VCA

Kennel Assistant

Tucson, AZ Full time

VCA Civano Animal Hospital and Emergency Center is looking to hire a kennel technician. The Kennel Technician plays a vital role in supporting patient care and hospital operations in our 24-hour emergency hospital. This position provides compassionate care for hospitalized and boarding patients, assists in daily cleaning and maintenance tasks, and supports the medical team with basic technical appointments and patient handling. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, dependable, and passionate about animal care in a fast-paced, team-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide high-quality care and comfort to hospitalized and boarding patients, including feeding, walking, cleaning, and monitoring.

  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of kennels, runs, and hospital areas to ensure a safe and sanitary environment.

  • Assist veterinary technicians and doctors during technical appointments, including restraint, patient preparation, and basic recordkeeping.

  • Observe patients for changes in behavior or condition and promptly report concerns to the medical team.

  • Support hospital flow by helping with patient intake, discharge, and basic client communication as needed.

  • Follow proper safety and biosecurity protocols when handling animals and medical materials.

  • Clean and sterilize kennels, laundry, instruments, and equipment as part of routine hospital upkeep.

  • Assist with inventory management, restocking supplies, and maintaining organized workspaces.

  • Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge in veterinary care.

Qualifications:

  • Previous experience working with animals (kennel, shelter, or veterinary setting preferred).

  • Ability to work compassionately with animals of all temperaments and sizes.

  • Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask in a busy emergency hospital environment.

  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand or walk for extended periods.

  • Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts as part of a 24-hour team.

Why Join Us:

  • Work alongside a skilled team of veterinary professionals in a supportive, collaborative environment.

  • Gain hands-on experience in emergency and specialty medicine.

  • Opportunities for growth and advancement within the hospital and broader VCA network.

  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.