Kennel Supervisor
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Supervise daily feeding, watering, and exercise routines
- Monitor animal health and behavior and escalate concerns to a veterinarian or manager
- Maintain cleaning and sanitation standards across kennels and common areas
- Create staff schedules and assign daily tasks
- Train new staff on handling, safety, and care procedures
- Ensure safe animal handling and reduce bite and injury risk
- Manage intake and release processes and confirm required paperwork
- Communicate with pet owners about routines, special needs, and updates
- Track supplies and place orders to avoid shortages
- Respond to incidents such as escapes, injuries, and facility emergencies
- Support grooming, bathing, and basic care tasks as needed
- Ensure compliance with local animal welfare rules and facility policies
Top Skills for Success
Team Leadership
Scheduling
Customer Service
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Attention to Detail
Animal Handling
Animal Behavior Awareness
Sanitation Practices
Safety Procedures
Medication Administration
Record Keeping
Inventory Management
Facility Operations
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Kennel Supervisor
Transition Opportunities
Facility Manager
Animal Care Manager
Shelter Operations Manager
Veterinary Practice Manager
Grooming Salon Manager
Training Coordinator
Client Services Manager
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
People ManagementCoaching and FeedbackIncident DocumentationDe-escalationBasic First AidMedication AccuracyDisease PreventionCost AwarenessClient Communication
Development SuggestionsBuild a simple daily checklist for care and cleaning, practice short coaching conversations with staff, and standardize incident notes. Complete animal first aid training, refresh medication handling practices, and learn basic budgeting through supply tracking and weekly usage reviews.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 30,000 to 38,000
Mid LevelUSD 38,000 to 50,000
Senior LevelUSD 50,000 to 65,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand. Hiring tends to rise in areas with strong pet ownership and during peak travel seasons, with consistent need in shelters and boarding businesses.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
RoverWagPetSmart PetshotelPetcoVCA Animal HospitalsBanfield Pet HospitalBluePearl Pet HospitalSPCA organizationsHumane Society organizationsLocal boarding kennels
Industry Sectors
Pet boarding and daycareAnimal shelters and rescueVeterinary clinics and hospitalsPet retail servicesAnimal training services
Recommended Next Steps
1
Update your resume with measurable outcomes such as reduced incidents, improved cleanliness scores, or better schedule coverage2
Earn an animal first aid certification from a recognized provider3
Create standard operating procedures for intake, cleaning, and medication checks4
Ask your manager to lead one improvement project such as a new cleaning log or training plan5
Practice structured customer updates that are clear, calm, and consistent6
Track supply usage weekly and propose a reorder system to reduce last minute shortages