Kennel Cleaner

Career Guide

A Kennel Cleaner keeps animal housing areas safe, clean, and comfortable. The role supports animal health by reducing the risk of illness, maintaining good hygiene, and helping operations run smoothly in kennels, shelters, veterinary hospitals, boarding facilities, and grooming centers.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, runs, and play areas
Remove waste and dispose of it safely
Wash and sanitize food bowls, water bowls, and bedding
Restock cleaning supplies, towels, and linens
Follow infection control procedures and cleaning checklists
Handle animals safely while moving them for cleaning
Monitor basic health and behavior changes and report concerns
Maintain laundry routines for blankets and towels
Keep hallways, storage areas, and outdoor runs tidy
Record completed tasks and note any facility issues

Top Skills for Success

Attention to Detail

Reliability

Time Management

Physical Stamina

Comfort Working With Animals

Safety Awareness

Cleaning and Disinfection

Infection Control

Animal Handling

Laundry Operations

Chemical Handling

Customer Service

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Kennel Attendant

Animal Care Technician

Veterinary Assistant

Grooming Assistant

Shelter Technician

Transition Opportunities

Lead Kennel Attendant

Shift Supervisor

Facility Coordinator

Animal Shelter Supervisor

Veterinary Technician

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Infection ControlAnimal HandlingChemical HandlingRecord KeepingDe escalation

Development SuggestionsAsk for the facility cleaning checklist and learn the disinfectant contact times. Request a short training session on safe animal handling and bite prevention. Practice consistent task tracking using a simple log. Learn how to respond calmly to stressed animals and fast paced environments.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 13 to 16 per hour

Mid LevelUSD 16 to 20 per hour

Senior LevelUSD 20 to 26 per hour

Growth Trend

Steady. Demand is supported by pet ownership, boarding services, grooming services, and animal shelter operations. Hiring is often local and can be seasonal in peak travel periods.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

PetSmart PetsHotelPetcoBanfield Pet HospitalVCA Animal HospitalsBluePearl Pet HospitalLocal animal sheltersLocal boarding kennelsLocal veterinary clinicsLocal grooming salons

Industry Sectors

Veterinary ServicesAnimal SheltersPet BoardingPet GroomingPet DaycareAnimal Rescue

Recommended Next Steps

Build a simple resume that highlights reliability, cleaning experience, and comfort around animals

Ask employers about training for infection control and safe animal handling

Keep a short list of measurable wins such as number of kennels cleaned per shift and zero safety incidents

Learn the facility routines for laundry, supply restocking, and end of day closing tasks

If you want to advance, ask to cross train in feeding routines, basic animal care, and front desk support