Top 11 Kennel Attendant Certifications

Certifications for a kennel attendant can be incredibly important in the job market. They provide potential employers with assurance that the individual has received proper training and can competently handle the duties of a kennel attendant. Certifications also demonstrate that the individual is committed to their profession and willing to invest in themselves. This often gives an individual an edge over other applicants without certifications. Additionally, certifications can help kennel attendants stay up-to-date on best practices and industry standards, making them more attractive candidates for employers.

The article reviews the most beneficial certifications for Kennel Attendants and explains how they can help advance their career.

What are Kennel Attendant Certifications?

Kennel attendant certification is a certificate program designed to educate and equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for animals in kennels. By completing a kennel attendant certification program, participants will learn how to properly handle and care for animals, as well as develop an understanding of animal health and safety protocols. Certification may also include training in record keeping, grooming, nutrition, animal behavior, first aid and CPR, canine anatomy and diseases. With this certification, attendants can provide a safe environment for animals in their care as well as gain the confidence to work with different types of animals. Kennel attendant certification can also help individuals obtain employment opportunities in pet-related fields such as veterinary clinics or pet boarding facilities. Additionally, certified kennel attendants may be able to obtain higher wages than non-certified personnel.

Pro Tip: When considering kennel attendant certification, make sure to research the organizations offering it and ensure they are accredited and have a good reputation. Additionally, look into any additional certifications that may be available in your area to help you stand out from the competition.

Related: What does a Kennel Attendant do?

Top 11 Kennel Attendant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Kennel Attendants today.

1. Pet First Aid and CPR Certification

Pet First Aid and CPR Certification is a certification program that provides pet owners, pet care providers, and veterinary professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to medical emergencies involving animals. This certification teaches participants how to recognize signs of illness or injury in pets, how to provide basic first aid treatments, and when to seek professional veterinary care. It also covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques for cats and dogs.

The certification process typically takes about 8-12 hours of coursework spread over several days or weeks. Courses are offered by both online providers and in-person training centers. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider, but generally ranges from $50-$200.

To get certified in Pet First Aid and CPR, individuals must complete an approved course taught by a qualified instructor. During the course, students learn important topics such as recognizing signs of distress in animals, providing basic first aid treatments for common injuries or illnesses, administering CPR to cats and dogs, understanding emergency transport procedures for pets, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate indicating their level of proficiency in Pet First Aid and CPR.

2. Animal Care and Handling Certification

Animal Care and Handling Certification is a certification program that provides training to those who work with animals in a variety of settings. This includes pet owners, animal care professionals, veterinary technicians, groomers, kennel attendants, zoo keepers, and more. The certification is designed to ensure that all individuals working with animals are knowledgeable about the best practices for animal care and handling.

The certification requires completion of an online course or an in-person workshop. The online course typically takes approximately 6 hours to complete and covers topics such as basic animal anatomy and physiology, nutrition, behavior, health care needs, safety protocols for handling animals, and the humane treatment of animals. The in-person workshop is usually conducted over two days and covers similar topics as the online course but also includes hands-on activities related to animal handling.

To obtain the Animal Care and Handling Certification you must first register for either the online course or in-person workshop. Once registered you will receive access to the materials needed for completion of the course or workshop. Upon successful completion of the program you will receive your certification from whichever organization or institution offered it (e.g., American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

The cost of obtaining Animal Care and Handling Certification varies depending on which organization or institution offers it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $50-$200 USD per person depending on whether you take an online course or attend an in-person workshop.

3. Pet Nutrition Certification

Pet Nutrition Certification is a certification program designed to help pet owners and professionals become more knowledgeable about the nutritional needs of their pets. It is offered by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN). This certification requires completion of a comprehensive course, passing an exam, and meeting certain criteria for continuing education.

The course covers topics such as nutrition physiology, nutrient requirements, food selection and preparation, health issues related to nutrition, and nutritional management of specific diseases. The course takes approximately 6-9 months to complete depending on the student’s pace.

To get certified in Pet Nutrition, you must first register for the ACVN's online course. You will then need to complete all required modules and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have passed the exam, you will be eligible for certification.

The cost of the Pet Nutrition Certification program is $495 USD plus applicable taxes.

4. Animal Behavior Certification

Animal Behavior Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have a specialized knowledge and experience in the study of animal behavior. The certification is offered by the Animal Behavior Society (ABS), a professional organization dedicated to advancing the science and understanding of animal behavior.

The certification process takes approximately 6-12 months to complete, depending on an individual's educational background and experience in the field. To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational requirements, such as having a bachelor's degree in biology or psychology, or equivalent coursework in animal behavior. Applicants must also pass two exams: one on basic principles of animal behavior and another on applied principles of animal behavior.

In addition to passing the exams, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from professionals in the field, provide evidence of at least two years of research or teaching experience related to animal behavior, and submit an application fee. The cost for certification is $100 for ABS members and $200 for non-members.

5. Canine Safety and Health Certification

Canine Safety and Health Certification is a program that certifies individuals who are knowledgeable in the health and safety of dogs. It is designed to provide dog owners, handlers, trainers, and groomers with the necessary tools to ensure that their dogs are safe and healthy. The certification process includes an online course, a written exam, and a practical exam.

The online course covers topics such as canine anatomy and physiology, basic first aid for dogs, canine nutrition, canine behavior, animal welfare laws, grooming techniques, and more. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the material covered in the course. The practical exam requires participants to demonstrate their skills in handling a dog safely and correctly.

The entire certification process typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete depending on how quickly you can complete the online course and exams. To get certified you must register for the program through an approved provider or organization. Once registered you will be sent all the necessary materials including instructions on how to complete the program.

The cost of Canine Safety and Health Certification varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200-$500 USD.

6. Kennel Management Certification

Kennel Management Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and operate a successful kennel. It covers topics such as animal health, safety, nutrition, housing, record keeping, customer service, marketing and more. The program typically takes between three to six months to complete and consists of online courses and hands-on training.

To get certified in Kennel Management, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. Generally speaking, this includes having at least two years of experience working with animals in a professional setting or completing an accredited animal care program. Once eligible, you can then register for the certification program through an approved provider.

The cost of Kennel Management Certification varies depending on the provider and the type of program chosen. Generally speaking, it ranges from $500-$1,000 USD for self-paced programs and up to $2,000 USD for instructor-led programs.

7. Veterinary Assistant Certification

Veterinary Assistant Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of competency in the field of veterinary assisting. It is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and skills in providing assistance to veterinarians and other animal health professionals.

The certification process typically takes six months or more, depending on the individual's prior experience and education. To become certified, applicants must first complete an approved veterinary assistant program and pass an exam administered by the American Association for Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Applicants must also submit proof of current employment as a veterinary assistant, as well as documentation of any continuing education courses taken since completing their program.

The cost of obtaining Veterinary Assistant Certification varies depending on the program chosen and other associated fees. Generally, the cost ranges from $100-$400 USD.

8. Dog Grooming Certificate

Dog Grooming Certificate is a professional qualification which demonstrates that the holder has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide professional grooming services for dogs. It is usually issued by a professional organization or educational institution that specializes in dog grooming. The certificate typically requires completion of a course or program, as well as passing an exam.

How long does it take to get it?

The length of time required to obtain a Dog Grooming Certificate can vary depending on the program chosen. Generally, most programs require between 100 and 200 hours of study and practice, but some may require more or less time.

How to get it?

To obtain a Dog Grooming Certificate, you must first find an approved program offered by an accredited institution or organization. Once you have chosen a program, you will need to complete all of the coursework and pass an exam in order to receive your certificate.

How much does it cost?

The cost of obtaining a Dog Grooming Certificate can vary depending on the program chosen. Generally, most programs range from $500-$1,000 USD for tuition and materials.

9. Animal Training Certificate

Animal Training Certificate is a certification program designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional animal trainer. This certificate program is typically offered by universities, colleges, and other educational institutions. It usually takes one year or more to complete the coursework and obtain the certificate.

In order to get an Animal Training Certificate, students must take courses in animal behavior, nutrition, health care, and training techniques. Depending on the institution offering the program, there may also be additional requirements such as hands-on experience with animals or completion of a research project. Upon successful completion of all required courses and exams, students will receive their Animal Training Certificate.

