Kennel Assistant at Great Paws Lodge & Day Camp

Great Paws Lodge & Day Camp•Marion, IL

18d

About The Position

Great Paws Lodge & Day Camp provides long-term and short-term full-service dog and cat boarding, with staff trained in the handling and care of cats and dogs. Reporting to the Practice Manager, the Kennel Assistant cares for patients visiting for grooming and/or boarding. The role helps keep boarding areas clean and safe by cleaning cages, runs, and ward areas and washing laundry. The assistant walks and feeds patients and may administer medication when needed under Doctor or Technician supervision, depending on confidence and experience. The position is mostly daytime customer service representative shifts at the front desk of the day camp, boarding, and grooming facility, with some kennel work and shifts. It involves computer use, customer service, animal care, and cleaning tasks. The role calls for patience, compassion, teamwork, clear communication, active listening, and a focus on client satisfaction.

Requirements

Ability to work on weekends as required.
Ability to lift patients up to 25 pounds and lift patients over 25 pounds with assistance.
Practice OSHA safety techniques, including proper use of PPE.
Computer skills, customer service skills, animal skills, and ability to perform cleaning tasks.
Maturity and ability to work at the front desk of a day camp, boarding, and grooming facility.

Nice To Haves

Previous veterinary experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide care for patients visiting for grooming and/or boarding.
Admit patients and record client instructions, contact information, and pickup time.
Accurately record patient information, including feeding schedules, appearance, and behavior during the visit.
Observe patients for general physical condition and signs of illness, disease, or distress.
Handle patients appropriately and restrain hard-to-control patients when needed.
Walk patients several times a day for exercise and elimination.
Provide food and liquids according to normal requirements and give special food or liquids when required.
Ensure patients are clean and fresh smelling and have been checked by a Technician or Doctor before discharge.
Ensure patients leave with all personal property and that cages and patients are correctly numbered and identified.
Store and identify personal property such as toys, treats, blankets, and leashes in the proper areas.
Clean, disinfect, and maintain kennels, cages, runs, and stalls as needed to prevent soiling and odors.
Clean other hospital areas to help control the spread of disease.
Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
Launder and dry towels and blankets.
Regularly walk the hospital grounds to remove trash and stool material and empty trash throughout the practice and grounds.
Perform other duties as assigned.