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Kennel Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DAVID C RANDALL DVM PA

Kennel Assistant

Naples, FL · On-site

As a Kennel Assistant, you will be providing daily care for the animals we are responsible for, ensuring all of their needs are met. That can include feeding them, cleaning their kennels and play ...

American Veterinary Group

Kennel Assistant

Odessa, FL · On-site

Kennel Assistant Department: General Practice Hospitals Employment Type: Full Time Location: Lakeside Animal Hospital (FL) Reporting To: Practice Manager Description We are seeking a Full-Time Kennel ...

Angel Animal Hospital & Boarding

The Kennel Assistant is responsible for maintaining back of hospital duties. These tasks include: caring for boarding animals, maintaining appropriate feeding schedules/providing prescribed ...

Holmes Veterinary Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Laurens, SC · On-site

$12 - $16/hr

As a Kennel Assistant, you will be providing daily care for the animals we are responsible for, ensuring all of their needs are met. That can include feeding them, cleaning their kennels and play ...

New

Innovetive Petcare

Kennel Assistant

Tupelo, MS · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

Kennel Assistant Department: Boarding Employment Type: Full Time Location: Tupelo, Mississippi Compensation: $14.00 - $16.00 / hour Description Join our amazing team as our newest Kennel Assistant!

NVA

Kennel Assistant

Denver, CO · On-site

$19.29 - $20.50/hr

**Kennel Assistant** **Job Summary:** We are seeking a dedicated Kennel Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will assist in the daily care and well-being of our animals, ensuring a safe and ...

Valley Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Rialto, CA

$16.50/hr

Kennel Assistant Valley Pet Hotel is hiring a seasonal Kennel Assistant to work alongside our team of experienced veterinarians, skilled technicians, and devoted support staff to ensure each animal ...

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Kennel Assistant information

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How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for kennel assistant in the United States is $12.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.62 and $14.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Kennel Assitant 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 kennel assistants?

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.

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 does a kennel assistant do?

A kennel assistant is responsible for caring for animals in a kennel or shelter, including feeding, cleaning, and providing basic health monitoring. They often assist with grooming, exercise, and maintaining a clean environment, requiring physical stamina and attention to animal safety. The role may involve working early mornings, evenings, or weekends depending on the facility's schedule.

Is being a kennel assistant worth it?

A kennel assistant performs tasks such as cleaning animal enclosures, feeding pets, and providing basic care, often requiring physical stamina and attention to detail. The role can offer experience in animal care and may lead to advancement in the pet care industry, but it typically offers low to moderate pay and may involve physically demanding work. Overall, it can be worthwhile for those interested in animal care and seeking entry-level employment in the field.

What skills do you need to be a kennel attendant?

Kennel attendants need good animal handling skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow safety and hygiene protocols. Physical stamina is important for tasks like cleaning and lifting, and basic communication skills help in interacting with pet owners and team members.

Do you need a degree to be a kennel assistant?

A kennel assistant typically does not need a degree to work in the role. Employers often prioritize relevant skills such as animal care, cleanliness, and the ability to handle animals over formal education, though some positions may require basic training or certifications in pet first aid or animal handling.
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Kennel Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $25,703 per year, or $12.4 per hour.
Kennel Assistant

Kennel Assistant

American Veterinary Group

Montgomery, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

American Veterinary Group rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

37th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

Kennel Assistant
Department: General Practice Hospitals
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Animal Hospital of Montgomery
Reporting To: Practice Manager
Description
We are seeking a Full-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
  • This position requires regular on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Due to the nature of veterinary hospital operations, in-person attendance is necessary to support patient care, respond to time-sensitive needs, collaborate with clinical teams, and maintain the safety and well-being of patients, clients, and staff. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and will consider requests for reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable laws.

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
  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision Options)
  • 401k Match
  • Generous paid time off (PTO)
  • Paid Parental Leave + Paid Maternity Leave
  • One (1) Work/Life Balance day off
  • Short-term and long-term disability options
  • Supplemental insurance options
  • Discounted Veterinary Care
  • Scrub allowance
  • Hands-on and E-training
  • Professional growth opportunities
  • Tuition assistance for prospective Veterinary Technician Students
  • Tuition reimbursement for Credentialed/Registered Veterinary Technicians

What American Veterinary Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

American Veterinary Group logo

About American Veterinary Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Founded in 2015, American Veterinary Group (AVG) owns and operates a network of 120+ veterinary practices throughout the South that treat and protect over 75,000 pets annually. Our goal is to provide ongoing, in-person support to ease the burden of the day-to-day operations of veterinary practices, including in-office staff training, educational and marketing tools, and back office support. We deliver high touch practice management solutions to help veterinarians focus on the needs of their patients, instead of the needs of their business. We are animal lovers above all else, and operate with the motto, "pet first, client first".

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Tampa, FL, US

Year founded

2015

Social media

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