Part Time Kennel Assistant - Laguna Hills Animal Hospital

Part Time Kennel Assistant

PetVet Care Centers' Laguna Hills Animal Hospital is currently seeking a Part Time Kennel Assistant to join our team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Kennel Assistant who supports and adds value to an efficient organization dedicated to quality care and exceptional service. This position supports veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment; feeding, exercising, restraining and handling pets.

Laguna Hills Animal Hospital has been caring for the pets and families of Laguna Woods, CA since 1966, making it one of Orange County's most enduring and trusted veterinary practices with nearly 60 years of community roots. The hospital offers a comprehensive suite of services — from primary care, dentistry, and surgery to ultrasound, digital radiology, boarding, and grooming — all within a warm, friendly environment where team members are known for building close, long-lasting bonds with their clients and patients.

Why Join Us:

• Join a large, fast-paced veterinary hospital with a fun, supportive team, loyal clients, and excellent opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides compassionate care to pets
• Feeds animals as prescribed by the attending Veterinarian or as the owner has requested; records appetites; water intake, as well as fecal and urine production
• Recognizes and reports any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors and monitors pets for signs of distress or disease.
• Assists Veterinarians and technicians with pet restraint
• Maintains the cleanliness of the hospital each day; cleans equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensures the safe use of chemicals
• Follows a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards, and related areas; changes litter boxes and food/water bowls
• Completes the weekly and monthly chore list to maintain hospital cleanliness, equipment, and the overall appearance of the hospital
• Correctly prioritizes tasks
• Maintains laundry for the kennel and hospital
• Provides patients with fresh, clean bedding when appropriate
• Walks patients according to schedule
• Understands and carries out oral and written directions
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Remain professional and courteous to clients and co-workers while handling multiple tasks at once with many interruptions.
• Learn and understand our services and health recommendations and be able to clearly communicate these to clients.
• Be able to deal with difficult and/or aggressive patients in an effective manner meanwhile keeping yourself, the pet, and co-workers safe
• Performs other duties as assigned by Manager.

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• Willing to train the right person.
• Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors
• Must be flexible with scheduling and able to work some weekends and holiday
• This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion
• Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking
• May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds)
• Provide compassionate care to pets
• Receives animals to be admitted weighing them upon entry; ensures that they have proper identification and records their respective locations
• Examines patients for external parasites such as fleas and/or ticks
• Communicates in a positive manner with owners and ensures that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)
• Gives hospital and kennel tours; highlights key features that differentiate our kennel/hospital from others in the area
• Feeds animals as prescribed by the attending Veterinarian or as the owner has requested; records appetites; water intake, as well as fecal and urine production
• Recognizes and reports any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors and monitors pets for signs of distress or disease.
• Gives baths to and brushes pets
• Assists Veterinarians and technicians with the administration of medications or with pet restraint
• Maintains the cleanliness of the hospital each day; cleans equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensures the safe use of chemicals
• Follows a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards and related areas; changes litter boxes and food/water bowls
• Completes the weekly and monthly chore list to maintain hospital cleanliness, equipment, and overall appearance of the hospital
• Correctly prioritizes tasks
• Maintains laundry for the kennel, grooming, and hospital
• Provides patients with fresh, clean bedding when appropriate
• Walks or brings dogs into the yard for exercising
• Maintains the grounds of the property including waste disposal; responsible for light maintenance of landscape upkeep and general building maintenance
• Prepares pets for discharge; gathers toys, bedding, medications, and food; checks pets for cleanliness, and measures and records their exit weights for comparison against their entry weights
• Releases pets to their owners as directed; ensures that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release
• Understands and carries out oral and written directions
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Remain professional and courteous to clients and co-workers while handling multiple tasks at once with many interruptions.
• Learn and understand our services and health recommendations and be able to clearly communicate these to clients.
• Be able to deal with difficult and/or aggressive patients in an effective manner meanwhile keeping yourself, the pet, and co-workers safe
• Performs other duties as assigned by Manager.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• High school diploma or GED
• Some experience working at a kennel or animal hospital preferred
• May consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience

Schedule

• Opening: 7AM-4PM and Closing shifts: 10AM-7PM
• We are open 7 days a week so shifts will vary every week. Weekends and weekdays are needed.
• Can work with people who have some schedule requirements. but would like someone with flexibility.

Pay Range

$16.90—$17.50 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared