Whelping Kennel Manager
About the role
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is seeking a dedicated Whelping Kennel Manager to oversee daily operations, care, and enrichment for pregnant broods, whelping mothers, neonates, and puppies up to six weeks of age. This role requires a leader who is comfortable working alongside their team, providing hands-on animal husbandry oversight, and supporting medical care and clinical support.
Responsibilities
Oversee daily kennel operations, including care, management, enrichment, and socialization of pregnant broods, whelping mothers, neonates, and puppies.
Direct and support the kennel team to ensure appropriate coverage across all areas of care, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, whelping support, medication administration, and critical care cases.
Provide hands-on animal husbandry oversight by actively participating in Kennel Technician duties, including feeding, bathing, health checks, grooming, medicating, medical treatments, and quarantine procedures.
Maintain strict adherence to disease control, biosecurity, and quarantine protocols, ensuring a safe, clean, and controlled kennel environment.
Support clinical oversight in coordination with veterinary staff, performing and supporting medical treatments, diagnostics, and clinical procedures.
Supervise, train, and mentor kennel staff to support professional growth, independence, and critical thinking.
Collaborate with Veterinary, Genetics/Breeding, Breeding Kennel, and Home and Early Socialization teams to ensure alignment with organizational goals, animal welfare standards, and care continuity.
Coordinate with external partner schools as needed to support singleton or abandoned puppies requiring specialized care or placement.
Develop and implement strategies to continuously improve the health and well-being of puppies in care.
Qualifications
Minimum of three (3) years of management experience, with demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a team in a hands-on environment.
Some whelping experience preferred, including exposure to caring for pregnant broods, neonates, and puppy development in a kennel, veterinary, or professional dog care setting.
Hands-on experience performing Kennel Technician duties in a kennel, veterinary, or training setting; Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) welcome.
Strong ability to build relationships, foster teamwork, and create a positive, collaborative environment.
Clear, confident communicator with the ability to coach staff and explain animal behavior and care concepts in a practical, approachable way.
Sound judgment with the ability to assess situations quickly and make confident decisions regarding animal care and staffing needs.
Comfortable adapting to changing priorities and thriving in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and keep daily operations running smoothly.
Flexible availability, including overnight shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Sound understanding of dog behavior and puppy development, with the ability to recognize healthy behaviors and support appropriate care using positive methods.
Dependable, punctual, and consistently demonstrates professionalism and personal integrity.
Physically capable of working in an active kennel environment, including lifting and controlling dogs up to 65–75 lbs and performing repetitive physical tasks on concrete surfaces.