I work as a Pet Care Technician in the kennel of a small animal hospital in central Florida. My typical starts at 7 am, putting the boarding dogs in outside runs. They have been in their pens since 5 pm the previous day, so they are barking happily and it gets rather noisy! I then prepare and distribute their morning meals.
While they are outside, I clean and disinfect their pens and the kennel floor. The cats are next, they are so easy to take care of -- a clean litter box, more food and fresh water.
It is then walk time for the dogs. We have a nice grassy, fenced-in area where they can walk and bark at the traffic.
During all this activity, we have incoming dogs and cats, either for surgery, check-ups, baths or boarding.
I usually save bath time until approximately 11 am or so. I like to let the pets calm down a bit before I put them in the tub for their "spa" time.
By noontime, everyone is back in their respective pens for "nap" time. This is when I get to eat my lunch and sit down for a bit.
By 1 pm or so, I put everyone out in their runs again, weather permitting. Now I catch up on laundry, refilling food containers, litter containers, shampoo bottles, taking out the trash, etc. This is also when I brush and groom the pets that have had baths.
By 3:30 pm, owners are arriving to pick up their pets. This is the most fun time for me -- when owners and pets are reunited.
When everyone has left for home, usually 5 pm, I once again walk the dogs that are staying the night. They are put back in their pens with fresh water and a blanket, if it is going to be cool overnight. A few treats are usually distributed also. I then say "good night", put on the night lights and shut the door until the next day when we do it all over again.
I love this job!
