Kennel Assistant

NVA General Practice; Lewis Center (OH); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training provided

Growth opportunities

Job summary

The Animal Care Center of Polaris is seeking a dedicated Kennel Assistant to join our team. This entry-level role focuses on keeping boarding and daycare animals safe, clean, fed, and comfortable, while upholding hospital-grade cleanliness throughout the facility.

No veterinary experience is required—training is provided. You will help with feeding, walking, monitoring health, grooming, and maintaining supplies, working a flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• No prior veterinary experience required; training provided.
• High school diploma or equivalent (or student if applying for part-time/weekend shifts).
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for long periods.
• Flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Compassion for animals and a positive, team-oriented attitude.

Responsibilities

• Daily Maintenance: Feed, water, and exercise patients and boarding animals according to schedules.
• Walking & Solitary Time: Safe leash-walking for dogs; litter box maintenance for cats.
• Patient Monitoring: Observe for illness or discomfort and report to veterinary team.
• Comfort & Grooming: Bathe patients and maintain clean cages and bedding.

Skills

Flexible schedule

Animal care basics

Strong work ethic

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Key Responsibilities

The Animal Care Center of Polaris is seeking a dedicated, hardworking, and animal-loving Kennel Assistant to join our team. Your primary focus will be ensuring that all boarding and daycare animals are kept safe, clean, fed, and comfortable. This is a critical role that maintains the highest standards of cleanliness throughout our facility and directly impacts the health and happiness of our patients. This is an entry-level position with excellent opportunities to learn and grow within the veterinary field.

Animal Care & Husbandry

• Daily Maintenance: Feed, water, and exercise patients and boarding animals according to specific instructions and schedules.


• Walking & Solitary Time: Provide safe leash-walking for dogs in designated outdoor areas and ensure cats receive proper litter box maintenance and attention.


• Patient Monitoring: Observe animals closely for any signs of illness, discomfort, or changes in behavior (such as lack of appetite or lethargy) and immediately report findings to the veterinary team.


• Comfort & Grooming: Bathe patients as requested and ensure all cages and runs are stocked with clean, dry bedding.

Facility Cleanliness & Sanitation

• Kennel Sanitation: Deep-clean, scrub, and disinfect cages, runs, and cat condos using hospital-grade cleaners to prevent the spread of disease.


• Laundry Management: Run continuous loads of laundry to keep the clinic stocked with clean towels, and blankets.


• General Housekeeping: Sweep, mop, take out trash, and maintain clean common areas, treatment areas, and outdoor pet waste stations.


• Stocking Supplies: Keep food storage areas, cleaning supply closets, and kennel areas organized and fully stocked.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: No prior veterinary experience required; prior experience in animal shelters, doggy daycares, or pet grooming is highly valued. We are happy to train the right candidate!


• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (or currently enrolled student if applying for part-time/weekend shifts).


• Physical Requirements: Must be comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs. unassisted and spending the majority of the shift standing, bending, lifting, and walking.


• Availability: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays to ensure continuous animal care.


• Attributes: A strong work ethic, attention to detail, compassion for animals, and a positive, team-oriented attitude.