Kennel Tech

HAPPY LIFE ANIMAL RESCUE INC; Town of Pawling (NY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company parties

Free food and snacks

Training & development

Employee discounts

Hill's program discounts

Job summary

Happy Life Animal Rescue is seeking a Kennel Technician in Pawling, NY for both part-time and full-time roles. Responsibilities include kennel cleaning, feeding, observation notes, and safety compliance. The role requires weekend availability and the ability to lift 40–50 lb bags of dog food.

The organization is a no-kill rescue for dogs and cats. Benefits include training, development, and a supportive team committed to animal welfare.

Qualifications

• Experience caring for dogs or cats (paid, volunteer, foster, or at home)
• Comfortable handling dogs of various sizes and energy levels
• Reliable and on-time with a dependable schedule
• Able to work weekend shifts
• Able to lift and carry 40–50 lb bags of dog food and assist with larger dogs when needed
• Comfortable with cleaning chemicals and kennel duties

Responsibilities

• Clean and disinfect kennels, cat room, play yards, and common areas according to protocols
• Feed and water dogs and cats on schedule, including special diets
• Record daily observations of animals
• Rotate dogs through play yards and manage group separation
• Monitor animals’ eating, behavior, and health and report changes to staff
• Administer medications as directed by kennel leads
• Perform laundry, dishes, restocking and other kennel tasks
• Follow safety rules and keep the facility welcoming for volunteers and visitors

Skills

Animal care experience

Weekend availability

Punctuality

Ability to lift heavy objects

Daily observations record keeping

Dog and cat handling

Job description

Benefits:

• Company parties
• Free food & snacks
• Training & development
• Employee discounts

Kennel Technician (Part-Time and Full-Time) — Happy Life Animal Rescue, Pawling, NY

Pay: $16–$18 per hour — starts at $16, with room to grow Schedule: Split shifts — mornings (typically 9 a.m.–1 p.m., or 8–11 a.m. on event days) and evenings (typically 5–8 p.m., or 4–7 p.m. on event days). Work both shifts or just one. Weekend shifts are required. Hours: Part-time and full-time (about 30–35 hours a week) openings Location: 550 Route 22, Pawling, NY 12564

About us

Happy Life Animal Rescue is a no-kill rescue for dogs and cats in Pawling, NY. We take in hundreds of animals a year, care for them, and find them homes. We're a small, hands-on team that runs on donations and grants, and every person here makes a difference you can see.

What you'll do

• Clean and disinfect kennels, the cat room, play yards and common areas, following our disinfectant and contact-time protocols
• Feed and water dogs and cats on schedule, including special diets
• Record daily observations
• Rotate dogs through their assigned play yards and keep groups separate
• Watch each animal's eating, behavior and health, and report changes to staff
• Give medications as directed by the kennel tech leads
• Do laundry, dishes, restocking and other daily kennel tasks
• Follow safety rules for handling levels, collar codes and the cat room doors
• Help keep the building welcoming for volunteers and visitors

What we're looking for

• Experience caring for dogs or cats — paid, volunteer, foster or at home all count
• Comfortable handling dogs of all sizes and energy levels, and calm around stressed or shy animals
• Reliable and on time; this job keeps a schedule animals depend on
• Able to work weekend shifts
• Able to lift and carry 40–50 lb bags of dog food and help lift larger dogs when needed, stand and walk for a full shift, and work outdoors in all weather( dogs need to go out in the rain and snow), with or without reasonable accommodation
• Comfortable with cleaning chemicals and with the messier parts of animal care

Nice to have

• Shelter, rescue, kennel, grooming or vet clinic experience
• Knowledge of dog body language and safe handling

Benefits

Discounts on dog and cat food through our Hill's program, training, and more benefits on the way.

Happy Life Animal Rescue is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every background and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, arrest or conviction record, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, New York State or local law. Hiring decisions are based on the needs of the role and each person's ability to do the work.