Boarding kennels and catteries exist to provide a service for pet owners who are away from home. They should provide a safe, hygienic and friendly environment for pets ‘on holiday’.
There are lots of kennels and catteries to choose from so it is important to research them carefully before making any decisions about working in one-or leaving a pet there.
Work as a Kennel & Cattery Hand
A love of dogs and cats is essential as much of this work is repetitive, hard and often noisy and smelly! It is an advantage for kennel hands to have experience of all types of dogs and to be confident in their knowledge of dog behaviour-this is especially important if dealing with aggressive or unpredictable dogs. Some basic dog training and grooming skills are an advantage.
Holiday periods are the busiest times and weekend work sometimes requested.Work includes various duties like dog-walking, cleaning out runs, feeding and washing up, playing with the animals and washing bedding. Being fit to perform these physical tasks is a necessity.
A friendly but efficient attitude is helpful when dealing with clients on the telephone and in person. Good kennel and cattery hands know that they represent the business they work for and take pride in showing people round.
Some bookings and paperwork is done by kennel and cattery hands so basic computer skills are usually required.
How Kennels & Catteries Work
There may be a number of buildings designed to house cats and dogs within a secure enclosure, often with a field or other open area for exercise. Each animal has its own sleeping area, with a run attached, that needs to be kept clean and comfortable. They can hear, smell, and often see, the other animals but will not be allowed to play or exercise together. It is important that good hygiene and secure physical boundaries are applied-for the health and safety of all resident animals-as well as the people working there.
Pet owners will be asked to provide up-to-date pet vaccination records and contact details of the vet they use. These details, along with the pet’s name, dietary requirements, medications (where appropriate) duration of stay and other relevant details may be written on a board outside each kennel for easy reference as well as on the office computer, where accurate and up-to-date records of each animal will be kept.
Kennels & Catteries Daily Routine
This often involves early starts so that all dogs are walked, fed and cleaned out before other duties are tackled. Apart from similar basic care, cats will also need someone to stroke them and play with them, too, as they have less freedom in the cattery.For both dogs and cats, fresh drinking water must be available at all times.
Some dogs and cats may pine when away from their owners and need extra encouragement to eat. Kennels and catteries can be noisy places so animals that are used to being the only pet may show signs of distress. People who work in kennels learn how to recognise these symptoms. More often, though, the cats and dogs settle into the change of routine and establish bonds with their carers.
Finding Kennels & Catteries
Kennels and catteries rely on their reputations to get business. Personal recommendations about establishments and their staff give a good indication of which kennels are the best to work in. Ask around! Check that the kennel and cattery owner is licensed and insured.
Independent transport is preferable because most kennels and catteries are, necessarily, remote. This type of work involves being part of a team so it is not uncommon for friends to seek work together and share transport.
Career Prospects in Kennel and Cattery Work
Once basic training has been successfully achieved and experience gained, it is possible to take exams in the different aspects of dog care. For some employees, the dream is to own a boarding kennels and cattery themselves. With hard work this can be done!
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Can i do work experience here in the summer. I’m 15 years old
Jo - 1-Apr-19 @ 5:50 PM
@Kiahn - you normally have to be a minimum of 16 years of age to apply to work in a kennels.
Rache - 14-May-18 @ 10:55 AM
How old do you have to be so you can apply? I'm 14 and looking for work but i only want to work with animals in kennels but i can't find anywhere.
Kiahn - 13-May-18 @ 8:22 AM
I am currently studying at cert II in animal studies and have to complete 80 hours of work placement at a dog kennel, cattery, vet clinic etc... but am finding it really hard to actually find any business that wants to take me on... any suggestions or business reccomendations? thanks guys :)
Morgie - 7-Mar-18 @ 1:38 AM
CookieDrago10 - Your Question:
I need work experience for and by the 30th of January to the 17th of February during Half term. I can do some days if I'm not doing my part time job. I am 18 years old.
Our Response:
You would have to contact the catteries in your localitydirectly.
