Animal Care Attendant Jobs
Animal Care Attendant jobs are open across veterinary clinics, animal shelters, boarding facilities, and zoos, from entry-level to experienced positions, with specializations in exotic animal care, kennel management, and veterinary assistance. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Lake Forest Animal Hospital, located on the outskirts of Lynchburg, Virginia is a small animal veterinary practice offering general practice, emergency, surgery, and dental services. Its team of veterinarians has a wealth of experience, one of whom — along with the practice manager — has been working there since it first opened. To date, many of its clientele have been bringing their pets to Lake Forest just as long for all of their veterinary needs. Lake Forest Animal Hospital has gained a reputation for its excellent care, recently earning the Lynchburg Living Bronze award for their level of dedication! Our close knit, family oriented, skilled and experienced team of doctors work extremely well together and we strive to provide schedules that work well for each member and their families.
Kennel Attendant
Compensation: $12.77/hour, commensurate with licensure and experience
Position Summary:
The Kennel Attendant plays an essential role in maintaining the health, comfort, and safety of hospitalized and boarding pets while supporting the veterinary team in daily hospital operations. This position ensures the hospital environment is clean, organized, and welcoming, and provides compassionate care to all animals during their stay.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide daily care for boarded animals, including feeding, watering, walking, bathing, and monitoring behavior and health.
- If applicable, kennel attendants may provide care to hospitalized patients only when directed and supervised by the medical team.
- Safely transport animals between kennels, exam rooms, and the lobby, ensuring gentle handling and patient comfort.
- Assist veterinarians and technicians with restraint, positioning, and minor procedures as directed.
- Follow detailed feeding, medication, and exercise instructions for boarding pets.
- Monitor and report any health or behavioral changes in animals to kennel leadership/medical team promptly.
- Maintain cleanliness, disinfection, and organization of all kennels, runs, and facility areas, including outdoor spaces, in accordance with hospital protocols and operating standards.
- Support a positive client experience by greeting owners, answering phones, assisting with belongings, and ensuring clear and calm communication throughout the boarding process.
- Assist in completion of daily opening, closing, and cleaning checklists to a high standard.
- Manage inventory of cleaning and kennel supplies and report replenishment needs as appropriate.
- Unpack and organize deliveries, restock treatment and exam areas, and remove expired or damaged items as needed.
- Work collaboratively and proactively with team members, offering help whenever needed to support smooth hospital operations.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Previous experience in a kennel, animal care, or boarding facility preferred.
- Commitment to cleanliness, safety, and compassionate animal care.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely handle animals up to 150 pounds.
- Comfortable sitting, standing, walking, bending, and kneeling for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Professional, neat appearance consistent with hospital standards.
Hours:
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule and be available for scheduling during all hours the practice is open to support hospital operations
Compensation and Benefits:
- We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. In addition, employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include paid time off, paid holidays and access to employee assistance program.
Animal Care Attendant Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal care attendant jobs.
- Experience handling and restraining dogs, cats, and small animals safely
- Ability to maintain clean, sanitary enclosures and kennel areas throughout shifts
- Familiarity with feeding schedules, medication logs, and basic animal health monitoring
- Physical ability to lift animals and supplies, often up to 50 pounds
- Strong observation skills to identify signs of illness, injury, or behavioral distress
- High school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training typically provided
Tips for Your Animal Care Attendant Job Search
Tailor your resume for each setting
A shelter-focused resume should highlight intake procedures and behavioral assessments, while a veterinary clinic role calls for clinical support and medication handling. Swap those details for every application rather than sending one generic version.
Earn a recognized animal care certification
Certifications like the PACCC or a Fear Free credential separate you from candidates with similar experience. Even completing a short course in animal handling or wildlife rehabilitation signals to hiring managers that you take the work seriously.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists animal care attendant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by species, not just job title
Many openings for reptile handlers, avian care specialists, or exotic animal technicians use department-specific titles rather than 'animal care attendant.' Search those species and setting terms to find roles that match your hands-on background.
Prepare for a working interview before you go
Many animal care employers ask candidates to handle or observe animals during the interview itself. Know how to read basic stress signals in dogs and cats, and be ready to demonstrate safe restraint techniques calmly and without hesitation.
Follow up with a note that shows retention
After your interview, send a follow-up that references a specific animal you observed or a protocol you discussed. It shows genuine attention to that facility's work, not a copy-paste message sent to every employer on your list.
Animal Care Attendant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most animal care attendants?
iVET360, UTHealth Houston, and Animal Care Center are hiring the most animal care attendants right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, Virginia, and Arizona, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Availability shifts frequently, so checking back regularly gives you the best shot at current openings.
How many animal care attendant jobs are remote?
About 0% of animal care attendant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include animal welfare coordination, rescue dispatch, and donor relations for shelter organizations.
How do you become an animal care attendant?
Start by gaining direct experience with animals through volunteering at a local shelter, rescue organization, or veterinary office. Build familiarity with common handling techniques, sanitation protocols, and basic health monitoring. A certification in animal care or Fear Free handling strengthens your application. From there, apply to entry-level positions at shelters, boarding facilities, or veterinary clinics to build a formal work history.
Can you get hired as an animal care attendant with no experience?
Yes, many employers will hire candidates with no paid experience if you've volunteered with animals and can demonstrate calm, confident handling. Shelters and boarding kennels in particular often prefer to train from scratch rather than undo bad habits. Highlight any hands-on animal exposure, even informal, and be specific about the species and situations you've encountered.
What does the animal care attendant interview process look like?
Most interviews start with a brief conversation about your animal handling background and comfort level with cleaning and physical work. Many facilities then bring you onto the floor for a working interview where you observe or assist with real animals. Some employers conduct a second conversation with a supervisor or vet tech before making an offer. The full process typically wraps up within a week or two.
Where can I find and apply to animal care attendant jobs?
You can find and apply to animal care attendant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits. New positions are added regularly, so returning to check for fresh openings keeps you ahead of the competition.
See All 12 Animal Care Attendant Jobs
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