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KA
Kittery Animal Hospital
Kennel and Shelter Assistant
Career Insights for Veterinary Assistant
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What they do
A Veterinary Assistant assists with animals under veterinary care or in laboratories. Feeds animals, cleans cages, and administers medical treatment under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician. Works in a veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or laboratory.
$40,518 / year median in Maine
+26% projected growth
Job Description
Overview We are seeking compassionate and dedicated Kennel and Shelter Assistants to join our Ancillary Animal Care Team. This role involves providing exceptional care and support for animals in our kennel, shelter, and day care facility ensuring their well-being and comfort. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for animal welfare, excellent handling skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Prior experience with pet grooming, veterinary assistance, and animal handling is highly valued. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals while developing valuable skills in animal care and customer service. Responsibilities Clean and maintain kennel areas to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for animals Feed, water, and monitor animals' health and behavior throughout the day Assist with animal intake and discharge Handle animals safely using proper restraint techniques to prevent injury or stress Provide basic pet grooming services such as bathing, brushing, and nail trimming Support veterinary staff with animal examinations, treatments, or procedures as needed Assist with walking dogs and socializing animals to improve their adoptability Perform heavy lifting when necessary to move supplies or animals safely within the kennel and shelter Maintain detailed Computer Medical records of animal health, behavior, and treatment activities Skills Experience with dog training a plus, dog and cat handling a must, and basic pet grooming is prefered Veterinary technician or Veterinary Assistant experience is a big plus Strong animal handling and restraint skills to ensure safety for both animals and staff Knowledge of pet care and animal welfare best practices Excellent customer service skills for interacting with visitors, adopters, and volunteers Ability to perform heavy lifting safely and efficiently Compassionate attitude with a genuine love for animals Ability to work independently as well as part of a team in a dynamic environment This role is vital in supporting our practice mission to offer exceptional care for our clients pets while Mom and Dad are away and allows us to provide compassionate care for rescue animals while helping them find loving forever homes within our community. We welcome motivated individuals eager to contribute positively to our community.