Profession kennel worker

Kennel workers handle animals in kennels or catteries and provide care for pets. They feed the animals, clean their cages, look after ill or old animals, groom them and take them out for a walk.

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Personality Type

Skills

  • Protect health and safety when handling animals

    Protect health and welfare of animals and their handlers.

  • Maintain customer service

    Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.

  • Groom animals

    Prepare the environment for grooming, select the correct grooming equipment and grooming methods for the animal. Apply occupational health and safety principles of basic animal anatomy and physiology, including the identification and reporting of any abnormalities.

  • Assess animal behaviour

    Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.

  • Maintain animal accommodation

    Make sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.

  • Follow verbal instructions

    Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

  • Monitor the welfare of animals

    Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.

  • Control animal movement

    Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.

  • Assist in transportation of animals

    Assist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transport process.

  • Assess animal's condition

    Inspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.

  • Feed pets

    Make sure that pets are given appropriate food and water on time.

  • Work with veterinarians

    Consult veterinarians and assist them in the examination and nursing of animals.

  • Follow written instructions

    Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.

  • Bathe dogs

    Prepare dog by removing excess hair, knots and tangles. Bathe and clean a dog’s coat and skin.

  • Stay alert

    Stay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.

  • Provide dog walking services

    Provide dog-walking services, including activities such as agreement of services with the customer, selection and use of handling equipment, interaction with the dog, and safe and responsible dog walking.

Optional knowledge and skills

create animal records advise on animal welfare handle veterinary emergencies animal welfare legislation work in shifts implement exercise activities for animals physiology of animals communicate with customers animal nutrition animal behaviour animal training advise customers on appropriate pet care maintain professional administration maintain welfare of animals during transportation instruct on animal care provide an enriching environment for animals train employees anatomy of animals maintain equipment

Source: Sisyphus ODB