Kennel Assistant

Key Responsibilities

The Animal Care Center of Polaris is seeking a dedicated, hardworking, and animal-loving Kennel Assistant to join our team. Your primary focus will be ensuring that all boarding and daycare animals are kept safe, clean, fed, and comfortable. This is a critical role that maintains the highest standards of cleanliness throughout our facility and directly impacts the health and happiness of our patients.

This is an entry-level position with excellent opportunities to learn and grow within the veterinary field.

• Daily Maintenance:
  Feed, water, and exercise patients and boarding animals according to specific instructions and schedules.
• Walking & Solitary Time:
  Provide safe leash-walking for dogs in designated outdoor areas and ensure cats receive proper litter box maintenance and attention.
• Patient Monitoring:
  Observe animals closely for any signs of illness, discomfort, or changes in behavior (such as lack of appetite or lethargy) and immediately report findings to the veterinary team.
• Comfort & Grooming:
  Bathe patients as requested and ensure all cages and runs are stocked with clean, dry bedding.

• Kennel Sanitation:
  Deep-clean, scrub, and disinfect cages, runs, and cat condos using hospital-grade cleaners to prevent the spread of disease.
• Laundry Management:
  Run continuous loads of laundry to keep the clinic stocked with clean towels, and blankets.
• General Housekeeping:
  Sweep, mop, take out trash, and maintain clean common areas, treatment areas, and outdoor pet waste stations.
• Stocking Supplies:
  Keep food storage areas, cleaning supply closets, and kennel areas organized and fully stocked.

• Experience:
  
  No prior veterinary experience required; prior experience in animal shelters, doggy daycares, or pet grooming is highly valued. We are happy to train the right candidate!
• Education:
  
  High school diploma or equivalent (or currently enrolled student if applying for part-time/weekend shifts).
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Must be comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs. unassisted and spending the majority of the shift standing, bending, lifting, and walking.
• Availability:
  Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays to ensure continuous animal care.
• Attributes: A strong work ethic, attention to detail, compassion for animals, and a positive, team-oriented attitude.