Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Kennel Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kennel Assistant is the cornerstone of daily animal care and facility operations. This role is dedicated to ensuring the health, safety, and comfort of all animals lodging within a facility, whether for boarding, daycare, or medical reasons. As a primary caregiver, the Kennel Assistant provides essential services from feeding and exercising to cleaning and monitoring, acting as a vital link between the animals, the clients, and the veterinary or management team. This position demands a unique blend of compassion, physical stamina, and meticulous attention to detail, making it a foundational role for anyone passionate about a career in animal welfare.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

High School Graduate with a passion for animals
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter or Rescue
Pet Sitter or Dog Walker

Advancement To:

Kennel Manager or Supervisor
Certified Veterinary Technician (with further education)
Professional Dog Trainer or Behaviorist

Lateral Moves:

Veterinary Assistant
Pet Groomer or Groomer's Assistant
Animal Adoption Counselor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide clean, fresh water and appropriate food to all boarded and kenneled animals, strictly adhering to specific dietary instructions and feeding schedules provided by owners or veterinary staff.
Conduct multiple daily exercise sessions for dogs, which may include individual leash walks and supervised group play sessions, ensuring a safe, controlled, and stimulating environment for all participants.
Meticulously clean and sanitize all kennels, cages, runs, and play areas using approved disinfectants and protocols to maintain a hygienic environment and prevent the spread of disease.
Closely monitor the health, behavior, and overall well-being of each animal, promptly and accurately reporting any signs of illness, stress, anxiety, or injury to the Kennel Manager or a veterinary professional.
Administer oral, topical, and sometimes subcutaneous medications to animals as explicitly prescribed by a veterinarian, carefully documenting each administration in the animal's record.
Perform basic grooming tasks such as bathing, brushing, and nail trims as requested by clients or as needed to maintain the hygiene and comfort of the animals.
Handle animals of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments in a calm, confident, and compassionate manner, utilizing proper and safe restraint techniques when necessary for their safety and the safety of staff.
Ensure all animal living quarters are comfortable and safe, with clean, dry bedding, appropriate enrichment toys, and a properly regulated temperature.
Assist veterinary technicians and veterinarians with patient restraint during examinations, sample collections, treatments, and minor procedures.
Maintain detailed and accurate records of animal care, including feeding logs, medication charts, exercise schedules, and daily behavioral observation notes.
Manage the intake and discharge of animals by interacting with clients, ensuring all paperwork is completed correctly, and all personal belongings are returned to the owner.
Provide direct socialization and enrichment to animals, offering comfort and companionship to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with being in a new environment.
Observe and facilitate safe and positive interactions between animals during group play, recognizing canine body language to proactively prevent conflicts and injuries.

Secondary Functions

Engage with pet owners in a professional, empathetic, and friendly manner, providing positive updates on their pets and answering basic questions about facility services and policies.
Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and professional appearance of the entire facility, including reception and client-facing areas, laundry rooms, and outdoor grounds.
Manage all laundry duties for the facility, ensuring a constant supply of clean towels, blankets, and bedding for the animals.
Diligently monitor and restock facility supplies, including pet food, cleaning agents, cat litter, and other essentials, and notify management when inventory levels are low.
Perform minor facility maintenance and repair tasks, such as fixing kennel latches or replacing light bulbs, to ensure a safe and fully functional environment.
Uphold all facility safety and operational procedures to ensure the well-being of staff, clients, and animals at all times.
Support front desk staff during peak hours by answering phones, greeting clients, or processing payments as needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Safe Animal Handling: Proficient in safely approaching, handling, and restraining dogs and cats of various sizes and temperaments.
Sanitation Protocols: Strong understanding of cleaning and disinfection procedures to control and prevent zoonotic diseases in a kennel environment.
Animal First Aid: Basic knowledge of how to respond to common animal emergencies, such as choking, heatstroke, or minor injuries.
Medication Administration: Ability to accurately administer oral and topical medications as directed by a veterinarian.
-Canine Body Language: The ability to read and interpret dog body language to anticipate behavior and ensure safety during group interactions.
Record Keeping: Meticulous in maintaining accurate and legible logs for feeding, medication, and daily observations.
Basic Grooming: Competency in performing essential grooming services like bathing, brushing, and nail trimming.

Soft Skills

Compassion & Empathy: A genuine love for animals and the ability to provide care with kindness and patience.
Physical Stamina: The ability to be on one's feet for long periods, lift heavy objects (e.g., bags of food, large dogs), and perform physically demanding tasks.
Keen Observation Skills: The ability to notice subtle changes in an animal's behavior, appetite, or physical condition.
Reliability & Punctuality: A strong sense of responsibility and commitment to showing up on time for every shift, as animals depend on it.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively with other assistants, technicians, and managers to ensure seamless animal care.
Resilience: The emotional fortitude to handle stressful situations, including sick or anxious animals and difficult client conversations.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous in following feeding instructions, cleaning protocols, and medication schedules without error.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate from a Veterinary Assistant or Animal Care program.
Enrollment in a Pre-Veterinary or Animal Science program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Veterinary Technology
Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years.

Preferred:

At least 6 months of professional or volunteer experience working directly with animals in a setting such as a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, dog daycare, or grooming salon.
Demonstrable personal experience caring for a variety of pets is also highly valued.