What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kennel Assistant position at VCA Animal Hospitals?
About Us:
VCA County West Animal Hospital is a general practice small animal hospital located in Kankakee, IL. We value teamwork and depend on one another to get tasks done throughout the day. We prioritize our patients and strive to provide compassionate, thoughtful care at all times. We believe that every teammate has an integral part in our success as a whole.
Position Summary:
VCA County West Animal Hospital is looking for a part-time Kennel Assistant to join our team. The Kennel Assistant plays a vital role in maintaining the health, safety, and comfort of dogs and cats in our care. This position involves direct animal care, facility sanitation, and client communication to support the overall operations of the hospital. We are looking for a candidate who is reliable, attentive to detail, and provides compassionate care to our boarding pets. Must be flexible to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide daily care for boarding dogs and cats, including feeding, fresh water, exercise, litter box care, and enrichment activities.
- Clean, disinfect, and maintain kennels, cat condos, common areas, and equipment to hospital standards.
- Observe and monitor the health, behavior, and overall well-being of boarding pets, promptly reporting any concerns to veterinary staff.
- Assist with bathing, basic grooming, and administering oral medications under supervision.
- Maintain accurate boarding records and follow established protocols for pet identification and care instructions.
- Interact with clients during pet drop-off and pick-up, ensuring excellent customer service.
- Adhere to all safety, sanitation, and infection control protocols.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office and learn functions of practice management software.
- Previous experience in animal care, boarding, shelter, or kennel environments preferred, but training is available for the right candidate.
- Ability to work in a physically demanding environment, including lifting up to 50 lbs and standing/walking for extended periods.
- Strong attention to detail, reliability, and commitment to animal welfare.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required for boarding care.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Hourly wage $15-16/hour based on experience.
- Employee discounts on veterinary services and products.
- Opportunities for professional development and advancement within the hospital.
- Supportive and collaborative team environment.
Schedule:
This position requires a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays, as boarding care is provided seven days a week.
VCA County West Animal Hospital is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.
If you are a current associate, you will 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
If you are a current associate, you will 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
Salary : $15 - $16