Kennel Assistant

Lenoir City Animal Clinic; Lenoir City (TN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Pet care discounts

Continuing education

Career advancement

Job summary

Lenoir City Animal Clinic in Lenoir City, TN is seeking a dedicated Kennel Assistant to care for boarding and hospitalized patients. The role emphasizes cleanliness, safety, and compassionate handling, with early mornings, weekends, and holidays required.

This full-time position offers a clear path to growth into Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician, a supportive team culture, and benefits including medical insurance, PTO, and employee pet care discounts.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a kennel, animal shelter, or veterinary clinic preferred.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and be on your feet for long periods.
• Strong communication skills and ability to follow instructions.
• Reliable transportation and punctual attendance.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and some after-hours shifts.
• Comfort around animals of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.

Responsibilities

• Daily care and husbandry of boarding, hospitalized, and daycare animals.
• Feeding, watering, and providing enrichment to all pets in our care.
• Walking dogs and providing appropriate exercise and bathroom breaks.
• Cleaning kennels, runs, and cages to hospital standards.
• Laundering bedding and sanitizing toys, dishes, and equipment.
• Monitoring animals’ health and behavior, and reporting concerns to veterinary staff.
• Administering medications under supervision of veterinary staff.
• Assisting with safe animal handling and restraint.
• Supporting front desk and clinical teams as needed (cross-training available).
• Providing compassionate, respectful interaction with all pets and pet parents.

Skills

Kennel experience

Animal care

Communication skills

Reliability

Flexibility

Physical strength

Job description

Kennel Assistant

Department: Boarding

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Lenoir City, Tennessee

Compensation: $15.00 - $16.00 / hour

Description

At Lenoir City Animal Clinic, we believe that every pawprint matters. As a trusted, full-service veterinary clinic committed to excellence in animal care, we are looking for a dedicated, detail-oriented, and animal-loving Kennel Assistant to join our team.

This role is critical to the care and comfort of our boarding and hospitalized patients, especially on weekends, holidays, and occasional days when the clinic may be closed to the public but not to our animal guests. You are someone who:

• Has a strong work ethic and is motivated by a love of animals
• Understands the importance of cleanliness, attention to detail, and safety in animal care
• Thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Is reliable and flexible, especially for early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Is comfortable working independently and responsibly when the clinic is closed

If you're looking for an opportunity where your role truly makes a difference in the lives of animals — and where growth into a Veterinary Assistant (VA) or Veterinary Technician (VT) role is possible — this could be the perfect fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Daily care and husbandry of boarding, hospitalized, and daycare animals
• Feeding, watering, and providing enrichment to all pets in our care
• Walking dogs and providing appropriate exercise and bathroom breaks
• Cleaning kennels, runs, and cages to hospital standards
• Laundering bedding and sanitizing toys, dishes, and equipment
• Monitoring animals’ health and behavior, and reporting concerns to veterinary staff
• Administering medications under supervision of veterinary staff
• Assisting with safe animal handling and restraint
• Supporting front desk and clinical teams as needed (cross-training available)
• Providing compassionate, respectful interaction with all pets and pet parents

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience in a kennel, animal shelter, or veterinary clinic preferred
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and be on your feet for long periods
• Strong communication skills and ability to follow instructions
• Reliable transportation and punctual attendance
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and some after-hours shifts
• Comfort around animals of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments
• A calm, patient, and observant demeanor under pressure
• A desire to learn and grow within the veterinary field

This is a full-time position, and weekend and holiday availability is required. Some shifts may be required even when the clinic is closed to the public, in order to care for boarding or hospitalized pets.

Compensation & Benefits

Full-Time Employee Benefits Include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
• Employee pet care discounts
• Access to continuing education resources
• Career advancement potential within the clinic (VA or VT track opportunities)
• Supportive team culture focused on mentorship and professional development

Many of our top team members started in kennel care roles — and with dedication, curiosity, and hard work, grew into Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician positions. We’re passionate about developing talent from within, and we’re looking for someone eager to stay and grow with us.