Kennel Assistant Position - PT

VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc; La Mirada (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

Pet care discounts

Career growth

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 their stay.

Responsibilities include feeding, medications, monitoring wellbeing, and maintaining clean facilities. This full-time role offers benefits and opportunities for growth within the veterinary field.

Qualifications

• Prior experience caring for animals preferred; veterinary, boarding, daycare, shelter, or kennel work is a plus.
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of various sizes and temperaments.
• Reliable, dependable, and a good team player.
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and follow hospital protocols and Fear Free practices.
• Ability to stand long periods, walk dogs, and lift/carry supplies.

Responsibilities

• Feed, water, walk, bathe, and provide enrichment per individual care plans.
• Administer medications as directed within hospital protocols.
• Monitor pet wellbeing and report changes to the medical team.
• Maintain clean, safe kennels and Resort areas.
• Document patient care and observations accurately.
• Assist with Resort intake, discharge, and daily operations.
• Support medical staff with occasional holding and cleaning.

Skills

Animal care

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication

Fear Free handling

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 include:

• 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

If you are dependable, compassionate, and passionate about animal care, we’d love to meet you!

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!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

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