Animal Care Attendant

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Guelph invites applications for a Temporary full-time Veterinary Assistant at the Health Sciences Centre, Companion Animal Hospital. You will provide husbandry care for teaching animals and support clinicians, RVTs and DVM students.

Responsibilities include handling, restraint, cleaning, feeding, and maintaining records, with shifts including evenings, nights and weekends as needed. A related certificate or 1 year experience is required, with rabies titre proof requested.

Qualifications

• 1 year Veterinary Assistant or Animal Care Certificate, or related program.
• Demonstrated proficiency in customer service and communication.
• Flexibility to work evenings, nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Assist with restraining, handling and transporting animals.
• Clean and sanitize cages and equipment; stock supplies.
• Provide basic animal care: feeding, grooming and exercise.
• Maintain medical records and assist with admissions/discharges.

Skills

Animal handling

Customer service

Communication skills

Scheduling flexibility

Education

Veterinary Assistant cert or related program

Tools

Monitoring equipment

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Health Sciences Centre

Requisition ID: 2915

Department:Companion Animal Hospital
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

Temporary full-time from 10/13/2026to10/12/2027 with possible extension.

Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

General Purpose

Reporting to the Manager, Patient Care and Service Delivery the incumbent provides husbandry care of patient and teaching animals at the OVC HSC and supports the Clinicians, Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and students of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. The incumbent will be cross trained in other areas of the Health Sciences Centre as they may need to support other units in times of operational need. Animal Housing positions at OVC HSC includeAnimal Care Attendants (Companion Animal Hospital) and Agricultural Assistants(Large Animal Clinic).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with restraining, handling and transporting companion/large animal patients, research and teaching animals.
• Clean and sanitize cages, runs, stalls and ancillary equipment according to established procedures.
• Stock areas with appropriate supplies and maintain equipment logs.
• Ensure animal welfare by providing animal care and husbandry including, cleaning, grooming, feeding and exercising patients following safety protocols.
• Monitor changes in animal behaviour/health and report concerns to RVT or Veterinarian.
• Provide administrative support i.e. billing and organizing medical records and assist with the admission and discharge of client animals.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to safety regulations at all times.

Requirements

• 1 year Veterinary Assistant or Animal Care Certificate or related program, and/or a minimum of 1 year of related experience in a Small/Large Animal Clinic setting.
• Animal Care Certificate or additional courses such as Equine Management or Large Animal Husbandry will be given preference.
• Demonstrated proficiency in customer service as well as effective organizational and communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of computers and electronic monitoring equipment would be a benefit.
• Flexibility in scheduling availability is required. The incumbent will be required to work a variety of shifts including evenings, nights and weekends.

The successful applicant will be required to provide proof of rabies titre demonstrating protective immunity following vaccination.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number:10623056

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date:09/15/2026
Closing Date:09/22/2026