Kennel Assistant Job Guide: What They Do & How to Start
Love animals, but not sure how to start a career with them? You are not alone. Many people want to work with animals but don’t know where to begin. A kennel assistant job might be the perfect way to start. A kennel assistant is someone who helps take care of animals in places like pet shelters, vet clinics, or boarding kennels. They feed pets, clean cages, walk dogs, and make sure the animals feel safe and healthy. This is one of the most common animal care jobs for beginners. These jobs are in high demand. As more people adopt pets, clinics and kennels need extra hands to help with daily animal care tasks.
In this article, you will learn the full kennel assistant job description, the skills needed, where to find work, and what a typical day looks like.
What Does a Kennel Assistant Do Daily?
A kennel assistant is someone who helps care for animals in places like kennels, veterinary clinics, and animal shelters. They play a key role in keeping animals clean, fed, and safe every day. If you’re wondering what is a kennel assistant, think of them as the support team behind healthy, happy pets. They clean cages, walk dogs, give food and water, and sometimes help with basic grooming. The work environment can vary. Some kennel assistants work in busy animal shelters, others in quiet vet clinics or private pet boarding kennels. No matter the location, their job is to provide care, comfort, and attention to animals in need. This role is also called an animal care assistant in many places, especially in veterinary settings.
Main Kennel Assistant Duties & Daily Responsibilities
A kennel assistant has many hands-on tasks each day. Their work helps animals stay healthy and comfortable.
- Feeding and grooming: One of the main kennel assistant duties is feeding animals on time and brushing or bathing them when needed.
- Cleaning cages and facilities: A big part of the job includes keeping kennels clean. This is why it’s often seen as a kennel cleaning job, too.
- Walking and exercising animals: Dogs need fresh air and movement. Kennel assistants take them out for daily walks or playtime.
- Monitoring behaviour and health: They watch animals closely for any signs of sickness, stress, or injury and report it to a supervisor or vet.
- Assisting with check-ins and record keeping: They help when animals are dropped off or picked up and update feeding charts or health logs.
These daily tasks may seem small, but they’re vital for animal well-being.
Top Skills to Become a Successful Kennel Assistant
To succeed as a kennel assistant, you need more than just a love for animals. This role requires practical abilities and a strong work ethic.
- Love for animals: This is the heart of the job. A true passion for pets makes daily tasks more rewarding.
- Physical stamina: Kennel work is active. You’ll lift heavy items, walk dogs, and clean often, so you need to stay energetic.
- Attention to detail: Watching for signs of illness or stress in animals is key. Cleanliness and safety depend on small details.
- Communication and teamwork: You’ll work with vets, other staff, and sometimes pet owners. Good teamwork helps things run smoothly.
- Time management: Feeding times, cleaning schedules, and exercise routines must be followed. Managing time well is part of strong animal care skills.
These are the top skills for kennel assistant roles. With these, you can handle the job with care and confidence.
Kennel Assistant Work Hours, Environment & Daily Routine
A kennel assistant’s schedule can be busy and often includes early mornings, weekends, and even holidays. Animals need care every day, so flexibility is important. Kennel assistant work hours vary by location. Some work full-time in shifts, while others work part-time. Morning and evening shifts are common, and holiday coverage is often required. The work environment can be loud and messy. You will be around barking dogs, cleaning up after animals, and standing or walking most of the day. Physical demands are high, and strong hygiene practices are a must to prevent the spread of illness.
Despite the tough conditions, it’s a rewarding role for anyone who truly loves animals.
Kennel Assistant Salary Guide & Career Advancement Options
United States:
- Average hourly pay: $12.36 (ZipRecruiter)
- Range: $9.62 to $17.79/hour
- Salary.com reports up to $20/hour
- PayScale average: $11.83/hour
United Kingdom:
- Average hourly pay: £12.24 (Indeed)
- Annual salary: £19,000 to £23,000 (National Careers Service)
- Jooble average: £20,807/year
Career Growth Options:
- Veterinary Technician
- Animal Trainer
- Kennel Manager
- Veterinary Assistant
Helpful Certifications:
- Animal Care Certificate
- First Aid for Animals
- On-the-job training
Summary:
- Entry-level: $10–13/hour or £10–12/hour
- With experience: $14–20+/hour or £20–24k/year
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Kennel Assistant?
To become a kennel assistant, you don’t need a college degree. Most employers look for:
- High school diploma or equivalent: This is often enough to get started.
- On-the-job training: Many places train you during your first weeks.
- Short animal care courses: These can improve your chances of getting hired.
Some employers may prefer basic knowledge of animal handling or previous volunteer work with pets.
If you are wondering how to become a kennel assistant, start by meeting the basic kennel assistant requirements: a love for animals, a willingness to learn, and good work habits.
Where Can You Work as a Kennel Assistant?
Kennel assistants are needed in many animal care settings, including:
- Veterinary clinics: Help care for pets before and after treatment.
- Pet boarding facilities: Look after animals while owners are away.
- Animal shelters and rescues: Support abandoned or rescued animals.
If you are searching for a kennel assistant job near me, check local vet offices, shelters, or pet hotels. These roles also appear under animal shelter jobs on job sites and community boards.
Kennel Assistant Job: Pros, Cons & Is It Right for You?
Pros:
- Fulfilling work: You help animals every day.
- Hands-on experience: Great for those who love direct animal care.
- Entry-level access: No degree required to start.
- Career path: Can lead to vet or animal training roles.
Cons:
- Physically demanding: Involves cleaning, lifting, and long hours on your feet.
- Low starting pay: Wages are modest, especially for beginners.
- Can be messy or stressful: Loud environments and cleaning up after animals are part of the job.
If you are asking if a kennel assistant is a good job, it’s ideal for those starting in animal care and looking for experience, despite its physical demands and modest pay.
How to Find & Apply for a Kennel Assistant Job Successfully
Where to Find Openings:
- Job sites: Check platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, and local job boards.
- Local animal shelters: Visit or call nearby shelters for open positions.
- Veterinary clinics and pet boarding centres: Many hire directly through walk-ins or local ads.
Resume and Cover Letter Tips:
- Highlight any animal care experience, even as a volunteer.
- Mention key skills like cleaning, feeding, teamwork, and attention to detail.
- Keep your resume short and focused on the kennel assistant job application keywords.
- In your cover letter, explain why you love working with animals and how you’re ready to help.
Conclusion
If you love animals and want to work with them, becoming a kennel assistant is a great first step. It’s an easy way to start your animal care career without needing a degree. This kennel assistant job guide showed you the role, skills, pay, and growth options. Yes, the work is hard. But it’s also rewarding and full of learning.
Don’t wait. Search for jobs, fix your resume, and take that first step toward a job you’ll love.
FAQs
Is experience required to become a kennel assistant?
No, most kennel assistant job applications don’t need experience. A love for animals and a willingness to learn are usually enough.
Can kennel assistants become vet techs?
Yes, many start in this role and grow into vet tech positions with training and certification. It’s a common path in the animal care career field.
What is the average salary for kennel assistants?
The average kennel assistant salary is around $12–$15/hour in the U.S. and £10–£12/hour in the UK, depending on location and experience.
What makes a good kennel assistant?
Strong animal care skills, patience, attention to detail, and the ability to handle cleaning and physical work make someone great in this role.
Are there part-time kennel assistant jobs available?
Yes, many clinics, shelters, and pet boarding centres offer part-time kennel assistant jobs near me, especially for weekends and holidays.
