Pet Boarding Assistant

Career Guide

A Pet Boarding Assistant helps care for animals staying overnight or during the day at boarding facilities, kennels, and pet daycares. The role focuses on safe handling, cleaning, feeding, basic monitoring, and keeping pets comfortable while supporting the front desk and care team.

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Key Responsibilities

Feed and provide fresh water following written instructions
Clean kennels, runs, and play areas to maintain sanitation
Safely handle pets during walks, potty breaks, and transfers
Monitor pets for changes in behavior, appetite, and energy
Report concerns to supervisors and document observations
Support supervised playtime and enrichment activities
Administer basic care tasks as directed, such as brushing
Restock supplies and maintain laundry and waste disposal routines
Follow facility safety rules, bite prevention practices, and emergency procedures
Assist with check-in and check-out tasks when needed
Communicate clearly with coworkers to coordinate schedules and care routines

Top Skills for Success

Animal Handling

Sanitation Practices

Time Management

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Teamwork

Stress Management

Reliability

Basic Recordkeeping

Safety Awareness

Animal Behavior Awareness

Communication

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Kennel Technician

Pet Daycare Attendant

Lead Boarding Attendant

Shift Supervisor

Client Services Representative

Transition Opportunities

Veterinary Assistant

Grooming Assistant

Animal Shelter Technician

Pet Care Manager

Dog Trainer Assistant

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Emergency ResponseAnimal Behavior AssessmentMedication HandlingIncident ReportingDe-escalation TechniquesInfection Control

Development SuggestionsAsk to shadow an experienced attendant during intake and health checks. Complete basic pet first aid training and practice clear incident notes. Build confidence with safe handling by learning low-stress techniques and getting feedback during daily routines.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$26,000 to $33,000 per year

Mid Level$33,000 to $41,000 per year

Senior Level$41,000 to $52,000 per year

Growth Trend

Steady. Demand generally follows local pet ownership rates, travel patterns, and growth in pet daycare and boarding services.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

PetSmart PetsHotelPetcoRoverWagCamp Bow WowVCA Animal HospitalsBanfield Pet Hospital

Industry Sectors

Pet boarding facilitiesPet daycare centersVeterinary clinics with boarding servicesAnimal hospitalsPet resortsAnimal sheltersPet sitting services

Recommended Next Steps

Get a basic pet first aid certification

Review safe handling and bite prevention guidelines used by your facility

Practice writing clear daily notes for each pet

Ask to learn intake procedures and vaccination policy checks

Volunteer for closing or opening shifts to build full routine experience

Request cross-training with customer check-in tasks

Track examples of reliability and problem solving for future interviews