JOB TITLE
Kennel Assistant
SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE AND FUNCTION
The Kennel Assistant plays a critical role in ensuring the health, safety, and comfort of boarded and hospitalized pets at the veterinary hospital.
This position supports the hospital’s commitment to exceptional client service and high-quality animal care by maintaining clean and safe environments, providing daily care to animals, and assisting veterinary staff as needed.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Clean and sanitize animal cages and kennel areas to maintain a hygienic environment.
Feed and provide water to dogs and cats according to dietary instructions.
Walk dogs regularly to provide exercise and enrichment.
Bathe dogs as required, ensuring their comfort and cleanliness.
Perform laundry duties, including washing bedding and towels.
Clean and maintain hospital premises, including common areas and animal care spaces.
Assist Doctors and Technicians with animal handling and other tasks as necessary.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Preferred
A high school diploma or equivalent is generally preferred but not always required.
TYPE & YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Required
Basic literacy and numeracy skills to follow instructions, maintain records, and communicate effectively.
Experience handling and caring for dogs and cats safely and compassionately.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred
Previous experience as a Kennel Assistant or in a similar animal care role is preferred.
Familiarity with cleaning and sanitation protocols in animal care settings is advantageous.
Experience assisting veterinary staff or working in a veterinary or boarding facility is a plus but not mandatory.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Previous experience working as a Kennel Assistant or in a similar animal care role.
Strong commitment to animal welfare and client service.
Ability to handle and care for dogs and cats safely and compassionately.
Good physical stamina to perform cleaning, walking, and bathing duties.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Basic knowledge of animal behavior and health care practices is a plus.
Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
The pay range for this role is
$15.00 - $18.74 HourlyIf you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.Skills Required
- Basic literacy and numeracy skills to follow instructions, maintain records, and communicate effectively
- Experience handling and caring for dogs and cats safely and compassionately
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Previous experience as a Kennel Assistant or in a similar animal care role
- Familiarity with cleaning and sanitation protocols in animal care settings
- Experience assisting veterinary staff or working in a veterinary or boarding facility
- Strong commitment to animal welfare and client service
- Good physical stamina for cleaning, walking, and bathing duties
- Basic knowledge of animal behavior and health care practices
- Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
What We Do
VCA Animal Hospitals is a national family of hometown animal hospitals providing primary, specialty, urgent, and emergency veterinary care. Serving more than four million pets each year, VCA invests in training, technology, and world-class medicine while supporting continuing education for its teams. With tens of thousands of associates—including thousands of veterinarians and credentialed technicians—the company focuses on improving pet health and strengthening local communities.
