What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kennel Assistant position at Kay Animal Hospital?
Position Overview
- The Kennel Assistant supports and adds value to an efficient organization dedicated to quality care and exceptional service. This position supports veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment; feeding, exercising, restraining and handling pets.
Key Responsibilities
- Provides compassionate care to pets
- Feeds animals as prescribed by the attending Veterinarian or as the owner has requested; records appetites; water intake, as well as fecal and urine production
- Recognizes and reports any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors and monitors pets for signs of distress or disease.
- Assists Veterinarians and technicians with pet restraint
- Maintains the cleanliness of the hospital each day; cleans equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensures the safe use of chemicals
- Follows a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards, and related areas; changes litter boxes and food/water bowls
- Completes the weekly and monthly chore list to maintain hospital cleanliness, equipment, and the overall appearance of the hospital
- Correctly prioritizes tasks
- Maintains laundry for the kennel and hospital
- Provides patients with fresh, clean bedding when appropriate
- Walks patients according to schedule
- Understands and carries out oral and written directions
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Remain professional and courteous to clients and co-workers while handling multiple tasks at once with many interruptions.
- Learn and understand our services and health recommendations and be able to clearly communicate these to clients.
- Be able to deal with difficult and/or aggressive patients in an effective manner meanwhile keeping yourself, the pet, and co-workers safe
- Performs other duties as assigned by Manager.
Qualifications (Required)
- High school diploma or GED
- May consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience
- Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors
- This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion
- Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks may include standing for long period of times/walking
- May involve some stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
- Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds)
Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)
- Some experience working at a kennel or animal hospital preferred
Schedule
- 4 shifts per week, rotating weekends
- Full-time or Part-time availability
What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
- 401(k) with discretionary contribution
- Team Member Pet Discounts
- Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
- CE stipends and career development resources
- Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
- Local hospital culture backed by national resources
At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700 veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.
Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
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