Kennel Technician Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a kennel technician. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a kennel technician.
Who is a Kennel Technician?
A kennel technician is a person who works in a kennel where cats, dogs, and other pets are kept. A kennel is a place where owners can put their dogs, cats, or other pets if the owner needs temporary care for the animal. Kennel technicians also work in animal shelters, sometimes in veterinary practices or in other places where large numbers of animals are kept in kennels.
The role of the kennel technician is to assist in the care of the animals. Although these workers are not usually licensed veterinarians and have no formal training in animal care, many people who work in kennels love animals and know what it takes to care of them positively. Most people working in this profession receive significant on-the-job training in how to treat animals positively.
The exact duties of a kennel technician depend on the nature of the kennel in which they work. Some kennels for private owners and even some animal shelters or rescue services offer “cage-free” kennels. In a cage-free kennel, the kennel technician helps to maintain order and ensures that there are no problems between the animals.
Standard kennels contain cages that house the animals. In these kennels, the technician may be called upon to walk the animals for exercise. In these environments, a kennel technician may also be responsible for periodically cleaning up animal waste in the cage.
Many owners need to temporarily house their animals in a kennel for various reasons. For example, if an owner goes on holiday, he may not be able to take his dog with him. In this case, the dog may be placed in the care of a kennel that employs animal care specialists.
In these private kennels, a kennel technician can be used to meet the needs of the owner of the animals.
As a general rule, anyone who wants to become a kennel technician must love animals. Although a university degree is not required, experience in the animal care field or a degree in a related field may help the technician obtain employment.
Kennel Technician Job Description
Below are the kennel technician job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a kennel technician include the following:
- Providing food and water to the animals according to a set schedule
- Taking animals out for walks and cleaning up after them.
- Cleaning and disinfecting kennels, equipment, and other items.
- Helping to groom and bathe animals
- Interacting with animal owners and checking animals in and out of kennels.
- Checking the condition of animals and contacting owners if necessary.
- Keeping records of animals’ physical condition, feeding, and other activities while in the kennel.
- Administering medication to animals under the supervision of veterinarians or veterinary technicians.
- Assisting veterinary technicians in treating animals
- Feeding and giving water to animals, and administering medication if necessary.
- Observing the health of the animals in their care by identifying signs of illness or distress and reporting any problems to the supervisor
- Participating in training sessions with new staff on the proper handling of different types of animals.
- Training new staff in procedures for caring for animals in their care.
- Preparing animals for shows or competitions, e.g. by bathing and trimming nails.
Qualifications
A kennel technician will normally have the following qualifications:
Education
Kennel technicians normally require a high school diploma or a general education degree (GED). Some kennel technicians may require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in animal science, veterinary science, or a related field. In these programs, students study animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, and genetics.
Training and experience
Kennel technicians usually receive on-the-job training from their supervisors or other experienced kennel technicians. Training may include kennel cleaning and disinfection, feeding and grooming, and animal handling and restraint. Training may also include the use of cleaning and disinfection equipment, recording and reporting animal information, and handling and disposal of animal waste.
Certification and licensing
Kennel technicians are typically certified through the American Kennel Club’s Canine Specialist Certification Program. This program allows kennel technicians to evaluate and treat common diseases and injuries in dogs.
Essential Skills
- Communication skills
As a kennel technician, you interact daily with co-workers, supervisors, and possibly clients. Strong verbal communication skills will help you speak clearly and confidently to these people. Listening skills are also important, as kennel technicians often work under the supervision of others. Being able to listen and follow instructions you receive can help you build trust with your colleagues.
- Customer Service
As mentioned earlier, some kennel technician occupations may require you to communicate with customers or clients. In addition to communication skills, you can use empathy to build strong relationships with the people you serve. These skills will help you understand the company’s customers, which will help you do your job in a way that meets or exceeds their expectations. They may also expect you to look after their pets. Positive or knowledgeable interactions with customers will help you gain their trust.
- Responsibility
Caring for animals requires a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that you provide a safe and positive experience for them. You can demonstrate responsibility by carrying out your assigned tasks quickly, efficiently, and accurately. When supervisors see you performing your tasks without much supervision or prompting, such as cleaning animal cages, they may have more confidence in your abilities. Their confidence can lead to career development opportunities.
- Problem-solving
As a kennel technician, you are responsible for observing the pets in your care and looking after their welfare. When you spot problems, your knowledge of animal care and your problem-solving skills will help you develop appropriate solutions. For example, if you notice that a dog is behaving strangely, you can examine and analyze the situation to determine the next steps to take. If you are unable to find or implement a solution yourself, you can ask a supervisor or colleague for help.
