Kennel Assistant - Godspeed Animal Care

PetVet Care Centers; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) with discretionary contribution

Team member pet discounts

Emotional wellbeing support

CE stipends and career development

Grant Circle relief fund

Local hospital culture

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers' Godspeed Animal Care in Williamsburg, Virginia is seeking a Kennel Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians. Responsibilities include cleaning, feeding, exercising, restraining, and handling pets, while maintaining a clean, safe hospital environment.

The role offers a team-focused culture with local autonomy and opportunities for development within a network of hospitals nationwide.

Qualifications

• Reliable, responsible, and punctual, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience in animal care settings is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provides compassionate care to pets
• Feeds animals and tracks intake as directed by Veterinarian
• Reports unusual conditions and monitors pets for distress
• Assists veterinarians and technicians with pet restraint
• Maintains hospital cleanliness and sanitizes cages and facilities
• Follows schedules for daily and weekly cleaning tasks
• Maintains laundry and fresh bedding for kennels
• Walks and monitors patients per schedule
• Communicates health information to clients clearly
• Performs other duties as assigned by Manager

Skills

Reliability

Punctuality

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Godspeed Animal Care is currently seeking Kennel Assistant to join our team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Kennel Assistant who supports and adds value to an efficient organization dedicated to quality care and exceptional service. This position supports veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment; feeding, exercising, restraining and handling pets.

Godspeed Animal Care in Williamsburg, Virginia has a remarkable origin story — founded in 1995 as a housecall practice, it expanded into a full brick-and-mortar clinic in 2001, and in 2005 added the adjacent St. Francis Pet Resort & Rehabilitation Center, creating a truly comprehensive pet care campus. Today, the campus offers luxury boarding, rehabilitation therapy, professional grooming, obedience training, doggy daycare, and a pet boutique alongside exceptional clinical veterinary care — making it a one-of-a-kind destination for pets and their families.

Why Join Us

• Join a team that values reliable, responsible, and detail-oriented individuals who can work independently while also collaborating effectively with a supportive team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides compassionate care to pets
• Feeds animals as prescribed by the attending Veterinarian or as the owner has requested; records appetites; water intake, as well as fecal and urine production
• Recognizes and reports any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors and monitors pets for signs of distress or disease.
• Assists Veterinarians and technicians with pet restraint
• Maintains the cleanliness of the hospital each day; cleans equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensures the safe use of chemicals
• Follows a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards, and related areas; changes litter boxes and food/water bowls
• Completes the weekly and monthly chore list to maintain hospital cleanliness, equipment, and the overall appearance of the hospital
• Correctly prioritizes tasks
• Maintains laundry for the kennel and hospital
• Provides patients with fresh, clean bedding when appropriate
• Walks patients according to schedule
• Understands and carries out oral and written directions
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Remain professional and courteous to clients and co-workers while handling multiple tasks at once with many interruptions.
• Learn and understand our services and health recommendations and be able to clearly communicate these to clients.
• Be able to deal with difficult and/or aggressive patients in an effective manner meanwhile keeping yourself, the pet, and co-workers safe
• Performs other duties as assigned by Manager.

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• High school diploma or GED
• Reliable, responsible, and punctual, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Previous experience working in a veterinary hospital, animal care, kennel, or similar professional animal-care setting.

Schedule

Roughly 11AM-9PM but may change as business needs change.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range

$14—$16 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

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