What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kennel Attendant position at Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation?
Kennel Attendant (Full-Time)
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation
Waynesville, NC
30–40 hours per week
Join Our Team!
We’re growing, and we’re looking for someone who loves animals as much as we do.
At Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation, our team works every day to give animals a second chance. Each year, we help save and rehome over 400 animals, and none of it happens without compassionate, hardworking people behind the scenes.
If you’re passionate about animal welfare and want to make a real difference in your community, this could be the perfect role for you.
Position Overview
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is seeking a dedicated and flexible Kennel Attendant to join our team. In this role, you will help provide exceptional daily care for the dogs and cats in our shelter. Your work will ensure that every animal in our care is safe, comfortable, and treated with kindness while they wait for their forever homes.
This is a high-responsibility, physically active position working with both dogs and cats. The ideal candidate is compassionate, dependable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced rescue environment.
Candidates must be able to bend, stoop, twist, and lift 50 pounds, and be available approximately five days per week, including some weekends and holidays.
Key Responsibilities: Animal Care
Provide daily care for shelter animals including feeding, watering, grooming, and administering medications as directed. Assist in carrying out medical and behavioral plans developed by our medical and behavior teams.
Kennel Sanitation & Maintenance
Maintain a clean and healthy shelter environment by:
- Removing organic material from kennels and dishes
- Cleaning kennels and surfaces according to Sarge’s protocols
- Sanitizing crates, toys, food bowls, and equipment
- Replacing bedding and maintaining clean kennel spaces
- Washing and drying laundry
Exercise & Enrichment
Help animals stay physically and mentally healthy through:
- Walks and supervised playtime
- Enrichment activities
- Socialization and positive interactions
Observation & Reporting
Monitor animal health and behavior and promptly report any concerns to the Behavior Coordinator or Medical Coordinator.
Adoption Support
Help potential adopters learn about our animals by:
- Sharing information about animal personalities
- Assisting during meet-and-greets
- Providing a welcoming experience for visitors touring the facility
Volunteer Support
Assist volunteers with safe animal handling, harnessing, and removing animals from kennels as needed.
Administrative Support
Occasionally assist with record-keeping, updating animal profiles, and other basic administrative tasks.
Facility Care
Help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming rescue facility.
Qualifications
- A genuine passion for animal welfare
- Understanding of the challenges faced by animal rescue organizations
- Commitment to providing compassionate care using low-stress and fear-free handling techniques
- Previous experience working with animals preferred
- Ability to confidently handle animals of different sizes, breeds, and temperaments
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Good organizational and time-management abilities
- Physical ability to perform demanding tasks including lifting, cleaning, and walking dogs
- Comfort working with cleaning and sanitation chemicals
- Willingness to attend training as required
Schedule
This position is 30–40 hours per week.
Schedules vary and include some weekends and holidays to ensure animals receive consistent care.
Compensation
$17.55 per hour
Benefits
- Flexible scheduling
- Employee Assistance Network
- Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance (with options for dental and vision)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility for qualifying employees
- Discounted pet food
- Discounted basic veterinary care for personal pets
If you’re looking for meaningful work, an active job, and the chance to help animals every day, we’d love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $17.55 per hour
Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- On-the-job training
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $18