1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Kennel worker

Kennel worker

Alternative titles for this job include

Kennel workers care for dogs and cats in kennels or catteries.

Average salary (a year)

£12,000 Starter

to

£17,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Kennel worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

You could take a college course, for example:

  • Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Animal Care
  • Level 2 Diploma in Animal Management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can do an Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You might also be able to apply for an Animal Care and Welfare Manager Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, if you're aiming to become a supervisor or manager at a kennels or cattery.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

Volunteering is a useful way to get experience and shows employers that you are enthusiastic and interested in working with animals.

You can find out about opportunities for volunteering in your area from:

Direct Application

There are no set qualifications for applying directly to become a kennel worker. Some employers may ask you for GCSE grades at 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English.

Experience of working with animals will be useful.

More Information

Career tips

Kennel work is very practical, so paid or unpaid experience of working with animals could improve your job prospects.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in animal care from the National Land Based College UK and The College of Animal Welfare.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this job, you will:

  • prepare food and feed the animals
  • keep animals clean and groom them
  • exercise dogs in a yard or take them for walks
  • clean out kennels and cages
  • maintain cages, runs and kennel grounds
  • look after elderly, ill or distressed animals
  • answer telephone calls and greet visitors to the premises

Working environment

You could work in kennels or at an animal welfare centre.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a supervisor or manager, or set up your own kennels or cattery.

You could move into other kinds of work with animals, like dog trainer, RSPCA inspector or veterinary nurse.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Animal care and welfare apprenticeship

  • Wage: £10,649.60 a year Annually
  • Location: Balcombe, West Sussex, UK

Animal Care Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £11,648 a year Annually
  • Location: GREENACRES LANE, WINNERSH, WOKINGHAM
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Animal Care

  • Provider: SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Ipswich

Animal Care

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.