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Kennel Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Medical Center at St. Johns

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

Orchard Point Kennels

Kennel Assistant

Eugene, OR

$16 - $18/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 ...

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 ...

Orchard Point Kennels

Kennel Assistant

Eugene, OR · On-site

$16 - $18/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 ...

DAVID C RANDALL DVM PA

Kennel Assistant

Naples, FL

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 ...

Innovetive Petcare

Kennel Assistant

Cumming, GA · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

Kennel Assistant Department: Boarding Employment Type: Full Time Location: Cumming, Georgia Compensation: $14.00 - $16.00 / hour Description Barkfield Animal Hospital is a trusted veterinary facility ...

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Kennel Assistant information

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$7

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$17

How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 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.

Is being a kennel assistant hard?

Being a kennel assistant involves physically demanding tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and caring for animals, often requiring attention to detail and good time management. 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 is the salary of a kennel technician?

The salary of a kennel technician typically ranges from $10 to $15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer. Full-time positions often include benefits such as paid time off and health insurance.

How to be a kennel assistant?

To become a kennel assistant, you should have a genuine interest in caring for animals, good physical stamina, and the ability to perform tasks such as cleaning kennels, feeding animals, and providing basic care. Prior experience with animals or certifications in pet first aid can be beneficial. A positive attitude, reliability, and the ability to work in a team are important qualities for this role.

What is the job description of a kennel assistant?

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 maintaining a clean environment, handling animals safely, and supporting veterinary staff as needed. Good communication skills and the ability to work in a physically active environment are important for this role.
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Kennel Assistant jobs near you
Kennel Assistant

Kennel Assistant

Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists

Buzzards Bay, MA • On-site

$17 - $21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Restrain pets for medical treatments and diagnostics according to doctor orders.

  • Ensure treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs are clean, stocked, and organized for incoming patients and emergency needs.

  • Disinfect pet cages after use and launder and restock patient bedding using proper cleaning protocols.

Job description

Description
Position at Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists
Kennel Assistant
Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists is seeking a full time Kennel Assistant to join our team.
About this role
The Veterinary Kennel Assistant is a key hospital team member who supports and assists the veterinarians and veterinary technicians. They ensure the safety of pets, clients, and other associates and the continuity of quality veterinary care. This opportunity is an excellent first step in growing your career in veterinary medicine.
The Kennel Assistant will
  • Leverage the veterinary team
  • Restrain pets for medical treatments and diagnostics according to doctor orders.
  • Ensure treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs are clean, stocked, and organized to ensure they are ready for incoming patients and emergency needs.
  • Assist with diagnostic imaging.
  • Disinfect pet cages after use
  • Laundering and restocking patient bedding using proper cleaning protocols and maintaining hospital cleanliness
  • Be willing to cross-train in other areas when necessary

Salary, Schedule, and Benefits Include (but are not limited to)
  • Salary range for this position is $17 to $21 hourly,
  • Schedule is full time role- includes days, nights, overnights and weekends.
    • Part time is also available
    • The initial training schedule may differ.
    • There is a holiday rotation.
    • This is not a seasonal position
  • Paid PTO and holidays
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • 401K
  • Uniform allowance
  • Trupanion Pet Insurance with company paid premiums for two of the team member's pets
  • Company Sponsored EAP

Required Qualifications
  • You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and over 18 years old.
  • Must be able to lift and restrain pets of at least 50 pounds and work on your feet most of the day.
  • Ability to learn various veterinary software programs effectively
  • Ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks appropriately
  • Ability to anticipate and be detail-oriented to provide high patient care.
  • Confidence in themselves, in their abilities, and in their team
  • Excellent clear communication skills
  • Must be professional, pleasant, and engaged
  • Must be attentive and demonstrate a high level of respect to referring veterinarians, clients, and co-workers

Preferred Qualifications
  • Associate degree in veterinary technology or certificate of completion from a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program

About Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists
Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists (CCVS) is a growing specialty and emergency-critical care hospital in Buzzards Bay and Dennis, MA. With more than 20 specialists across nine specialties, our highly skilled and compassionate team works to ensure pets receive quality, gold-standard medical care. As the only emergency and specialty referral hospital serving Cape Cod and the Islands, CCVS continues to grow to keep up with the needs of our community. We are looking for enthusiastic and experienced veterinary professionals who welcome the challenge of meeting the highest standards for quality and performance while possessing a friendly and positive team-player approach.
Imagine being part of a team that not only values your growth as a professional but also supports it. At CCVS, investing in our employees' development is vital to achieving optimal patient care.
So why not join us and become part of the Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists team? We're proud to be a United Veterinary Care Partner hospital, supporting sustainable, fulfilling careers for our team members while providing the best possible care to our community.

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