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Kennel Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Veterinary Practice Partners

Kennel Assistant

Rialto, CA · On-site

$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 ...

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 ...

Pet Care Center

Kennel Assistant

Montgomery, AL

$12 - $14/hr

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

Valley Animal Hospital

Kennel Assistant

Rialto, CA · On-site

$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 ...

Innovetive Petcare

Kennel Assistant

Atlanta, GA

$14 - $16/hr

As a Kennel Assistant, you'll play an essential role in the care and comfort of our hospitalized patients and boarding guests while supporting our veterinary team behind the scenes. If you're ...

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Kennel Assistant information

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How much do kennel assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 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.
More about Kennel Assistant jobs
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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, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $25,703 per year, or $12.4 per hour.
Kennel Assistant

Kennel Assistant

NVA

Denver, CO • On-site

$19.29 - $20.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description


Job description:
**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 clean environment. As a Kennel Assistant, you will play a crucial role in providing quality care for our furry friends.
**Responsibilities:**
- Provide food and water to animals according to schedules
- Clean and sanitize kennels, cages, and animal areas
- Monitor the health and behavior of animals
- Administer medications as directed by veterinary staff
- Interact with pet owners and provide excellent customer service
- Digitally document and organize pet's belongings
- Work collaboratively with the resort team as well as the hospital team
**Skills:**
- Ability to perform heavy lifting when necessary
- Knowledge of animal behavior and handling
- Personal or professional experience with pets
- Familiarity with animal vaccines
- Strong customer service skills
- Passion for pet care and well-being
-detail oriented
-motivated, self-starter
**Requirements:**
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Previous experience in animal care - A minimum of one year as a Kennel tech or in the veterinarian field
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to work well in a team setting
If you are passionate about animals and possess the necessary skills to excel as a Kennel Assistant, we would love to hear from you. Join our team and make a difference in the lives of our beloved pets every day. Accepting applications through 7/31/2026.
Job Types: Full-time
Benefits:
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

Shift:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Evening shift
  • Morning shift

Base hourly Rate $19.29-$20.50
Supplemental Pay:
  • Bonus opportunities
  • Tips

Work Days:
  • Every weekend
  • Holidays
  • Monday to Friday

Accepting applications through July 31, 2026-looking to fill position immediately
National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.
At NVA, we're on a mission to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. That starts by empowering our care teams. We nurture their growth with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects them to a community of professionals who share their passion so they can learn and grow together. Our national presence enables us to deliver technology and innovations that simplify work and expand care for all. At NVA, we're committed to your professional growth. We support your entire career journey, offering opportunities ranging from mentorship to ownership.
At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here's what to expect when interacting with us:
• We'll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com
• All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com
• There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position
If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at hiringhub@nva.com. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!
NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
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About NVA

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Nashville Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency (NVS) is a veterinary specialty and emergency hospital group with two locations in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee. Our Mission and primary focus is to honor the human-animal bond in all we do, focusing on patient care, client experience, and the health of our team. We believe we can never stop improving and strive to improve in all we do. Not only do we focus on patient care, but core to our hospital culture is also a focus on the health of our team, our community, and the environment. We are committed to sustainable environmental practices. NVS works in partnership with National Veterinary Associates-Compassion-First (NVA C-F). NVA-CF is the largest private owner of freestanding veterinary hospitals in North America with over 1400 locations worldwide.

Headquarters location

Agoura Hills, CA, US

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