Kennel Assistant Position - PT

Vicar Operating, Inc. dba VCA; La Mirada (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and paid holidays

401(k) retirement savings options

Employee pet care discounts

Job summary

VCA La Mirada is seeking a compassionate Patient Care Attendant to provide daily care for pets staying in our Resort, including boarding and medical boarding patients. You will work closely with our Resort and Medical teams to ensure attentive, individualized care throughout each pet's stay.

The role involves feeding, monitoring, administering medications per protocol, and maintaining clean kennels in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working with animals preferred (veterinary, boarding, daycare, shelter or kennel roles).
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of various sizes and temperaments.
• Reliable, dependable, and a good team player.
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift/carry supplies.

Responsibilities

• Feed, water, walk, bathe and provide enrichment per care plans.
• Administer medications as directed following hospital protocols.
• Monitor pets for changes in behavior, appetite, activity, or wellbeing.
• Report concerns to the medical team promptly.
• Maintain clean, safe kennels, wards and resort areas.
• Accurately document patient care and observations.
• Safely handle dogs and cats using Fear Free practices.
• Assist with resort intake, discharge and daily hospital operations.
• Support medical staff with holding and cleaning as needed.

Skills

Animal care

Fear Free handling

Teamwork

Communication

Stamina

Tools

Documentation

Job description

Do you love animals and take pride in making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and cared for? We are looking for a compassionate and dependable Patient Care Attendant to join our team! In this role, you will provide daily care for pets staying in our Resort, including boarding and medical boarding patients. You’ll work closely with our Resort and Medical teams to ensure every pet receives attentive, individualized care throughout their stay.

Responsibilities

• Feeding, watering, walking, bathing, and providing enrichment for pets according to their individual care plans.
• Administering medications as directed and within hospital protocols.
• Monitoring pets for changes in behavior, appetite, activity, elimination, or overall wellbeing.
• Communicating concerns or changes to the appropriate medical team member.
• Maintaining clean, safe, and comfortable kennels, wards, and Resort areas.
• Accurately documenting patient care and observations.
• Safely handling dogs and cats using Fear Free and low-stress handling techniques.
• Assisting with Resort intake, discharge, and other daily hospital operations as needed.
• Assisting medical staff with occasional holding and cleaning.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with animals preferred; veterinary, boarding, daycare, shelter, or kennel experience is a plus.
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Reliable, dependable, and able to work well as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and follow hospital protocols and Fear Free practices.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, walk dogs, clean kennels, and lift/carry supplies.
• Must be comfortable working around animal hair, odors, bodily fluids, and cleaning products.

Why Join Us?

At VCA La Mirada, we believe every pet deserves to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for while they are with us. Our Resort team works alongside our veterinary medical team to provide a high level of care and attention to every patient. You’ll be joining a team that values compassion, teamwork, communication, and continued learning, while making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance(for Full-Time Associates)
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement savings options(for Full-Time Associates)
• Employee assistance and wellbeing resources
• Employee pet care discounts
• Opportunities for career growth within the veterinary field
• Additional benefits and programs available through VCA

Pay Range: $17.00-$19.00

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people and our communities. From primary care to emergency, urgent and specialty care, VCA delivers world‑class medicine and hometown care to more than four million pets each year. We invest in cutting‑edge tools, training and technology that enable Associates across our national network of hospitals to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among our talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 500 who are board‑certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed technicians and over 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care. The future of veterinary medicine is in our hands. Join us.