Pet Care Attendant - Fairfax, VA

Merrifield Animal Hospital; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition support

Paid time off

Pet discounts

Uniform allowance

Health insurance

Six paid holidays

Employee discounts

Job summary

Merrifield Animal Hospital is hiring a Pet Care Attendant to join a caring, animal-focused team in Fairfax. You will care for dogs and boarding guests, maintain clean spaces, and assist the veterinary team with daily tasks.

The role emphasizes hands-on animal care in a busy clinic environment. We value reliability, a positive attitude, and the ability to work Monday through Friday with occasional weekend visits.

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for animal care and welfare.
• Willingness to lift up to 30 pounds and be on your feet throughout shifts.
• Comfort with daily cleaning, feeding, and caring for boarding pets.
• Ability to follow clinic procedures for safety and cleanliness.
• Good communication with clients and teammates.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, engaging environment for dogs during play and daycare.
• Feed and care for boarding pets and monitor welfare.
• Clean and maintain cages, runs, and enclosures to high standards.
• Assist with general hospital upkeep and safety procedures.
• Communicate effectively with clients and team members.
• Support the veterinary team as needed.

Skills

Love for animals

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Job description

Merrifield Animal Hospital is Hiring a Pet Care Attendant!

Role: Pet Care Attendant
Status: Full-time or Part-time schedules available
Salary: Competitive and based on experience
Schedule: Monday–Friday with additional weekend visits required for boarding dogs

Benefits Highlights

Financial Rewards that Grow with You: Competitive pay, 401(k) matching, tuition support, and referral bonuses.

Wellness & Peace of Mind: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with supplemental options; up to three weeks of paid parental leave; generous PTO; and employee pet discounts.

Professional Growth & Recognition: Quarterly team bonuses, professional development opportunities, continuing education allowance, and uniform allowance.

Lifestyle Perks You’ll Appreciate: Six paid holidays, an Employee Assistance Program, and an employee discount program.

Must Love Dogs? You’re in the Right Place!

Is your dating profile tagline “Must Love Dogs”? Do you wish someone would bottle the smell of puppy breath already? Are you happiest when wiping dog drool off of...well, everything?

If so, Merrifield Animal Hospital wants to talk!

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Pet Care Attendant to help us provide exceptional care for our patients and boarding and daycare guests. You’ll spend your days interacting with animals, keeping their spaces clean and comfortable, and helping create the safe, healthy environment every pet deserves.

We know that happy, healthy team members are essential to great patient care. That’s why we value a positive clinic culture, teamwork, and a schedule designed to support life both inside and outside the hospital.

Why Our Pet Care Attendants Love It Here

• Spend your workday caring for and interacting with animals
• Help create a fun and safe environment for our daycare and boarding guests
• Work alongside a supportive veterinary team
• A positive clinic culture where teamwork matters
• A schedule that supports work-life balance
• Opportunities to learn and grow professionally
• A hands-on role where your work directly impacts the comfort and well-being of pets

What Our Pet Care Attendants Do

• Provide a fun, safe, and engaging environment for dogs during camp hours
• Feed and provide daily care for boarding pets
• Clean and maintain dog runs, cages, and cat enclosures
• Help maintain the overall cleanliness of the hospital to high standards
• Monitor pets and help ensure their environment remains safe, healthy, and comfortable
• Follow established animal-care, cleaning, and safety procedures
• Communicate effectively with clients and teammates, both verbally and in writing
• Use basic math skills to complete daily tasks
• Work under the direction of the hospital manager, doctors, and technical team
• Jump in where needed to help keep pets happy and the hospital running smoothly

What You’ll Bring

• A genuine love for animals and commitment to their well-being
• Enthusiasm for a hands-on, active work environment
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and lift throughout your shift
• Ability to regularly lift up to 30 pounds and push/pull up to 50 pounds
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions carefullyClear verbal and written communication skills
• Reliability and a team-first attitude
• Availability Monday through Friday with additional weekend visits for boarding dogs
• Professional animal-care experience is a plus, but not required

The Extras You’ll Actually Feel

This isn’t a sit-behind-a-desk kind of job. You’ll be moving, cleaning, caring, interacting, and probably wearing a little dog hair by the end of the day.

More importantly, you’ll know your work matters. From keeping enclosures spotless to making sure boarding and daycare guests feel safe and cared for, you’ll play an important role in creating a great experience for the animals entrusted to us.

If puppy breath, wagging tails, and the occasional bit of dog drool sound like workplace perks, you may have just found your people.

Benefits You Can’t Beat

Benefit eligibility may vary based on full-time or part-time status. Benefits designated as full-time only are subject to eligibility requirements.

• A flexible approach to compensation that reflects your skill set and future performance
• 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (full-time only)
• 529 Savings Plan
• Tuition Support Program (full-time only)
• Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision (full-time only)
• Supplemental insurance, including accident, critical illness, hospital, short- and long-term disability, legal plan, and employee, spouse, and child-dependent life insurance (full-time only)
• Up to three weeks of full pay for the birth or adoption of a child (full-time employees only; available after one year of service). In states with paid family leave programs, this benefit does not apply.
• Sick Time / Paid Time Off
• Free or discounted lab work for all employee pets
• Pet discounts on services and products
• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• Continuing education allowance
• Six paid holidays (full-time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program

Join Our Team!

Bring your enthusiasm, attention to detail, and love for pets. We’ll provide a supportive environment where you can contribute, grow, and make a difference every day.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at Merrifield Animal Hospital and Vetcor. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all employees. Every team member enriches our diversity by bringing different perspectives and ways of understanding and engaging with the world. That’s why we’re committed to a workplace culture where employees are comfortable being their authentic selves, experience a true sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Training & Development

Unleash your potential and foster professional growth through our comprehensive education and training programs.

• Vetcor University - training for skill development and career growth
• CE Allowance and opportunities
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Lend a Hand Program – increased pay to help a sister hospital
• VetLife Days – rotate to a sister hospital

Enjoy exclusive benefits for you and your furry family members.

• Discounted Products

Health & Welfare

Take care of your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance, Disability, and Accidental Insurance
• EAP with counseling and mental health benefits
• DVM Professional Liability Insurance fully covered
• Licensure Fees, Professional & Association Dues

Financial Wellbeing

Secure your financial future with our range of offerings designed to promote your financial well-being.

• 401K with company contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• EAP with Financial & Legal Advice/Services
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus

Time Off/Work Life Balance

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Training & Development

Unleash your potential and foster professional growth through our comprehensive education and training programs.

• Vetcor University - training for skill development and career growth
• CE Allowance and opportunities
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Lend a Hand Program – increased pay to help a sister hospital
• VetLife Days – rotate to a sister hospital

Enjoy exclusive benefits for you and your furry family members.

• Discounted Products

Health & Welfare

Take care of your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance, Disability, and Accidental Insurance
• EAP with counseling and mental health benefits
• DVM Professional Liability Insurance fully covered
• Licensure Fees, Professional & Association Dues

Financial Wellbeing

Secure your financial future with our range of offerings designed to promote your financial well-being.

• 401K with company contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• EAP with Financial & Legal Advice/Services
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus

Time Off/Work Life Balance

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.