Kennel or Cattery Worker

Kennel or cattery workers look after the dogs or cats in their care by making sure they are kept clean, comfortable, exercised and fed.

The Work

You could be:

• cleaning out and disinfecting the cages or kennels and changing the bedding


• preparing meals, including any special diets needed, and feeding the animals


• taking dogs to a yard to exercise them or taking them for walks outside


• looking after sick animals and calling the vet if needed


• making sure the animals are clean, treating them for fleas or parasites and grooming them


• advising owners or customers on animal care


• showing unwanted cats or dogs to possible new owners


• carrying out clerical duties, such as taking bookings, dealing with payments and keeping records.

Conditions

• You could work in any one of a number of different types of kennel or cattery.
  
• Some are boarding kennels where owners leave pets to go on holiday; others are where cats or dogs are bred, animals are kept in quarantine, or where abandoned animals are kept. There are also charity kennels such as those run by Guide Dogs (formerly the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association).


• The working conditions can be dirty, smelly and noisy.


• Animals can sometimes bite or claw.


• The working hours can be long and unsocial, including weekends, evenings and sometimes shift work.


• You may have to live-in in some cases.


• Boarding kennels are busier at holiday times.


• It can be upsetting when animals are ill or injured, have been badly treated or are unwanted.

Getting In

• A good general education is useful.


• Enthusiasm and a real interest in working with animals can be just as important as academic qualifications.


• You could take a college course such as a National Certificate (NC) in animal care before applying for your first job. Entry requirements vary from no formal requirements up to 4 Standard grades including English.


• Previous work experience caring for animals would be useful.


• You need to be fit as you have to exercise dogs and muck out cages and kennels.


• You must not be allergic to cats or dogs.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

• able to handle dogs and cats and enjoy working with them


• able to calm down anxious or uncontrolled animals


• able to follow instructions


• able to notice changes in animals' behaviour


• reliable, responsible and able to work on your own


• not squeamish


• able to communicate well with people when finding new homes for unwanted animals


• physically fit and energetic.

Training

• You would train on-the-job with your employer.


• You may also be able to study part-time at college for a relevant qualification, such as an NC or a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ).


• You can also do a distance learning course in caring for animals in kennels and catteries and a diploma in kennel and cattery management with the Animal Care College.

Getting On

• In larger kennels, and with sufficient experience, you may be able to become a supervisor or kennel manager.


• You may be able to set up and run your own kennel or cattery, or work for a national organisation such as an animal charity.


• You may also be able to consider moving into related careers such as dog training, veterinary nursing or inspection work with the Scottish SPCA.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.