14 Kennel Attendant Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various kennel attendant interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Kennel Attendant Interview Questions
- How did you get interested in animal care?
- What experience do you have working with animals?
- What qualities do you think are important in a successful kennel attendant?
- How would you deal with a difficult or uncooperative animal?
- What do you think are the most important aspects of animal care?
- How would you deal with a sick or injured animal?
- What do you think are the most important things to remember when caring for animals?
- How would you deal with a situation where an animal escaped from its enclosure?
- What do you think are the most important things to remember when cleaning animal enclosures?
- How would you deal with a situation where an animal is displaying aggressive behavior?
- What do you think are the most important things to remember when feeding animals?
- How would you deal with a situation where an animal is not eating?
- What do you think are the most important things to remember when exercising animals?
- How would you deal with a situation where an animal is injured during exercise?
How did you get interested in animal care?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask "How did you get interested in animal care?" to a kennel attendant. First, the interviewer wants to know if the kennel attendant has a genuine interest in animal care or if they are just looking for any job. Second, the interviewer wants to know if the kennel attendant has the necessary skills and knowledge to care for animals. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the kennel attendant is able to handle the physical demands of the job.
Example: “I have always been interested in animal care, ever since I was a child. I would always help my parents take care of our family pets, and I even volunteered at the local animal shelter during high school. After graduation, I decided to pursue a career in animal care and enrolled in a veterinary technician program. Once I graduated from the program, I began working as a kennel attendant at a local animal hospital. I absolutely love my job and feel very lucky to be able to work with animals every day.”
What experience do you have working with animals?
The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of the candidate's experience and comfort level working with animals. This is important because the kennel attendant will be responsible for the care and welfare of the animals in their charge. The ability to work effectively with animals is essential for this role.
Example: “I have worked with animals for over 10 years. I have experience in a variety of settings, including shelters, rescues, boarding facilities, and veterinary hospitals. I have experience caring for a wide variety of animals, from dogs and cats to reptiles and rodents. I am comfortable handling and caring for all types of animals.”
What qualities do you think are important in a successful kennel attendant?
The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of what qualities the kennel attendant believes are important for the job. This can help the interviewer determine if the kennel attendant is a good fit for the position. It is important for a kennel attendant to be able to handle a variety of tasks, including cleaning, feeding, and exercising the animals. They must also be able to work well with other people, as they will be interacting with customers on a daily basis.
Example: “A successful kennel attendant should be patient, organized, and have a love for animals. They should be able to handle multiple tasks at once and be able to work well under pressure. They should also have excellent customer service skills as they will be interacting with pet owners on a daily basis.”
How would you deal with a difficult or uncooperative animal?
The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of how the kennel attendant would deal with a difficult or uncooperative animal in order to gauge their level of experience and expertise. It is important for the interviewer to know how the kennel attendant would handle this type of situation because it can be a difficult and stressful experience for both the animal and the person trying to care for them.
Example: “If I were faced with a difficult or uncooperative animal, the first thing I would do is try to assess the situation and figure out what might be causing the problem. If the animal is in pain or seems to be afraid, I would try to calm it down and make it feel more comfortable. If the animal is just being uncooperative, I would try to figure out what it wants and see if there is anything I can do to help.”
What do you think are the most important aspects of animal care?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a kennel attendant. First, they may be gauging the kennel attendant's understanding of what is involved in animal care. Second, they may be trying to determine if the kennel attendant has the necessary skills to perform the job. Finally, the interviewer may be trying to assess the kennel attendant's commitment to animal care. All of these factors are important in determining whether or not a kennel attendant is a good fit for the position.
Example: “The most important aspects of animal care are providing them with a clean and safe environment, proper nutrition, and plenty of exercise and enrichment.”
How would you deal with a sick or injured animal?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the kennel attendant's compassion and level of care they would provide to an animal in their care. It is important to the interviewer because they want to make sure that the kennel attendant would be able to provide the proper level of care and attention to the animals in their facility.
Example: “If I noticed that an animal in my care was sick or injured, I would take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. I would also make sure to keep them comfortable and safe, and monitor their condition closely until they recovered.”
What do you think are the most important things to remember when caring for animals?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the kennel attendant's level of knowledge and experience in caring for animals. It is important to remember the basic needs of animals when caring for them, such as food, water, shelter, and exercise. It is also important to be familiar with the signs of illness and stress in animals so that they can be treated promptly.
Example: “The most important thing to remember when caring for animals is to always be gentle with them. Animals can sense when someone is feeling anxious or angry, and they may become agitated if they feel that way from their caretaker. It is also important to be patient when caring for animals, as they may not always understand what is happening or why.”
