Kennel Manager

Kennel Manager

Position Overview

The Kennel Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, cleanliness, scheduling, and overall care of the animals within the kennel department. This position requires a highly organized, detail-oriented, and dependable leader who can thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high standard of animal care.

The ideal candidate is someone who can move quickly without sacrificing attention to detail, effectively manage multiple priorities, and keep their department running smoothly throughout the day. This role is hands-on and requires someone who is comfortable working directly with animals while also leading, training, and holding their team accountable.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care & Kennel Operations

Maintain the health, safety, cleanliness, and overall well-being of all animals in the kennel.

Ensure animals receive proper feeding, watering, cleaning, exercise, and care according to established schedules and individual needs.

Monitor animals closely and identify changes in behavior, appetite, appearance, or health and communicate concerns appropriately.

Bathe animals and perform basic grooming services, including nail trims.

Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary kennels and work areas.

Follow all established animal-care procedures and safety standards.

Ensure daily kennel routines are completed accurately and on schedule.

Scheduling & Organization

Create and maintain consistent daily and weekly kennel schedules.

Coordinate staff assignments to ensure all kennel responsibilities are properly covered.

Prioritize tasks based on animal needs, department workload, and business demands.

Keep the department on schedule during busy periods.

Ensure appointments, animal care, cleaning, feeding, grooming, and other responsibilities are completed within the appropriate timeframes.

Stay ahead of upcoming tasks rather than constantly reacting to problems.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, train, coach, and develop kennel staff.

Clearly communicate expectations, procedures, and daily priorities.

Hold team members accountable for completing their responsibilities correctly and on time.

Monitor employee performance and provide constructive feedback.

Lead by example by maintaining a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and high standard of animal care.

Help create an environment where employees understand both the importance of their work and the expectations of the department.

Department Accountability

Take ownership of the kennel department and its day-to-day performance.

Ensure department standards are consistently maintained, even during high-volume or stressful periods.

Identify operational issues and address them quickly and effectively.

Maintain accurate records and ensure important information is communicated to the appropriate team members.

Communicate department needs, concerns, and opportunities for improvement to management.

Be proactive, dependable, and accountable for the overall condition and performance of the kennel department.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Kennel Manager is:

Highly detail-oriented

Extremely organized and punctual

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

Able to effectively multitask and prioritize

Reliable and accountable

Comfortable working hands-on with animals

Knowledgeable about basic animal care and grooming

Comfortable bathing animals and trimming nails

A strong communicator and team leader

Able to train, coach, and develop employees

Able to remain calm and productive during busy periods

Proactive rather than reactive

Willing to take ownership of problems and find solutions

Passionate about maintaining high standards of animal health, safety, and care

What Success Looks Like

A successful Kennel Manager keeps the department clean, organized, on schedule, and operating efficiently. They know what needs to be done, who needs to do it, and when it needs to be completed.

They don’t wait for someone else to identify problems. They stay ahead of the department, recognize issues early, and take action. They are able to balance the fun and rewarding aspects of working with animals with the responsibility, discipline, and attention to detail required to provide exceptional care.

This is a hands-on leadership position. The Kennel Manager is expected to lead their team while actively participating in the daily operation of the kennel.

Pay: $18.00 - $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person