Kennel Tech

Lake Forest Kennel Club; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Forest Kennel Club in Lake Forest, IL is seeking a Kennel Tech to care for dogs, cats and small exotics in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. This is a full-time, hourly position with indoor and outdoor duties including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and monitoring welfare.

You will work with a team of animal-care professionals, follow medication administration protocols, log care activities, and participate in ongoing training to uphold high standards of safety and welfare.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in professional pet care or animal-handling environment.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions for feeding, medications, and logs.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with animals.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for dogs, cats, and small exotics, including feeding, cleaning, and monitoring well-being.
• Supervise outdoor play sessions and walks, ensuring safe interactions.
• Administer medications as directed and log care activities.
• Maintain kennels, play areas, and bedding clean and sanitary.
• Observe animals for signs of stress or illness and report concerns.

Skills

Pet care experience

Teamwork

English communication

Physical stamina

Job description

As a Kennel Tech on the Lake Forest Kennel Club team, you will play a key role in the daily care, comfort, and safety of dogs, cats, and small exotic pets. This full-time, hourly position involves both indoor and outdoor responsibilities, including cleaning, feeding, enrichment, and supervised playtime. You will work closely with a team of animal care professionals, learning and applying best practices in professional pet care, medication administration, and food preparation. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about animals, eager to learn, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where animal welfare is the top priority.

What You'll Do

• Provide daily care for dogs, cats, and small exotics, including feeding, watering, cleaning, and monitoring overall well-being.
• Supervise and participate in outdoor play sessions and walks with dogs, ensuring safe, positive, and controlled interactions.
• Prepare and serve meals according to specific feeding instructions and special dietary requirements.
• Administer oral and topical medications as directed, carefully following dosage and timing instructions.
• Clean and sanitize kennels, play yards, litter boxes, feeding areas, and common spaces to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.
• Observe animals for signs of stress, illness, injury, or behavioral changes and promptly report concerns to supervisors or management.
• Assist with safe handling, leashing, and movement of animals of varying sizes, ages, and temperaments.
• Support playgroup activities by monitoring dog behavior, managing play styles, and intervening when necessary to maintain safety.
• Provide basic grooming-related care such as brushing, wiping paws, and maintaining clean bedding and living areas.
• Accurately follow written and verbal instructions related to feeding schedules, medication logs, and special care notes.
• Maintain detailed records of feeding, medications, eliminations, and notable behaviors or health observations.
• Communicate effectively with team members to coordinate animal care routines and ensure consistent standards across shifts.
• Assist with intake and departure procedures, helping to settle new animals in and prepare animals for pick-up when needed.
• Learn and apply new animal care techniques, handling methods, and safety procedures as part of ongoing training.
• Uphold all facility policies, safety protocols, and animal welfare standards at all times.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in professional pet care, animal handling, or a closely related animal-care environment (kennel, daycare, shelter, veterinary clinic, or similar).
• Genuine passion for dogs and other companion animals, with a strong commitment to safe, compassionate, high-quality animal care.
• Comfortable working hands-on with dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, energy levels, and temperaments, as well as cats and small exotics.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions for feeding, medications, special diets, and behavioral or medical notes.
• Basic knowledge of or experience with medication administration for pets (oral, topical, or other forms) or willingness to be trained.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, standing and walking for extended periods, and safely handling animals that pull or may be reactive on leash.
• Strong observational skills with the ability to recognize signs of stress, discomfort, illness, or unusual behavior in animals.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, sometimes noisy environment with exposure to cleaning agents, pet hair, and outdoor weather conditions.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work a consistent full-time, hourly schedule, including weekends and holidays as needed for animal care.
• Good communication skills in English, with the ability to document care activities clearly and collaborate with team members.
• Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn new skills, take direction, and adapt to changing animal care needs.
• High level of integrity and trustworthiness when working around client pets and facility property.

About Lake Forest Kennel Club

Lake Forest Kennel Club is part of Digs Dog Care, a premium dog care company offering DayPlay, Overnight Stays, Grooming, and Training across multiple locations nationwide. We're built on a simple belief: every pup deserves to feel safe, loved, and at home — and every team member plays a real role in making that happen. Our shared ownership program means employees don't just work here, they have a stake in it.

The pay range for this role is:

16 - 18 USD per hour (Lake Forest Kennel Club)