Kennel Management

Term from Animal Care industry explained for recruiters

Kennel Management refers to overseeing the daily operations of animal boarding facilities, shelters, or veterinary clinics where pets are housed. This includes making sure animals are properly cared for, maintaining facility cleanliness, managing staff schedules, and ensuring all safety protocols are followed. It's similar to running a hotel, but for pets instead of people. The role typically involves both hands-on animal care and administrative duties like record keeping, client communication, and business operations.

Examples in Resumes

Supervised daily operations of a 50-pet facility using Kennel Management best practices

Implemented new Kennel Management software to improve booking efficiency and pet care tracking

Trained staff of 10 in Kennel Management procedures and animal handling protocols

Typical job title: "Kennel Managers"

Also try searching for:

Boarding Facility Manager Animal Care Manager Pet Resort Manager Shelter Operations Manager Kennel Supervisor Animal Boarding Supervisor Pet Care Facility Director

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a situation where you're at maximum capacity and a long-term client has an emergency boarding need?

Expected Answer: A senior manager should discuss their contingency plans, relationships with other facilities, prioritization strategies, and how they balance customer service with facility limitations while maintaining quality of care.

Q: Describe your experience with developing and implementing facility-wide policies and procedures.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience in creating comprehensive operational guidelines, staff training programs, emergency protocols, and quality control measures while considering both animal welfare and business needs.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure proper documentation and communication between different shifts?

Expected Answer: Should explain systems for tracking animal care, medication schedules, special needs, and shift handovers, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and record-keeping.

Q: What steps do you take to prevent the spread of illness in a kennel environment?

Expected Answer: Should discuss cleaning protocols, vaccination requirements, quarantine procedures, daily health monitoring, and staff training on disease prevention.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What would you do if you noticed a boarded pet wasn't eating?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic knowledge of animal care protocols, including monitoring, documentation, communication with supervisors, and when to contact owners or veterinarians.

Q: How do you prioritize tasks during a busy day at the kennel?

Expected Answer: Should show understanding of essential daily tasks, time management, and ability to distinguish between urgent and routine responsibilities while maintaining animal care standards.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic animal handling and care
  • Cleaning and sanitation procedures
  • Record keeping
  • Customer service basics

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Staff supervision
  • Health monitoring
  • Emergency response
  • Schedule management

Senior (5+ years)

  • Facility operations oversight
  • Business management
  • Policy development
  • Staff training program creation

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No hands-on animal handling experience
  • Poor understanding of basic animal behavior
  • Lack of experience with cleaning protocols
  • No knowledge of safety procedures