CareerWithAnimals - 15-Dec-16 @ 10:41 AM
I need work experience for and by the 30th of January to the 17th of February during Half term. I can do some days if I'm not doing my part time job. I am 18 years old.
CookieDrago10 - 14-Dec-16 @ 3:30 PM
Dear Mr or Mrs. I do Level 2 Animal Mangiment to cleaning out animals. I was wondering if you had any work experience for me to do in the Cattery, cause I would like to work with some of your cats that you have. If you have or haven't got any work experience, please can you let me know from tomorrow?Your faithfully Sophie
CookieDrago10 - 14-Dec-16 @ 3:28 PM
Val - Your Question:
I have worked with dogs.I would like to work in cats or dogs cannels and zoos.I would prefer if the position in London and Broxburn zoo.Yours V.aaron
Our Response:
I suggest you contact the zoos directly. Good luck.
CareerWithAnimals - 22-Aug-16 @ 11:27 AM
I have worked with dogs.I would like to work in cats or dogs cannels and zoos.I would prefer if the position in London and Broxburn zoo.Yours V.aaron
Val - 21-Aug-16 @ 1:25 PM
I am looking a cat or dog job I have worked inthe Kennals when I leftschool I am looking for to work in a. Vet centre or in the zoo could you help I am doing on going trainingto work with dogs and cats
Val - 21-Aug-16 @ 1:16 PM
kiera - Your Question:
I am 16 years old, with past experience of taking care of dogs and cats. I am very good at bonding with animals and always asked to groom people's dog's. I would like to know if I am the correct age to work in a dog/cat kennel. I start college in September 2016 so this is a good time to look for a job. thankyou
Our Response:
Age and some restrictions apply in relation to opportunities for under 18s, you would have to check with the organisations you wish to work for directly.
CareerWithAnimals - 9-May-16 @ 12:39 PM
I am 16 years old, with past experience of taking care of dogs and cats. I am very good at bonding with animals and always asked to groom people's dog's. I would like to know if i am the correct age to work in a dog/cat kennel. I start college in September 2016 so this is a good time to look for a job. thankyou
kiera - 8-May-16 @ 7:59 PM
I'm a 13 year old girl and love animals! and I'm looking for a job I can do full time/part time and don't mind working with any animals. please could you help and tell me where I can go.
katie - 21-Apr-16 @ 7:37 PM
Hi
I am a 14 year old girl that wants to work in a cattery
Maybe as a Saturday job
So I was wondering if you would need a helper and I love animals ?
Georgia - 26-Sep-15 @ 2:56 PM
@Lisa1989 - I have included a link from the National Careers Service herewhich should help as it lists all the qualifications needed. Good luck.
CareerWithAnimals - 27-Jan-15 @ 11:11 AM
Hi, i am a massive cat lover and my dream job is to work in a cattery, what sort of qualifications are needed and are there online courses i could take? Thanks :)
Lisa1989 - 25-Jan-15 @ 6:58 PM
@Chez - you don't say whether you have any animal related qualifications or if you have worked with animals before, or how old you are. If you are young how about doing an apprenticeship? Apprenticeship.org.uk has an apprenticeship in Animal Care, it would be a good way to decide what area you would like to focus in. Or, if you are already working, you could do some voluntary work in your spare time which would give you experience from which you could apply for jobs. Do It has lots of voluntary placements to choose from. Good luck.
CareerWithAnimals - 22-Oct-14 @ 10:36 AM
I would love to work with animals like cats dogs in a cattery or kennels on a full time basis
Chez - 21-Oct-14 @ 8:54 PM
How/where would I get started if I wanted to work in this environment?
Ruthy87 - 10-Aug-12 @ 8:19 AM
How old do you have to be to work in a kennels?
Abbie - 10-Jun-12 @ 4:55 PM
I have worked with anmals for withpet city100 blackheath hill blackheath se3 1996 then shop cloted down I love working with anmals I love anmals so much have anmals my self
angle - 25-May-12 @ 4:35 PM
i love dogs and goes to hartpury i done eovel one animal care and now doing lbo this year level one
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