- Patience
Even if you enjoy working with animals, it can sometimes be difficult. Animals communicate and behave differently from humans, so you may sometimes find yourself in unpleasant or difficult situations. Patience will help you to cope with the situation and continue to care for the animals, even if you are under great stress. Similarly, calm behavior will help you to create a more comfortable environment for nervous or stressed animals.
- Attention to detail
Kennel technicians may need to record information about the time animals spend in the kennel and provide it to managers or clients. Their attention to detail ensures that their work is accurate. They also do a lot of cleaning work. This skill can therefore help them to identify and thoroughly clean all areas and items necessary to ensure a safe and healthy environment. This cleanliness helps to maintain high-quality standards and a positive reputation for the company.
- Organization
Being organized means being able to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. As a kennel technician, you may be responsible for keeping records of each animal in your care. You might also be responsible for keeping equipment clean and well-maintained, therefore your organizational skills will help you complete all necessary tasks promptly.
- Restraint techniques
Kennel technicians must be able to restrain animals when necessary. This may involve subduing an aggressive dog that is attempting to bite a person, or physically restraining the animal while another staff member performs a particular procedure on the animal
Restraint techniques can also help kennel technicians protect themselves when dealing with potentially dangerous animals. For example, if they have to move an aggressive dog into a smaller cage, they can use restraint techniques to prevent the dog from injuring the people around.
How to Become a Kennel Technician
If you want to work as a kennel technician, you can use the following steps as a guide to getting a job in this field:
- Get a secondary education
There are usually no specific educational requirements to work as a kennel technician. However, employers tend to look for candidates with a high school diploma. Although not required, you can take animal science-related courses as a high school student to broaden your knowledge and understanding of animals. As mentioned, kennel technicians sometimes work for veterinarians. This knowledge can help you prepare for a career in veterinary science. If you have not completed secondary school, you can obtain a certificate of registration at any time after you reach the age of 16.
- Gain relevant experience
Employers often value applicants who are passionate about animals or who have relevant experience working with animals. You can find many opportunities to demonstrate these qualities, whether through voluntary work or employment. For example, you can work as a dog walker or pet sitter to practice basic animal care skills such as walking and feeding animals.
You may also find volunteer opportunities at animal shelters. Depending on the shelter, you may receive training that will prepare you for full-time or part-time employment as a kennel technician. Working in shelters can help you assess your interest in becoming a kennel technician.
- Explore continuing education opportunities
Although not required by employers, you can take additional education or training to prepare for a job as a kennel technician. You can also explore local vocational schools or community colleges to find certificate or associate degree programs related to animal care and management. An associate degree program can take up to two years to complete, while a certificate program can take one year or less.
If possible, try to choose programs that focus on pets, as these skills may be more relevant to the profession. These programs can provide you with specialized knowledge and skills related to the care and handling of animals. Depending on the program, you may even learn procedures for treating sick or injured animals. Some institutions have partnerships with local animal care facilities and joining them can allow you to gain relevant practical experience as a student.
- Consider certification
Although certification is not mandatory, it can demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills to work as a kennel technician. Going the extra mile to get certified can also demonstrate your interest and passion for the field. You can search professional animal or pet care associations for potentially suitable certifications.
For example, the Professional Animal Care Certification Board offers the Certified Professional Animal Caregiver designation. Although not directly related, the National Association of Professional Pet Caregivers and Pet Sitters International offers pet care certifications that can demonstrate your relevant and transferable skills in this field. The requirements for these certifications vary – depending on the program, you may need to have some work experience, letters of recommendation, or pass an exam to get certified.
- Apply for kennel technician jobs
As mentioned, the minimum requirements for a job as a kennel technician include a high school diploma or GED and relevant experience. Some employers offer on-the-job training, which provides you with the specific skills and knowledge needed to perform the job duties, even if you have no experience. When applying for a job, be sure to read the advert carefully to assess the qualifications required by the employer.
You can highlight the relevance of your skills, experience, or interests to these requirements in your CV and the interview. By including details that are relevant to the employer, you can demonstrate how you can support their team and be useful to them. As mentioned, having additional training or certifications can help demonstrate your competence and interest in the field. It can also help you stand out from other candidates.
Where to Work as a Kennel Technician
Kennel technicians work in animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and other animal care facilities. They are responsible for the day-to-day care of the animals in their facility, which includes feeding, watering, and exercising the animals. They also administer medications and vaccines and provide other medical care as directed by the veterinarian. Kennel technicians generally work 40 hours a week, but may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays to take care of the animals. The work can be physically demanding, and a kennel technician must be able to lift 50 pounds or more. They must also be able to handle animals of all sizes and temperaments and not be afraid to work with cleaning chemicals and other potentially dangerous materials.
Kennel Technician Salary Scale
The average annual salary of a Kennel Technician in the United States and Canada is $33510 and $37,365 respectively. In the United Kingdom, the average annual salary of a Kennel Technician is £20,400.