How would you deal with a situation where an animal escaped from its enclosure?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the kennel attendant's ability to think on their feet and handle a potentially dangerous situation. It is important for the kennel attendant to be able to remain calm and take quick, decisive action in such a situation.
Example: “If an animal were to escape from its enclosure, the first thing I would do is try to locate the animal. I would look for any signs of where the animal may have gone and try to follow its tracks. If I was unable to find the animal, I would then notify the owner or manager so they could begin a search as well.”
What do you think are the most important things to remember when cleaning animal enclosures?
There are a few key things to remember when cleaning animal enclosures:
1. Make sure to clean the enclosure thoroughly - this means removing all waste and debris, and disinfecting all surfaces.
2. Be careful not to disturb the animals too much - they may be stressed by the cleaning process and it could impact their health.
3. Take care when handling cleaning products - some can be toxic to animals if used incorrectly.
4. Follow the instructions of the enclosure manufacturer - they will know best how to clean their products safely.
Example: “The most important things to remember when cleaning animal enclosures are to use gloves, to avoid using too much water pressure, and to make sure all surfaces are dried thoroughly.”
How would you deal with a situation where an animal is displaying aggressive behavior?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the kennel attendant's ability to handle difficult situations. It is important to be able to calmly and confidently deal with aggressive behavior in animals, as it can be a safety hazard. The interviewer wants to know that the kennel attendant is capable of remaining calm and collected in a potentially dangerous situation.
Example: “If an animal is displaying aggressive behavior, the first thing that I would do is try to identify the root cause of the aggression. Once the root cause has been identified, I would then work on a plan to address the aggression. This plan may include things like behavior modification, training, and/or environmental enrichment. I would also make sure to keep a close eye on the animal in question and take steps to ensure the safety of both the animal and those around it.”
What do you think are the most important things to remember when feeding animals?
One of the most important things to remember when feeding animals is to make sure that the food is fresh and free of contaminants. It is also important to ensure that the food is properly portioned and that the animals have access to clean, fresh water.
Example: “The most important things to remember when feeding animals are to ensure that the food is fresh and of good quality, to portion the food correctly according to the animal's size and appetite, and to provide clean water at all times.”
How would you deal with a situation where an animal is not eating?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the kennel attendant's ability to think on their feet and deal with difficult situations. It is important for the kennel attendant to be able to identify and solve problems as they arise, without needing constant supervision.
Example: “If an animal is not eating, the first thing to do is to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any medical reasons for the lack of appetite. Once any medical causes have been ruled out, there are a few things that can be done to try and encourage the animal to eat.
First, make sure that the food you are offering is fresh and appealing. If the food has been sitting out for a while or is not appealing to the animal, they may not be interested in eating it.
Another thing that can be done is to offer a variety of foods. Some animals may be picky eaters and may only want to eat certain types of food. Offering a variety of foods may help entice them to eat.
Finally, if all else fails, force-feeding may be necessary. This should only be done under the supervision of a veterinarian or qualified professional.”
What do you think are the most important things to remember when exercising animals?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a kennel attendant. First, they may be trying to gauge the kennel attendant's level of experience and knowledge. Second, they may be trying to assess the kennel attendant's ability to handle animals. Finally, they may be trying to determine whether or not the kennel attendant is a good fit for the position.
Some of the most important things to remember when exercising animals include: making sure the animal has plenty of water to drink, making sure the animal is not over-exerted, and making sure the animal is not left unattended.
Example: “There are a few things to keep in mind when exercising animals:
1. Make sure the animal is comfortable and not in pain.
2. Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of the exercise.
3. Be aware of the animal's breathing and heart rate, and make sure they don't become overexerted.
4. Make sure the animal has access to water and take breaks as needed.
5. Be aware of your own energy levels and be careful not to exhaust yourself - animals can sense when you're tired and may try to push themselves harder than they should.”
How would you deal with a situation where an animal is injured during exercise?
An interviewer would ask this question to a kennel attendant to gauge their ability to handle difficult situations. It is important for kennel attendants to be able to deal with difficult situations because they are responsible for the care of the animals.
Example: “If an animal is injured during exercise, the first thing I would do is stop the exercise immediately and assess the situation. If the animal is in pain, I would comfort them and try to keep them calm. I would then check the injury to see how serious it is and whether it requires immediate medical attention. If it is a minor injury, I would clean and bandage it as best as I can. If it is a more serious injury, I would call for help from a veterinarian or animal rescue organization.”