Veterinary Kennel Assistant - Petaluma, CA

Central Animal Hospital; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition support

Referral bonuses

Health insurance (medical/dental/vison

Job summary

Central Animal Hospital is seeking a motivated Veterinary Kennel Assistant to join our busy team. You’ll help keep patients clean, comfortable, and well cared for behind the scenes, with hands-on training provided.

No prior experience is required—just reliability, a genuine love for animals, and a can-do attitude. This full-time role offers weekends off, competitive pay, and generous benefits to support your growth.

Qualifications

• Previous kennel, animal care, or veterinary experience, welcomed but not required.
• A love of animals and a genuine interest in their comfort and care.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment and the ability to multitask.
• Willingness to handle all aspects of cleaning, including bodily fluids.
• Real enjoyment of cleaning and organizing.
• Reliability and a strong work ethic.
• A positive attitude that balances professionalism and fun.
• Ability to stay on your feet and active throughout your shift.
• Eagerness to learn and grow as a Veterinary Kennel Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Clean and disinfect kennels, runs, and patient areas to keep the hospital safe and sanitary
• Handle all aspects of cleaning, including bodily fluids such as urine, stool, and blood
• Keep supplies, storage, and work areas organized and well stocked
• Help care for hospitalized and boarding patients, keeping them comfortable and clean
• Support the veterinary team behind the scenes so the hospital runs smoothly
• Jump in wherever you’re needed during busy days

Skills

Love of animals

Multitasking

Reliability & work ethic

Positive attitude

Physical stamina

Willingness to learn and grow

Job description

Who we are

Central Animal Hospital is Hiring a Veterinary Kennel Assistant!

Position Details

Role: Veterinary Kennel Assistant

Status: Full-Time

Salary: $18.00 - $19.00/hour

Schedule: Monday - Friday. WEEKENDS OFF!

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

Love staying busy, take pride in a spotless space, and want to spend your day caring for animals? Come help our patients behind the scenes.

Central Animal Hospital is looking for a motivated, reliable Veterinary Kennel Assistant to join our supportive (and fun!) crew. Behind the scenes, you’ll help keep our patients clean, comfortable, and well cared for.

No experience? No problem! We provide hands‑on training and are happy to teach the right person. If you enjoy cleaning and organizing and want to work with a team that truly cares about animals and about each other, this could be the role for you.

Why Our Kennel Assistants Love It Here

• A supportive team that balances professionalism with a whole lot of fun
• Hands‑on training, so you can start without any prior veterinary experience
• Opportunities for growth within the hospital as your skills develop
• Continuing education to help you keep learning
• A busy, active day that never gets boring
• Work that makes a real difference in the comfort and care of every patient

What Our Kennel Assistants Do

• Clean and disinfect kennels, runs, and patient areas to keep the hospital safe and sanitary
• Handle all aspects of cleaning, including bodily fluids such as urine, stool, and blood
• Keep supplies, storage, and work areas organized and well stocked
• Help care for hospitalized and boarding patients, keeping them comfortable and clean
• Support the veterinary team behind the scenes so the hospital runs smoothly
• Jump in wherever you’re needed during busy days

What Our Kennel Assistants Bring

• Previous kennel, animal care, or veterinary experience, welcomed but not required
• A love of animals and a genuine interest in their comfort and care
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced environment and the ability to multitask
• Willingness to handle all aspects of cleaning, including bodily fluids
• Real enjoyment of cleaning and organizing
• Reliability and a strong work ethic
• A positive attitude that balances professionalism and fun
• Ability to stay on your feet and active throughout your shift
• Eagerness to learn and grow as a Veterinary Kennel Assistant

Benefits You Can’t Beat

Financial Benefits

• 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
• Referral bonus program

Wellness Benefits

• 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
• Pet food discount program

Workplace Benefits

• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• Professional development opportunities
• Continuing education allowance
• Uniform allowance

Lifestyle Benefits

• Six paid holidays (full‑time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program

Join Our Team!

If you’re a motivated, reliable Veterinary Kennel Assistant (or ready to become one) and you like a clean, organized space and a team that has fun together, we’d love to meet you. Bring your positive attitude and willingness to learn, and we’ll teach you the rest.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of Central 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 exposing us to various ways to understand and engage with the world. That’s why we’re committed to a workplace culture where employees are comfortable being their authentic selves, feel a complete sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.