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So you want to be a kennel tech? Great! But what does a kennel tech actually do? Here’s a quick overview of the duties and responsibilities of a kennel tech.
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The Job Description
Kennel techs work in animal shelters, animal hospitals, and other animal care facilities. They are responsible for the care of the animals in their facility. This includes feeding, watering, cleaning, and exercising the animals. They may also be responsible for administering medication to the animals.
Daily Responsibilities
A kennel technician’s duties include providing food, water and exercise for the dogs in their care. They also must clean the kennels and keep them free of debris and waste. Some kennel techs may be responsible for basic grooming, such as brushing and bathing the dogs. Others may provide more comprehensive grooming services, such as clipping nails and administering flea and tick treatments.
Kennel Technician Skills
Most kennel technicians are passionate about animals and have a genuine desire to care for them. The job requires excellent customer service skills because you will be the face of the business and the first point of contact with clients. You will need to be able to handle multiple tasks at once, often in a fast-paced environment. Other important skills include:
-Cleaning: Kennel technicians must maintain clean and sanitary conditions in the facility at all times. This includes cleaning cages, washing bedding, sweeping floors, and disinfecting surfaces.
-Feeding and watering: Kennel technicians must properly feed and water the animals in their care. This may include preparing special diets, administering medication, and ensuring that food and water bowls are clean and full at all times.
-Observation: Kennel technicians must be able to observe the animals in their care for signs of illness or distress. This includes taking note of changes in appetite, behavior, or appearance.
-Record keeping: Kennel technicians must maintain accurate records of the animals in their care. This includes everything from feeding schedules to medical records.
-Basic animal husbandry: Kennel technicians must have a basic understanding of animal husbandry principles such as handling, grooming, exercise, and nutrition.
The Education
Kennel techs work in animal shelters and veterinary clinics. They are responsible for the daily care of the animals. This includes feeding, watering, cleaning, and exercising the animals. Kennel techs also need to keep the animal areas clean and disinfected. They may also need to perform some basic medical tasks such as taking temperatures and giving injections.
Qualifications
To work as a kennel technician, no formal education is required, though on-the-job training is common. Many kennel technicians learn through apprenticeships with more experienced employees. Some programs leading to certification are available, but are not mandatory.
Those interested in becoming kennel technicians can benefit from taking courses related to animal behavior and care, as well as general business principles. Knowledge of computers is also helpful, as many kennel facilities use software programs to track Boarding information, medical records, and appointments.
Programs and Courses
Kennel technicians typically need to complete on-the-job training. Some may complete a formal education program in animal care, which can lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree. These programs typically take 1-2 years to complete and include coursework in animal health, kennel operations and management, dog behaviour, and grooming.
The Career Outlook
Kennel technicians are also known as kennel workers and are responsible for the daily cleaning, feeding and walking of dogs. They may also be responsible for keeping records, such as medical records, of the dogs in their care. The career outlook for kennel technicians is good, with a potential for growth in the field.
Job Growth
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of animal care and service workers, including kennel technicians, is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The continued interest in pet ownership should result in strong demand for individuals trained in animal care.
Salary and job outlook
In the united states kennel techs earn a median annual salary of $22,610, which is just below the national average for all occupations. However, earnings can vary greatly depending on factors such as experience, location and employer. For example, kennel techs in new york city earn an average of 25% more than those working in other parts of the state.
The job outlook for kennel techs is strong, with a projected growth rate of 22% from 2016 to 2026. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for kennel techs will be driven by the growing popularity of pets and the need for pet owners to have a safe and healthy place to leave their animals when they are away from home.
The Pros and Cons
Working as a kennel tech can be a very rewarding career. You get to work with a variety of animals and help them stay healthy and happy. However, it is not a career for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of being a kennel tech.
Advantages
A career as a kennel technician has several advantages. The work is generally stable and predictable, and it offers a good work/life balance. The hours are often regular, and the job typically does not require working weekends or holidays. In addition, kennel technicians typically have opportunities to work with a variety of animals, which can be very rewarding.
Another advantage of working as a kennel technician is that the job requires relatively little formal education or training. Most kennel technicians learn on the job, and many organizations offer certification programs that can give workers an advantage in the job market.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages to the job are that it can be physically demanding, it is typically a low paying job, there are often long hours and shifts, and the work can be emotionally taxing.
