Kennel Assistant

About Us

The Humane Society of Jackson County is a private, non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to providing short-term shelter care, promoting responsible pet ownership, and matching homeless animals with loving forever families. We are looking for a compassionate, hard-working, and reliable Kennel Assistant to join our dedicated team. If you want to make a direct, positive impact on the lives of rescue animals every single day, we want to hear from you!

Job Summary

As a Kennel Assistant, you are the backbone of our shelter operations. You will ensure that every animal in our care has a clean, safe, and stress-free environment while waiting for adoption. This hands-on role involves intensive daily cleaning, feeding, animal enrichment, and monitoring pet health.

Core Responsibilities

• Sanitation & Maintenance: Perform thorough daily cleaning and disinfecting of animal kennels, cages, outdoor runs, and common areas. Wash animal laundry, dishes, and handle waste disposal.
• Animal Care & Feeding: Provide fresh food and water to shelter animals according to specific dietary instructions and schedules.
• Enrichment & Exercise: Manage play yard activities and provide crucial socialization and comfort to cats and dogs.
• Health Monitoring: Watch closely for behavioral changes, signs of illness, or stress, and report concerns promptly to shelter leadership.
• Public Interaction: Greet potential adopters, assist with visiting hours, and help facilitate positive adoption meet-and-greets.

Qualifications & Skills

• Animal Passion: A strong, demonstrable love for animals and a commitment to animal welfare.
• Physical Capability: Ability to stand, bend, and kneel for extended periods and safely lift heavy items (such as 40–50 lb bags of food or supplies).
• Resilience: Comfortable working in variable weather and around heavy cleaning chemicals, animal waste, loud noises, and diverse animal temperaments.
• Schedule Flexibility: Willingness to work mornings, afternoons, and/or weekends as well as some holidays as animal care is a 365-day operation.
• Experience: Prior experience in a veterinary clinic, boarding kennel, or rescue shelter is preferred but not required—we will train the right candidate!

Pay: $11.00 - $14.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person