town pound and animal shelters in absence of Animal Control Officer. Such care and maintenance shall include:
  • Feeding impounded domestic animals as directed by the Animal Control Officer.
  • Ensuring animals have clean water readily available.
  • Cleaning kennels and cages in compliance with State regulations.
  • General cleaning of the facility, including sweeping of floors.
  • Keeping inventory of domestic animal food and supplies.
  • Washing animal bedding.
  • Monitoring kennel facility temperatures in extreme heat/cold.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
  • Monitoring general health of impounded animals and reporting concerns to the Animal Control Officer.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, climb, stoop, crouch, reach with arms and hands, walk, use hands to finger, handles, or feel objects, tools or controls. Hand eye coordination is necessary to operate equipment. Must be able to follow safety measures with aggressive, dangerous animals.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds. Must occasionally push/pull 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment: The work characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in wet conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; is regularly exposed to hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals; and is frequently exposed to animal feces and noxious odors. May be exposed to zoonotic diseases.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must be reliable, dependable and have knowledge of dogs, cats, other domestic animals, including handling, sheltering, care and feeding. Knowledge Town of Vernon ordinances related to domestic animals; knowledge of animal restraint and care techniques. Ability to care for domestic animals. Ability to foster relationships and work effectively with rescue organizations, employees, and the general public; ability to be tactful, courteous, diplomatic, compassionate and professional; ability to deal with stressful situations involving animal cruelty and death.; ability to maintain self-control. Ability to make sound decisions within job scope.
Experience & Training: Requires a high school diploma, or GED, and two (2) years of experience in animal handling, care, or control, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Veterinarian Technician certification preferred, but not required. Must complete Police background check.
This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, functions and responsibilities which comprise this position. EOE/AA

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