The Role
Supervise kennel/boarding operations and staff, ensure high standards of animal care, handle duties of kennel assistants, train and schedule staff, manage client relationships, and maintain cleanliness, medication administration, and safety.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking a Full-Time Kennel Lead to help provide outstanding patient care and client service in a fast-paced, multi-doctor animal hospital. The Kennel Lead reports directly to the Practice Manager and must be willing to work flexible hours, weekends and holidays.
The Kennel Lead is responsible for supervising all aspects of the boarding facility, including personnel management of the kennel staff. The Kennel Lead also handles and/or oversees all duties outlined in the Kennel Assistant job description. This leadership position sets the example for all hospital staff to follow in animal care. The ideal candidate should have general veterinary medical knowledge to ensure standards of care are followed for patient care, as well as exceptional client service and communication skills. Confidence to deal with stressful situations and difficult employees and clients is a must. This individual must be able to carefully and thoroughly follow instructions and be able to think quickly under pressure. Kennel experience preferred.
Ideal Candidate:
- Ability to work in a physically demanding environment
- Will have an upbeat, friendly, and professional attitude
- Be compassionate/caring
- 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.
Skill, Knowledge, & Expertise
- Manage the care of animals that are at our practice for daycare, baths, boarding and/or grooming
- Build and establish relationships with clients
- Develop, train, mentor and recruit kennel staff that match our team culture
- Schedule staff accordingly, generating plans to build the business and services as well as seek to better the services we already provide
- Oversee the kennel staff and their duties, which include: observing pets appearance for physical condition, signs of illness, disease and discomfort; cleaning and disinfecting the pet suites as often as necessary; medicating pets as needed; assist with the feeding and watering of the pets in our care; bathing guests; actively monitor pets during group activities and see to their safety and well-being; provide Tender Loving Care and Comfort to pets in our care; assist any other team member in the facility as needed; give tours of our facility as requested; properly document the behavior and habits of our guests during their stay
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
About
Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. At AVG, this phrase is our North Star for empowering our 200+ hospitals across America, including General Practices and the first-of-its-kind industry disruptor, UrgentVet. Our relationship-based approach guides our victories, sweetens our celebrations, fuels our Core Values, and shapes our interactions with intention and compassion.We believe this sets us apart from everyone across virtually every industry — not our fast growth and countless wins, but our culture and the values that inspire it. Here, our people don’t just work; they thrive, grow, and lead with a passion that's anything but ordinary. And they aren’t just our colleagues; they are our mentors, cheerleaders, and friends. The best part? There’s room for you at AVG, too.
Skills Required
- Willingness to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays
- Regular on-site presence (in-person attendance required)
- Ability to work in a physically demanding environment
- General veterinary medical knowledge to ensure standards of care
- Supervisory experience managing and scheduling staff
- Exceptional client service and communication skills
- Confidence handling stressful situations and difficult employees/clients
- Ability to follow instructions carefully and think quickly under pressure
- Kennel experience
- Ability to train, mentor, recruit, and develop kennel staff
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The Company
What We Do
American Veterinary Group provides a viable exit strategy by helping veterinarians realize their goal of selling their animal hospitals. Our goal is to be a flexible partner for veterinary business owners at all stages, from younger veterinarians wanting to invest in a practice, to more experienced veterinarians preparing for retirement. Also, unlike other operators, we believe that there are opportunities in partnering with hospitals of varying sizes and models and we’re confident that our team can help bring your practice to the next level. With our continually expanding family of hospitals, we’re always seeking like-minded individuals to join our team as Lead Veterinarians, Practice Managers, Associate Veterinarians, Technicians, Receptionists, and Kennel Team. If you would like additional information about partnering with the American Veterinary Group team, seeking a career in our hospitals, or simply learning more about us and the process of valuing your practice, there are several ways to contact us. (877) 292-0524 [email protected]
