Kennel Assistant

Better Together Animal Alliance; Ponderay (ID); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Better Together Animal Alliance (BTAA) invites you to join our shelter team as a Kennel Assistant. This entry-level position focuses on daily care, cleanliness, and comfortable environments for animals while keeping staff and visitors safe and supported.

Growth opportunities exist into broader animal care or medical departments. The role emphasizes humane animal handling, adherence to safety standards, and a collaborative, accountable team culture.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in cleaning, animal care, or shelter work preferred but not required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working around animals of all sizes and temperaments.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a safe, sanitary workspace.

Responsibilities

• Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, and common areas following BTAA sanitation protocols.
• Wash dishes, launder bedding, and restock supplies (food, litter, cleaning materials, PPE).
• Prepare kennels and housing areas for new arrivals and adoptions.
• Assist with facility upkeep - trash removal, sweeping, mopping, and organizing storage areas.
• Support animal care staff by ensuring animals have clean water, bedding, and enrichment items.
• Report any maintenance, safety, or animal welfare concerns promptly to supervisors.
• Follow all biosecurity and disease prevention procedures.
• Provide compassionate customer service to volunteers, fosters, and visitors when appropriate.
• Participate in ongoing training and cross-department collaboration to build skills for future advancement.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Physical stamina

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Are you passionate about animal welfare and eager to start a career making a difference for pets and the people who love them? Join the dedicated team at Better Together Animal Alliance (BTAA) as a Kennel Assistant! This entry-level role is the foundation of our shelter operations - supporting the daily care, cleanliness, and comfort of animals while maintaining a safe, organized environment for staff and visitors. The Kennel Assistant ensures that every animal's space is clean, every supply is stocked, and every team member has the support they need to provide excellent care. This position offers hands-on experience and growth opportunities into animal care or medical departments.

BTAA Expectations of Employee

• Treat animals humanely, with love and concern, both on and off the job, and transmit these values to others.
• Adhere to BTAA's policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Maintain a clean, compassionate, and professional environment that reflects BTAA's mission and values.
• Support a team-driven, collaborative workplace where communication and accountability are key.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, and common areas following BTAA sanitation protocols.
• Wash dishes, launder bedding, and restock supplies (food, litter, cleaning materials, PPE).
• Prepare kennels and housing areas for new arrivals and adoptions.
• Assist with facility upkeep - trash removal, sweeping, mopping, and organizing storage areas.
• Support animal care staff by ensuring animals have clean water, bedding, and enrichment items.
• Report any maintenance, safety, or animal welfare concerns promptly to supervisors.
• Follow all biosecurity and disease prevention procedures.
• Provide compassionate customer service to volunteers, fosters, and visitors when appropriate.
• Participate in ongoing training and cross-department collaboration to build skills for future advancement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in cleaning, animal care, or shelter work is preferred but not required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working around animals of all sizes and temperaments.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a safe, sanitary workspace.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks throughout the shift.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk and sit and stand; is regularly required to use both hands to make coordinated movements to grasp or type; is regularly required to lift and /or move up to 20 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment:

The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee may be exposed to animal feces and animals with a potential for zoonotic exposure.

Intent and function of Job Descriptions:

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,

it is possible that job requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.

Better Together Animal Alliance / FOTS Thrift Store maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.