Kennel Assistant

National Veterinary Associates; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Pet Discount

401(k) with Company Match

Life Insurance

Short & Long-Term Disability

Paid Time Off/Vacation

Mental Health Resources

Job summary

National Veterinary Associates seeks a compassionate Kennel Assistant at Animal Hospital of Orange Grove in Gulfport, MS. You will care for hospitalized and boarding pets, provide bathing services, and help maintain a clean, safe facility.

The role requires physical stamina, reliability, and the ability to work weekends as part of the kennel rotation. Prior animal experience is preferred, but a willingness to learn and team player attitude are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience with animals is preferred but willingness to learn is valued.
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of all sizes and temperaments.
• Physically demanding tasks including standing for long periods and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Care for hospitalized and boarding pets with food, water, bedding, exercise and attention.
• Perform bathing services for dogs and prepare them for pickup.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, treatment and bathing areas to maintain a sanitary environment.
• Walk dogs and monitor health, comfort, and behavior of patients.
• Assist doctors and technicians with restraint and basic patient care as needed.

Skills

Animal care

Dog & cat handling

Physical stamina

Job description

Animal Hospital of Orange Grove located in Gulfport, MS is looking to add a compassionate and hardworking Kennel Assistant to our team! If you love animals, enjoy staying active, and take pride in providing excellent care, we would love to meet you!

About Us

We are a full-service veterinary hospital with room to grow! We strive to offer our clients the best possible care for their pets while providing exceptional customer service. The atmosphere and morale of our clinic are extremely important to us, and we highly value teamwork, communication, and a positive work environment.

Our kennel assistants play a vital role in ensuring our patients and boarding guests are comfortable, clean, and well cared for throughout their stay. In addition to caring for our hospitalized and boarding patients, our kennel team is responsible for providing bathing services for our clients' pets, helping them look and feel their best before going home. We believe every pet deserves compassionate care, and every team member deserves to feel valued and appreciated.

We also know how important it is to enjoy your workday, so we strive to provide a supportive workplace where your hard work is recognized. Along with our positive team culture, we offer competitive benefits and opportunities for growth within the veterinary field.

What to Expect

• Caring for hospitalized and boarding pets by providing food, fresh water, clean bedding, exercise, and plenty of attention
• Performing bathing services for dogs, including bathing, drying, and preparing pets for pickup
• Cleaning and disinfecting kennels, treatment areas, bathing areas, and hospital facilities to maintain a safe, sanitary environment
• Walking dogs and monitoring the health, comfort, and behavior of patients
• Assisting doctors and technicians with animal restraint and basic patient care as needed
• Laundry, stocking supplies, and helping keep the hospital running smoothly
• Working four kennel shifts every other weekend as part of the regular rotation
• A collaborative team that values open communication and is always willing to lend a helping hand
• A consistent schedule you will know in advance with supportive management committed to helping you succeed

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous experience working with animals is preferred, but a willingness to learn is equally important
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of all sizes and temperaments
• Reliable, motivated, and able to work independently while contributing to a team
• Able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, frequent walking, and safely handling animals
• Excellent communication skills and a positive attitude
• Willingness to work weekends as part of the kennel rotation
• Passionate about providing exceptional care to every patient
• Competitive Pay
• Employee Pet Discount
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off/Vacation
• Mental Health Resources

National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.

At NVA, we’re on a mission to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. That starts by empowering our care teams. We nurture their growth with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects them to a community of professionals who share their passion so they can learn and grow together. Our national presence enables us to deliver technology and innovations that simplify work and expand care for all. At NVA, we're committed to your professional growth. We support your entire career journey, offering opportunities ranging from mentorship to ownership.

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.