The cost of obtaining an Animal Training Certificate varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking, tuition fees for this type of program range from $500-$2,000 per semester or credit hour. Additional costs may include books and supplies as well as any applicable fees for laboratory work or field trips.

Overall, obtaining an Animal Training Certificate can be a great way to gain the skills necessary to pursue a career in animal training. It is important to research different programs available in order to find one that best fits your needs and budget.

10. Pet Grooming Certificate

Pet Grooming Certificate is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of pet groomers. It is issued by the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) and is recognized across the United States. This certification demonstrates that a groomer has met the standards set forth by the NDGAA and has demonstrated their ability to provide safe, quality grooming services for pets.

The process of obtaining a Pet Grooming Certificate typically takes between 6-12 months, depending on the level of experience and education of the individual applying. To get certified, applicants must first complete an online application form and submit it to the NDGAA. After submitting the application, applicants must then pass an exam which tests their knowledge in areas such as anatomy, nutrition, safety, and grooming techniques. Once they have passed this exam, they will receive their certificate from the NDGAA.

The cost for a Pet Grooming Certificate varies depending on how much experience or education you have prior to taking the exam. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $200-$500 USD for all necessary materials and fees associated with obtaining your certification.

11. Animal Welfare Certificate

Animal Welfare Certificate (AWC) is a certification program developed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The AWC is designed to ensure that animals in commercial settings, such as pet stores, breeders, and kennels, are treated humanely. The AWC focuses on five core areas: animal housing, nutrition, health care, handling and transport.

The AWC program requires businesses to meet or exceed standards set forth by the ASPCA. These standards are based on current scientific research and best practices in animal welfare. The AWC also requires businesses to provide documentation of their compliance with the standards. Businesses must submit an application and supporting documents to receive certification.

The process of obtaining an AWC takes approximately four weeks from start to finish. During this time, businesses must submit their application and supporting documents for review by the ASPCA's Animal Welfare Certification Board. Once approved, businesses will receive their certificate within two weeks.

The cost of obtaining an AWC varies depending on the size of the business and its location; however, most businesses can expect to pay between $500-$1,000 for the application fee plus any additional costs associated with meeting the standards set forth by the ASPCA.

Do You Really Need a Kennel Attendant Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no, you do not need a kennel attendant certificate. However, having one can be beneficial in certain circumstances.

If you are looking to become a professional kennel attendant or work in a pet care facility, then having a kennel attendant certificate can help demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of animal care and handling procedures. This is especially true if the facility requires specific certifications or qualifications for its employees. Having a certificate can also show potential employers that you have taken the time to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care for pets.

A kennel attendant certificate is also beneficial if you are looking to volunteer at an animal shelter or rescue organization. Many organizations require volunteers to have some sort of certification in order to ensure they are providing quality care for their animals. A kennel attendant certificate may provide the knowledge and skills needed to make sure all animals are being properly cared for while under your supervision.

In conclusion, while having a kennel attendant certificate is not absolutely necessary, it can be beneficial in certain circumstances such as when applying for professional pet care positions or volunteering with animal shelters and rescue organizations. Therefore, if you are considering becoming a professional kennel attendant or working with animals in any capacity, obtaining a kennel attendant certificate may be worth considering.

Related: Kennel Attendant Resume Examples

FAQs About Kennel Attendant Certifications

1. What is the purpose of Kennel Attendant Certification?

Answer: The purpose of Kennel Attendant Certification is to provide professional credentials verifying a person’s knowledge and ability to work with animals in a kennel setting. It demonstrates that an individual has the necessary skills required to provide quality care for animals in a safe and humane manner.

2. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining Kennel Attendant Certification?

Answer: Yes, individuals must have at least one year of experience working with animals in a kennel setting or have completed an approved training course prior to taking the certification exam.

3. How long is Kennel Attendant Certification valid?

Answer: Certifications are generally valid for two years and must be renewed every two years by completing continuing education requirements or retaking the certification exam.

4. What topics are covered on the Kennel Attendant Certification Exam?

Answer: The exam covers topics such as animal nutrition, health and safety, grooming, behavior, facility management, record keeping and legal considerations related to working with animals in a kennel setting.

5. Is there any cost associated with obtaining Kennel Attendant Certification?

Answer: Yes, there is typically a fee associated with taking the certification exam which varies depending on the organization offering it.