Kennel Assistant

Abqpetcarehospital; Chesterfield (MO); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) seeks dog lovers for a caring pet-care role at the Veterinary Group of Chesterfield Boarding and Daycare. Starting pay is $15.00 per hour with raises based on performance, and the right candidate will thrive in a team environment focused on safety and exceptional guest care.

Responsibilities include supervising dog playgroups, learning canine body language, cleaning kennels, daily pet care, and communicating with pet parents.

Qualifications

• Evenings and weekends availability required.
• Team player with good communication.
• Flexible schedule and willingness to work holidays as needed.
• Attention to detail in daily animal care and safety.

Responsibilities

• Supervise dog playgroups and manage behavior.
• Learn canine body language to improve pet comfort.
• Clean kennels, play areas and maintain high cleaning standards.
• Provide daily care: feedings, water, bedding, and overnight space.
• Administer medications per veterinary instructions when required.
• Communicate with team and pet parents effectively.
• Follow safety protocols to ensure a safe environment for pets.

Skills

Evenings/weekends

Team player

Good communication

Flexible schedule

Attention to detail

Animal experience

Dog friendly

Physical stamina

Job description

Veterinary Group of Chesterfield Boarding and Daycare is seeking dog lovers with a passion for providing top notch care, and a desire to grow with a company of like-minded individuals! Starting pay rate is $15.00 per hour with raises based on performance. Ideal candidate will be a kind, conscientious, and detail-oriented caregiver with a flexible schedule! We strive to provide a safe, fun, and rewarding work environment, with a focus on productive teamwork.

• Duties include:
• Playgroup Supervision: Overseeing a playgroup of dogs and managing their behavior and playtime.
• Canine and Feline Knowledge: You’ll learn animal behavior in order to provide a safe environment, including studying canine body language and learning how to make pets comfortable in a kennel and playgroup environment.
• Cleaning: Managing the cleanliness of our kennels and play areas and maintaining the highest possible cleaning standards. Cleaning toys, washing dishes, mopping floors, vacuuming hair, and taking care of unpleasant messes are critical aspects of the job!
• Daily Care: Feeding pets according to parents’ instructions; making sure all dogs and cats have fresh water, clean bedding, and a comfortable space to stay overnight. May also include administering medication according to veterinary instructions.
• Problem Solving: Use common sense to solve problems as it relates to pets in our care.
• Be Proactive: Work with initiative to take on an array of tasks in our center.
• Work Together: Communicating effectively with other team members
• Guest Service: Must have basic customer service skills and be ready to talk with pet parents about their family members!
• Safety First: Able to follow established safety protocols to the letter to ensure a safe and fun environment for our guests—and ourselves!
• Must love animals: We have a lot of them!

Please note that the above-listed duties and responsibilities are the basic requirements for this role and may be modified, expanded, or reduced based on the evolving needs of the company.

Requirements:

The perfect candidate will embody these qualities:

• Must be available evenings and weekends
• Team Player: Works together well with others to make sure all duties are completed and our guests are cared for
• Good Communicator: Able to properly, promptly, and effectively communicate with other team members, management, and pet parents
• Flexibility: A flexible schedule. Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Attention to Detail: Uses keen observation skills to make sure guests are safe and comfortable, and to report any issues as they arise
• Animal Experience: Previous pet care/animal experience preferred, but not required. Love for animals a must!
• Dog Friendly: Comfortable with dogs of all sizes and breeds—we see it all!
• Physical Stamina: An ability to stand/work upright for multiple hours at a time, in all weather types; able to lift at least 50 lbs and remain active throughout your shift.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life.

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.