Boarding/Kennel Assistant

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to provide compassionate care and support for hospitalized and boarding animals, ensuring their comfort, safety, cleanliness, and overall well-being.

The Kennel Attendant plays a key role in maintaining hospital sanitation and assisting veterinary staff as needed. They are attentive, organized, and dependable, able to multitask while maintaining a calm and caring demeanor with animals and clients alike.

The Kennel Attendant must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, communicate clearly with team members, and follow hospital protocols for animal handling, feeding, and cleaning.

Must be able to withstand unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and contagious diseases.

Position type and expected hours of work:

• Full-Time & Part-Time
• Monday-Sunday
• Weekend shifts required
• Overnight Shift Occasionally required
• Holiday shifts required
• Overtime may be required

Reporting Structure

Including but not limited to:

            Reports directly to the Kennel Supervisor/Lead Technician, Practice Manager, and Medical Director. Works closely with the veterinary assistants and technicians to ensure all hospitalized and boarding patients receive appropriate care and attention.

Primary Responsibilities

Including but not limited to:

Animal Care:

1. Provides food, water, and medication per instructions and established schedules.
2. Monitors the health and behavior of all boarded and hospitalized animals; promptly reports any abnormalities to the supervisor or medical team.
3. Ensures all kennels, cages, and runs are clean, sanitized, and comfortable throughout the day.
4. Walks dog’s multiple times daily for exercise, potty breaks, and enrichment.
5. Provides clean litter boxes and fresh bedding for cats and small pets.
6. Ensures proper labeling and identification of each pet and their belongings.

Daily Chores:

1. Launders towels, gowns and surgery items in a timely manner throughout the day.
2. Stocks and supplies treatment area, including setting up kennels and rooms.
3. Boarding/ hospital care- document observations, clean and prepare cage/kennels, follow proper feeding/medication schedule.

Facility Maintenance:

1. Maintains cleanliness and organization in all kennel, boarding, and isolation areas.
2. Washes and sanitizes bowls, bedding, litter boxes, and cages throughout the day.
3. Monitors and reports any maintenance or safety issues (e.g., damaged cages, leaking faucets).
4. Adheres to all cleaning and disinfection protocols to prevent disease spread.

Client Communication:

1. Demonstrates warmth, courtesy, and professionalism in all client interactions.
2. Assists with the admission and discharge of boarding and hospital patients.
3. Prepares belongings and ensures accurate records for each pet at check-in and check-out.
4. Communicates clearly about the pet’s stay, diet, medications, or any incidents.

Animal Handling:

1. Restrains animals in a safe, efficient, and compassionate manner while pets are boarding.
2. Assists with transport of animals to different areas of the hospital as needed. Cages and removes animals as needed.
3. Exercises compassion and care in all interactions with patients. Properly handles fractious and fearful animals.

Team Support:

1. Assists veterinary assistants and technicians with restraint, cleaning, or patient transport as needed.
2. Communicates patient updates or behavioral observations promptly to medical staff.
3. Works cooperatively with all team members to ensure efficient hospital flow.
4. Attends team meetings and contributes to maintaining a positive, supportive workplace.

Personal Conduct

Including but not limited to:

1. Adheres to all hospital policies, standards, and procedures, including but not limited to uniforms, grooming, smoking, and personal calls, as stated in the hospital procedures manual/policy. This includes PetVet Care Centers employee handbook.
2. Serves as a representative of the hospital, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and other staff members.
3. Demonstrates initiative in everyday duties by seeking other work during down times, assisting other employees, and filling in for other employees as needed.
4. Adheres to the posted work schedule. Arrives for work promptly and begins work at the start time. Follows hospital policies for reporting lateness or absences.
5. Utilizes the time clock to clock in and out at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.
6. Organizes work area and exercises time-management skills to maximize personal efficiency.
7. Prioritizes tasks and handles multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.

Additional Duties:

Including but not limited to:

1. Attends departmental and staff meetings.
2. Answers phone when the Client Service Representative (receptionist) cannot answer by the third ring.
3. Keeps the treatment area clean and stocked.
4. Performs other duties as directed.

Requirements

Including but not limited to:

1. HS diploma or educational equivalent.
2. Previous animal handling or kennel experience preferred.
3. Ability to properly restrain patients.
4. Ability to safely handle dogs and cats of varying sizes and temperaments.
5. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
6. Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
7. Compassion and empathy toward animals and clients.
8. Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
9. Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift.

Physical Demands

Including but not limited to the following:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Including but not limited to the following:

Amount of Time Spent on Task

The job requires the following lifting requirements and/or exerted force be performed on the job.

Amount of Time Spent on Lifting Amounts

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust to focus.

WORK ENVIROMENT

Including but not limited to the following:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches, and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.

Follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.