Kennel Worker
What is the work like?
Kennel workers look after dogs and cats in kennels or catteries.
You could be employed as a kennel worker in:
- boarding kennels, which provide care for animals when their owners are away for a short time
- organisations such as the RSPCA, which look after stray, abandoned or mistreated animals
- kennels run by organisations like the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
- breeding or quarantine kennels.
Your work would include:
- preparing food and feeding the animals
- keeping animals clean and grooming them
- exercising dogs in a yard or taking them for walks
- cleaning out kennels and cages
- looking after animals who are ill or distressed.
In some jobs you would also keep records, take bookings and handle payments, and advise owners on looking after their animals.
Some kennels specialise in racing, breeding, hunt, quarantine or training.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You would usually have to be at least 16 (18 for working for Guide Dogs for the Blind).
You will not need any qualifications for most kennel jobs, but some organisations do ask for them. For example, to work for Guide Dogs for the Blind you will need three GCSEs (A-D), including English, or similar qualifications.
It will be useful if you have experience of working with animals, either paid or voluntary. Volunteering is a useful way to get experience and show employers that you are enthusiastic and interested in working with animals. You can find out about opportunities for volunteering in your area from Volunteering England. You could also check with animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA to find out if they need volunteers in your area.
You could do a full-time college course before applying for your first job, although this is not always essential it could improve your chances. Courses include:
- BTEC First Certificate/Diploma in Animal Care
- BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Animal Management (Care)
- OCN National Small Animal Care Certificate – you can do this by distance learning with the Animal Care College if you are in a relevant paid or voluntary job.
The armed services take on civilian kennel workers. For this you would need to complete a Basic Dog Course at the Defence Animal Centre in Leicestershire.
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you have a job as a kennel worker you may be able to work towards NVQs in Animal Care at levels 1 and 2. These are available at some colleges and through the College of Animal Welfare. You can also choose from a range of other courses offered by this college.
You may be able to help your career either by gaining experience and working towards NVQ Level 3 in Animal Care, or studying part-time for qualifications such as:
- BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Animal Management (Care)
- BTEC National Award in Animal Management (Kennel and Cattery Management).
Where can I go for more information?
Southwater
Horsham
West Sussex
RH13 9RS
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
London
EC1V 7RQ
Tel: 020 7837 0006
Hillfields
Burghfield Common
Reading
RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 983 5555
Godmanchester
Cambridgeshire
PE29 2LJ
Tel: 0870 062 1122
High Street
Ascot
Berkshire
SL5 7JG
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Full-time kennel workers may start at around £11,000 a year.
- Experienced kennel workers can earn between £12,000 and £15,000.
Some larger kennels provide accommodation for staff.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work about 40 hours a week, usually starting early in the morning. Hours vary, and you would probably work weekends and evenings. Some jobs are part-time.
The work is very active – you would do a lot of bending to clean out kennels, and regular walking to exercise dogs. You would have to work outdoors in all weathers.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- confidence in handling animals
- the ability to take initiative or work in a team
- good observational skills to notice changes in animals' behaviour
- the ability to cope with the physical demands of the job – walking dogs and cleaning out kennels.
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed as a kennel worker in kennels across the UK.
Once you have enough experience you might be able to become a supervisor or manager, or set up your own kennels or cattery.
You could also use your experience to move into other kinds of work with animals, such as dog trainer, RSPCA inspector or veterinary nurse.
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