Kennel Supervisor

Career Guide

A Kennel Supervisor oversees daily care operations for dogs and sometimes cats in a kennel, shelter, boarding facility, or veterinary setting. The role blends animal welfare, team leadership, scheduling, customer service, and strict cleanliness and safety standards.

Key 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

Update your resume with measurable outcomes such as reduced incidents, improved cleanliness scores, or better schedule coverage

Earn an animal first aid certification from a recognized provider

Create standard operating procedures for intake, cleaning, and medication checks

Ask your manager to lead one improvement project such as a new cleaning log or training plan

Practice structured customer updates that are clear, calm, and consistent

Track supply usage weekly and propose a reorder system to reduce last minute shortages