Lead Kennel Assistant

As the Kennel Lead you care for our boarding guests and ensure they receive top-quality daily care, feeding, and exercise. You also serve as shift lead, guiding the kennel team, making real-time decisions, and keeping operations running smoothly when management isn’t present. You monitor pets for signs of stress or illness, support the team with workflow and questions, and ensure all standards of care, cleanliness, and safety are consistently met.

• Provide hands-on care to boarding guests as needed and ensure all pets receive appropriate daily care, including feeding, watering, exercise, and enrichment according to individual instructions.
• Conduct regular kennel walkthroughs to monitor for signs of illness, injury, or stress (vomiting, diarrhea, appetite or behavior changes), ensuring concerns are documented and communicated promptly.
• Administer boarding medications as directed and ensure accurate documentation on kennel medication boards and records. Monitor kennel staff for accuracy.
• Serve as shift lead in the absence of management, helping coordinate daily kennel operations and supporting smooth workflow throughout the shift.
• Respond to staff questions or concerns and assist with prioritization and decision-making as situations arise.
• Ensure all scheduled services, including baths, playtimes, and TLC requests, are completed and documented as expected.

• Support client communication by ensuring pet parents receive routine updates and are informed of any concerns, changes, or notable events during their pet’s stay.
• Relay information between the kennel team, reception, and management to ensure consistent and accurate communication.

• Assist with training of new kennel staff, reinforcing care standards, safety protocols, and daily routines.
• Monitor ongoing training and performance of current kennel staff and provide feedback or support as needed.

• Participate in and help coordinate daily cleaning and sanitation tasks to maintain a safe and healthy kennel environment.
• Assist with delegation and follow-through on operational tasks such as yard upkeep, supply stocking, inventory tracking, and maintenance of MSDS and safety documentation.

• Must be able to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and handle pets for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Temperatures and surfaces.

• Confidence and professionalism around animals and pets.
• Knowledge of proper animal restraint techniques and infectious disease control.
• Ability to guide, support, and mentor kennel team members.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills to handle real-time situations during your shift.
• Organizational skills to manage workflow, follow up on tasks, and ensure standards are met.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have or be in the process of obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Commitment to upping our Core Values, Mission Statement, and standards of care.

As part of the Mission Pet Health family, you get the stability of a local practice backed by the comprehensive benefits and resources of a larger network. The focus is on investing in you, so you can focus on what you love.

Note:

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you at every stage. Eligibility for specific benefits varies based on your role and hours worked.

A competitive hourly rate or salary based on your experience and role.

We offer comprehensive coverage options including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, along with access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all teammates.

Plan for your future with our 401k retirement options and additional financial protection benefits like Life Insurance and Disability coverage.

We support your career goals with opportunities for professional development, including educational assistance for qualified teammates to enroll in AVMA-accredited veterinary technician programs.

Join a nationwide community of over 20,000 veterinary professionals who share a passion for collaboration, career growth, and sharing best practices.

Enjoy discounted veterinary care for your own pets, access to an online discount platform, and free 24/7 access to doctors through Teladoc.

Mission Pet Health was founded by veterinarians on the belief that local practices thrive with clinical autonomy, collaboration, and medical excellence. The organization provides world-class support to its 850+ hospital teams on a hyper-local basis so they can focus on what matters most: the medicine, their patients, and their team culture. Learn more at

Driving the award-winning culture are the WAG values –
Work Together, Amaze, and Grow
. Mission Pet Health is veterinarian-led,…