Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kennel Associate

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about animal welfare and dedicated to providing top-tier care for pets? This role requires a compassionate and reliable Kennel Associate to join our dynamic team. In this vital role, you will be the primary caregiver for the animals entrusted to us, ensuring their health, safety, and comfort. You are the heart of our daily operations, responsible for maintaining a pristine facility and providing a positive, low-stress experience for every dog, cat, and other furry guest. This position is perfect for someone with a deep love for animals, a strong work ethic, and a desire to make a tangible difference in their lives every single day.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter or Rescue
Professional Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
Retail Associate at a Pet Supply Store

Advancement To:

Kennel Supervisor or Team Lead
Veterinary Assistant or Technician (with further education)
Professional Dog Trainer or Behaviorist

Lateral Moves:

Doggie Daycare Attendant
Groomer's Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide fresh food and water to all boarded animals, strictly adhering to specific dietary requirements and feeding schedules provided by owners.
Administer oral, topical, and injectable medications to animals as prescribed by veterinarians and meticulously document all treatments.
Closely monitor the physical and emotional well-being of each animal, promptly reporting any signs of illness, stress, or unusual behavior to management.
Engage in and supervise regular exercise and enrichment activities, including individual play sessions, group play, and walks, ensuring a safe and positive social environment.
Handle animals of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments with confidence and compassion, using proper, humane restraint techniques when necessary.
Perform daily wellness checks on each animal, inspecting for any physical abnormalities such as lumps, cuts, or signs of discomfort.
Maintain detailed and accurate daily records of animal behavior, appetite, eliminations, and any services provided for seamless communication with pet owners and team members.
Assist with the intake and discharge of pets, ensuring a smooth and welcoming process for clients and their animals.
Meticulously clean and sanitize all kennels, enclosures, and cat condos using approved disinfectants to prevent the spread of disease.
Manage laundry duties, including washing, drying, and folding pet bedding, towels, and blankets to ensure a constant supply of clean linens.
Bathe, brush, and perform basic grooming tasks for animals as requested by clients or as needed for hygiene.
Ensure all animals are properly identified with collars and ID tags throughout their stay.
Provide comfort and socialization to animals that may be anxious or fearful in a kennel environment.
Follow and enforce all facility safety and animal handling protocols to prevent injuries to both staff and animals.

Secondary Functions

Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the entire facility, including play yards, common areas, food preparation zones, and storage rooms.
Greet clients in a friendly and professional manner, answer questions about our services, and provide updates on their pets.
Manage client appointments for boarding, daycare, and grooming using our facility's software system.
Process payments for services rendered and handle retail transactions for pet supplies or food.
Restock supplies throughout the facility, including food, cleaning chemicals, and other operational necessities, and report low inventory to a supervisor.
Perform minor facility maintenance tasks, such as changing light bulbs or repairing minor damage to enclosures.
Support marketing efforts by taking high-quality photos and videos of the animals for social media, with owner consent.
Participate in regular team meetings and training sessions to stay current on best practices in animal care and facility protocols.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Animal Handling: Confident and safe handling of dogs and cats of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
Canine and Feline Behavior Knowledge: Ability to read animal body language to identify stress, fear, aggression, or illness.
Sanitation Protocols: Understanding of proper cleaning and disinfection procedures to control disease in a kennel setting.
Medication Administration: Experience with accurately administering oral, topical, and subcutaneous medications.
Basic Grooming: Proficiency in bathing, nail trimming, and brushing animals.
Record Keeping: Meticulous attention to detail for logging feeding, medication, and behavioral notes.
First Aid/CPR for Pets: Certification or knowledge of basic emergency care for animals is a strong plus.
Leash and Harness Proficiency: Skilled in properly fitting and using various types of leashes, collars, and harnesses.

Soft Skills

Empathy & Compassion: A genuine love for animals and the ability to provide comfort and patient care.
Observational Skills: Keen ability to notice subtle changes in an animal's health or behavior.
Reliability & Punctuality: Dependable and committed to showing up on time for scheduled shifts, understanding that animals rely on you.
Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with other staff members to ensure seamless animal care.
Communication Skills: Clear and professional communication with both team members and clients.
Physical Stamina: Capable of standing for long periods, lifting heavy objects (up to 50 lbs), and performing physically demanding tasks.
Problem-Solving: Ability to remain calm and think clearly in stressful or emergency situations.
Time Management: Excellent ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate from a veterinary assistant, animal care, or pet grooming program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Veterinary Technology
Zoology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years of experience in an animal-related field.

Preferred: 1+ years of professional, hands-on experience working in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, doggie daycare, or professional boarding kennel is highly desirable.