Kennel Attendant

Summary of Purpose

The Kennel Attendant is responsible for providing high-quality daily care, enrichment, and support to shelter animals while maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. This position works with a variety of dogs and may assist with cats and other shelter animals as needed.

The role extends beyond feeding and cleaning and includes administering medications as directed, monitoring animals for signs of illness or distress, maintaining infection-control and sanitation protocols, assisting with behavior training and socialization, and supporting adoption efforts. The Kennel Attendant is expected to consistently follow all Animal Care Society (ACS) protocols and uphold the organization’s high standards of animal welfare.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

● Provide dogs with appropriate food and fresh water daily and as needed throughout the day.

● Clean and sanitize indoor kennels, outdoor kennels, yards, and animal-care areas according to established ACS protocols.

● Maintain a clean, organized, and safe dog building, including sweeping, mopping, removing trash, cleaning windows, putting away deliveries, keeping hallways clear, and maintaining organized work areas.

● Wash and sanitize food and water bowls, toys, crates, bedding, and enrichment items according to ACS infection-control and sanitation protocols.

● Thoroughly clean and sanitize dog crates following each use.

● Follow all safety procedures when handling and using cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and other supplies.

● Complete laundry duties, including washing, drying, folding, and properly storing laundry, bedding, and toys.

● Provide appropriate enrichment, exercise, and socialization to shelter animals in accordance with individual animal needs and ACS protocols.

● Monitor animals throughout the day for changes in behavior, appetite, elimination, physical condition, or other signs of illness, injury, stress, or distress. Promptly report concerns to the Shelter Operations Manager and/or Intake/Medical Technician.

● Administer and accurately document medications and treatments as directed by veterinary staff and/or Medical Technicians.

● Assist with behavior modification, training, handling, and socialization activities as directed by appropriate staff.

● Follow all animal-handling, safety, Fear Free, infection-control, and shelter protocols.

● Work collaboratively with Adoption Counselors, volunteers, medical staff, and other team members to support animal welfare, kennel operations, and successful adoptions.

● Provide accurate and appropriate information about animals to Adoption Counselors and other staff to support adoption placement.

● Immediately report damaged kennels, fencing, equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or other issues that may affect the operation or safety of the shelter.

● Assist staff members, adopters, donors, volunteers, and other visitors in a friendly, professional, and respectful manner as a representative of ACS.

● Provide instruction and guidance to volunteers regarding appropriate animal handling, cleaning procedures, enrichment, and ACS protocols as directed.

● Sort, distribute, and properly store donations and supplies. Ensure donations designated for the Re-Tail Thrift Store are placed in the appropriate donation area daily.

● Complete daily cleaning, animal-care, and operational checklists as assigned by the supervisor.

● Attend and actively participate in required staff meetings, trainings, and other scheduled meetings.

● Provide excellent customer service to individuals visiting the shelter, including adopters, donors, volunteers, fosters, and members of the public.

● Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling animal, adopter, staff, volunteer, and organizational information.

● Cross-train in Adoption Counselor responsibilities, including front-desk operations, customer service, adoption processes, and cat care, as needed.

● Assist with special events, adoption events, outreach activities, and other shelter functions as assigned.

● Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Animal Care Society’s mission and overall shelter operations.

Qualifications & Skills

● Minimum of one year of professional experience working with animals in an animal shelter, veterinary facility, rescue, boarding facility, kennel, or other animal-care setting preferred.

● Previous shelter or kennel experience strongly preferred.

● Knowledge of basic animal behavior, safe animal handling, and positive-reinforcement training techniques preferred.

● High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

● Genuine compassion for animals and a strong commitment to humane animal care and welfare.

● Ability to safely and appropriately handle dogs of varying sizes, ages, temperaments, and behavioral needs.

● Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to changes in animal behavior, health, or well-being.

● Fear Free Certified or willing and able to obtain certification within the required timeframe.

● Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.

● Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to listen and communicate effectively.

● Ability to work cooperatively with staff, volunteers, adopters, donors, and members of the public.

● Ability to work independently, follow established protocols, and accept direction from supervisors.

● Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, physically demanding, and sometimes stressful environment.

● Ability to prioritize tasks and make appropriate decisions while maintaining animal safety and welfare.

● Willingness and ability to learn and accurately use shelter software systems for animal records, communication, scheduling, and other operational needs.

● Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

● Ability to successfully complete required criminal background and Kentucky Animal Abuse Registry checks.

● Physical stamina and ability to perform repetitive and labor-intensive tasks throughout the workday.

● Flexibility and willingness to work weekends, holidays, and varying schedules as required by shelter operations.

Physical Demands & Working Environment

● Position requires extended periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and stretching.

● Ability to work for extended periods on your feet and perform physically demanding tasks throughout the workday.

● Ability to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance.

● Ability to safely handle and control large, energetic, fearful, stressed, or reactive animals using appropriate handling techniques and equipment.

● Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments and may involve exposure to extreme heat, cold, rain, humidity, and other weather conditions.

● Regular exposure to animal hair, dander, dust, cleaning chemicals, odors, noise, and animal waste.

● May be exposed to animals that are sick, injured, frightened, or exhibiting unpredictable behavior.

● Ability to safely use cleaning equipment, disinfectants, chemicals, and other shelter equipment while following established safety procedures.

● Must follow all applicable personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitation, infection-control, and workplace safety requirements.

● Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Pay: $14.00 - $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 30.0 per week

Work Location: In person