The operation and maintenance of a dog and cat boarding establishment
DUTIES
Daily duties will include day to day cleaning of dog kennels & cat chalets; feeding & health checks of our boarders. Ensuring every pet is kept clean, dry & warm & fed as instructed by the owner. All boarders must have fresh water in their kennel or chalet. Think on your feet & report any evidence of stress, injury, sickness or temperament problems to the kennel owners. While they are in our care, the animals are our responsibility.
Vacated kennels will have to be cleansed, dried and reset for the next boarder. Used bedding needs to be washed and dried; similarly used food and water bowls.
Maintaining the kennel kitchen. This involves keeping it in a clean and tidy condition, refilling and stacking food dishes for the next meal, replenishing food bins, organizing animals medication.
Exercising of boarders or our Labradors where appropriate. This involves lead walking or free running dogs individually on our secure paddock. Boarders are never road-walked.
Dealing with customers. Face to face will include seeing animals in and out, taking payment, making further bookings, be aware of cancellations and act accordingly, showing new customers round the premises. By phone will include responding to boarding enquiries, taking bookings, diary and booking chart management.
Other duties could include keeping an awareness of stock levels – foodstuffs, bedding, shavings, cat litter, cleaning materials; general maintenance to the site, jet washing runs and pathways, painting kennels and fences, garden maintenance or any other reasonable activities as determined by the employer. This would be undertaken during quieter periods.
SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS
You should have a high awareness of safety issues. All doors in each kennel must be closed after you have been in & out. We have a vestibule at the cattery entrance; the outer doors are to be locked every time you enter & leave the cattery. Keep all gates closed or locked as necessary.
There must be no contact between unfamiliar dogs or cats.
Animals must be kept warm. The dogs sleeping quarters have heating facilities and you must gauge when to use them, taking into account the outside temperature and the age, coat & health of each dog. The cattery has a thermostatically controlled system which is self-regulating.
DESIRABLE SKILLS
Previous experience of working in a cattery.
Previous experience of working in kennels or working with a large-dog show team.
Attention to detail and thoroughness in your work.
Personal skills – politeness, consideration of others, friendly, common sense, command of the English language.
Willingness to work in inclement weather.
Ability to paint the boarding facilities every few months or as required.
Good health and strength.
A dedicated and passionate dog & cat lover.
Competent administrative skills – phone and personal manner, numeracy, handwriting, kennel diary, booking charts. Most of this is “pen & paper” rather than keyboard.
We want somebody who ‘goes that extra mile,’ not because you have been asked to but because you want to provide the best care & comfort for the animals.
We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic & cheerful.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
This job is not suitable for anybody who has any anxiety towards dogs or cats or has dog/cat allergies that they cannot control by medication or other means.
- We use cleaning fluids that are safe for the animals.
- You have to enjoy being outside.
- Punctuality, honesty & reliability are of the upmost importance.
- Tasks involve lifting & carrying items including bales of shavings, buckets of water, sacks of dog food and cat litter. Walking different dogs can be strenuous. You must be physically fit.
- The work is tiring when we are full; the shifts can be long & you have to keep going with a smile.
- Be prepared to work weekends, public holidays and morning or evening shifts.
- It is cold and dark at 7.30 on a winter’s morning; you will get cold hands. On the other hand you will get a good suntan in summer!
OVERVIEW
The job would be mostly Saturday & Sunday morning work starting at 07.45 till 11 or 12noon but we need you to be flexible with your hours. There may be some early evening shifts when you would be required to work alone, seeing customers in and out, taking payments, putting our dogs to bed and getting kennels ready for the next day.
Minimum wage will be paid.
We are looking for long term commitment, not somebody ‘in between jobs.’
There are some perks – days to work alone, some flexibility in working hours, ongoing training in the kennels and with our Labradors, working in a friendly family environment. Holidays and days off will be arranged to suit both parties. Free on-site parking. Casual dress.
You will be in and out of our house so we require the utmost respect for our property and privacy.
Actual hours and payment to be decided when we speak.
Please consider all of the above and that the job is really for you before contacting us further.
This not an "admin" job. If your CV is based around administration, with no animal involvement, you will not be shortlisted.
If you are passionate about animals and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Join our team as a Kennel Assistant and make a positive impact on the lives of our furry companions. Contact us by email only please.
[email protected]
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Flexible language requirement:
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience of working with animals?
- Do you have any convictions for animal related offences?
Language:
Work Location: In person
