Breeding Kennel Manager

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc. • Patterson, NY

7d • $65,000 - $70,000

About The Position

The Breeding Kennel Manager leads daily operations of Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Breeding and Puppy Kennel, overseeing the care and well-being of broods, studs, and young puppies. The role combines hands-on animal care, team leadership, clinical and operational support, and coordination with internal and external partners. The manager works alongside kennel staff, coaching them in real time and ensuring consistent standards of animal husbandry, enrichment, socialization, health monitoring, and welfare.

The manager supervises and develops kennel staff; supports feeding, cleaning, medication administration, health checks, treatments, and other care routines; and coordinates clinical care with veterinary staff. The role also oversees kennel occupancy, dog movement, inventory, facilities, records, emergency preparedness, compliance, and the department budget. The manager collaborates with veterinary, genetics, whelping, and socialization teams; communicates with foster homes; provides kennel tours; and contributes to program improvements and organizational initiatives. Flexible availability is required, including overnight shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays, as well as operational coverage during emergencies or staffing shortages.

Requirements

• Three to five years of leadership experience managing teams, with a strong focus on coaching, team development, and day-to-day supervision.
• Experience supervising staff in an animal care, veterinary kennel, breeding, or similar operational environment.
• Experience handling dogs in a clinical, veterinary, breeding, research, or similar professional environment.
• Solid understanding of dog behavior and puppy development, including the ability to recognize healthy behaviors and support appropriate care using positive methods.
• Flexible availability, including overnight shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Dependability, punctuality, professionalism, and personal integrity.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to adapt, manage competing priorities, and work in a dynamic, fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and keep daily operations running smoothly.
• Sound judgment and ability to assess situations quickly and make confident decisions about animal care and staffing needs.
• Ability to lead by example and support accountability, teamwork, and high-quality animal care.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to foster teamwork, build consensus, and create a collaborative environment across teams.
• Clear, confident communication and ability to coach staff and explain animal behavior and care concepts practically.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfort leading kennel tours and speaking with visitors, volunteers, donors, and community members about the breeding program, canine care, and the organization’s mission.
• Ability to collaborate with veterinary staff, canine program teams, foster volunteers, and other partners.
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a collaborative team.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, foster families, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• Comfort working with cleaning agents and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and sanitation.
• Physical ability to work in an active kennel environment, safely handle, restrain, lift, and control dogs weighing up to 80 pounds, and perform repetitive physical tasks on concrete surfaces.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Salesforce familiarity.
• Knowledge of canine reproductive practices and reproductive laboratory procedures.
• Experience supporting canine, working dog, service dog, livestock, or companion animal breeding programs, including understanding breeding program management, genetic diversity, and population sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Direct and support kennel staff to ensure appropriate coverage for feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and medication administration.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and develop kennel staff; provide hands-on coaching and real-time guidance.
• Oversee staffing operations, including scheduling, performance management, hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development.
• Work alongside staff and provide operational coverage as needed, including daytime or overnight shifts during emergencies, inclement weather, staff shortages, or call-outs.
• Participate in and oversee animal husbandry duties, including feeding, bathing, health checks, grooming, medication, medical treatments, and quarantine procedures.
• Maintain standards for animal welfare, husbandry, enrichment, socialization, and behavioral support.
• Coordinate clinical oversight with veterinary staff and ensure care follows protocols, treatment plans, and welfare standards.
• Maintain medical documentation and medication-handling and treatment protocols; oversee treatments such as vaccines, preventatives, fluid therapy, medication administration, and intensive care protocols as needed.
• Support diagnostics and clinical procedures, including sample collection, testing, x-rays, ultrasound, and DNA sampling.
• Use triage and clinical judgment to identify pain, illness, stress, medication reactions, and urgent conditions, escalating care appropriately.
• Monitor ongoing health and support continuity of medical care in alignment with veterinary guidance.
• Oversee daily Breeding and Puppy Kennel operations to maintain a safe, clean, organized, and efficient environment.
• Monitor kennel occupancy, dog movement, and care needs in support of breeding program objectives.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of food, medications, medical supplies, equipment, and enrichment materials.
• Coordinate facility and equipment maintenance with internal departments.
• Maintain accurate kennel, health, and operational records, with timely and complete documentation.
• Support emergency preparedness and response to maintain continuity of care and operations.
• Collaborate with Veterinary, Genetics, Whelping Kennel, and Home and Early Socialization teams on organizational goals, welfare standards, and care continuity.
• Provide kennel tours and represent Guiding Eyes to visitors, volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders by sharing information about the breeding program, canine care, and the organization’s mission.
• Communicate with foster homes about brood and stud health, care status, needs, and transitions.
• Contribute subject-matter expertise to internal committees, meetings, and projects focused on canine care, breeding operations, kennel management, and program improvement.
• Develop and implement strategies, policies, and procedures to improve the health and well-being of dogs, in collaboration with and subject to approval from the DVM.
• Ensure kennel operations follow established policies, procedures, and care protocols.
• Oversee disease-control, biosecurity, and quarantine compliance.
• Monitor inventory controls, including controlled drug logs, in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for operational efficiency, employee effectiveness, consistency, and quality of care.
• Prepare and manage the department budget, monitor expenses, and operate within approved financial parameters.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the department and organizational mission.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage described as competitive and generous.
• 403(b).
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Permission to bring a well-behaved dog to work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed