veterinary technician

veterinary assistant

customer service representative

veterinary receptionist

pet sitter

VCA Animal Hospitals

I've worked for VCA for several months now and while the team I work with is wonderful; very helpful, positive, and supportive right from the start - I cannot say the same about the ideologies of VCA as a whole. VCA doesn't look out for the well-being of the kennel staff despite their efforts and instead caters to the clients needs no matter how inconvenient it is for the kennel staff. We are used rather then given a systematic solution to our job and we have to accept this or leave. 

As a kennel attendant, the pay is decent - at first - until you realize how much work you are lined up against; checking in/out both on paper and computer (a lot of the work you do is redundant), texting and sending photos to clients, completing any spa treatments like baths or nail trims, completing daily task checklists for cleaning, walks (can be anywhere from 8 dogs to 16+ dogs to walk on holidays), and then rinse and repeat. I consider myself a very skilled person who learned my job in two weeks, but the work load is overwhelming even for me.

There is a reoccurring theme of Kennel attendants often being left in the dark compared to the rest of the hospital and that applies to VCA - kennel staff working by themselves (1 person per shift) no matter how much work there is. While help is available from techs, the pressure remains and these pressures are often dismissed my management as they inform you that the work load doesn't all need to be done if unable to  which gives the impression that the kennel staff are being squeezed of both their abilities and time. 

After bringing this issue up with management did they start having 2 kennel attendants scheduled per shift. Scheduling needs improvements though as it doesn't always reflect the world load of the day or week which can lead to 1 person being alone and there being 16+ dogs to care for and 3 baths to do on a busy month; this has happened to me many times! This issue was brought to managements attention and the kennel staff were told that we should inform management in advance, even after schedules are made,  if another staff member would be needed. Basically - you have to look out for yourself. Again, kennel attendants are left in the dark.

There are also no drop off or pick up times for boarding either - clients can come when they want - even if 10 mins prior to closing or even book last minute if they want to. This causes a lot of frustration since not only is the work load intense already - but when clients drop off at any time - we end up running around like headless chickens trying to cope. Doctors and techs all have scheduled times for their appointments to meet their needs but the kennel staff do not have this, leaving room for getting burnt out. I reached out to management with an in-depth letter on reasons why there should be a drop off time/pick-up time and I was shut down and told simply that "VCA is client oriented and they will do what is convenient for their clients." I was also told " It's better for them to come when they want, then to arrive all at once." Dismissed - ignored - the kennel staff's input doesn't matter. They can buy you things to make your job easier but when it comes to implementing a structured system into the kennel work space that works for the kennel staff so we can do a better job for the company - it's brushed off. Here is part of my letter that I wrote to management:

1. Boarding drop off times & Pick up times (examples: Drop off 8am-10am - Pick up 4pm-6pm)
   
        a. Drop off after 7am feeding & medication times - but before 11am walks
        b. Pickup after 3pm walks - but before 5:40pm feedings
        c. Dr & Techs both have scheduled appointments; kennels should also have this due to the nature of the patients stay
        d. Scheduled drop off/pick-up times improves both hospital and kennel work flow;  means better time management
        e. Helps kennel staff or anyone on kennel duty care for boarders more effectively; medication administering, exams, spas, texts, photos, checklists, etc.
        f. 1 person is often scheduled per shift; adding pressure to kennel staff to cope with unpredictable drop off and pick up times
        g. Drop off/pick up times allow a window time for emergency boarding care
        h. Previous hospitals I have been employed at had drop off and pick up times and it enforced a reliable system both for staff and clients
        i. Less stress/burn out for kennel staff or anyone on duty for kennels; it is physically demanding
        j. This suggestion has been brought to management's attention before and we were told this could not be done 
        k. Improves new hires chances of staying employed with company due to structure/system in place
        l. Helps hospital cater to clients who are willing to work with us to make caring for their animals easier while also looking after the kennel's staff well-being.

When a job is so client focused to the point where staff members are given the runaround - especially when it comes to our well-being - the business as a whole is questioned.  VCA has great team members and has a lot of potential to be better if they only listened more to their employees; we really enjoy being part of the company if only our issues were taken seriously. When your voice goes unheard and you are told that your opinion matters when it really doesn't - yet the rest of the hospital enjoys more structure then you do - that is when the job becomes defeating and loses it's credibility. 



Pros

I want to start with the positives, because there truly were many.

The clients and their pets are wonderful. It’s a smaller practice, which allows you to build real relationships with clients and see familiar faces regularly. That was genuinely the highlight of my days.

The team culture among most staff members is welcoming and supportive. The LVTs are knowledgeable and helpful, and the doctors are excellent clinicians. I greatly enjoyed working alongside my coworkers.

Company benefits are competitive for the field, and advancement opportunities exist for those who pursue them. Compensation is in line with expectations for the role. The hospital is well maintained physically and easy to navigate. The ability to bring your pet for day boarding is also a nice perk and creates a warm, animal-loving atmosphere.

Cons

Unfortunately, the challenges ultimately outweighed the positives.

Training:
Training is inconsistent and heavily dependent on the individual trainer. There is no standardized, structured training process across positions, which leads to outdated or incomplete information being passed along. Policies and procedural updates are not consistently communicated, which can result in employees unknowingly following outdated protocols and being corrected later. Much of the most reliable training came from experienced coworkers rather than formal systems.

Staffing and Cross-Training Expectations:
Unless clearly defined in writing, role boundaries can become fluid. Staff members outside of LVT or DVM positions are frequently scheduled across multiple departments, regardless of their intended career focus. This may suit employees who enjoy variety, but it can be frustrating for those trying to develop skills within a specific track. 

Software and Operational Processes:
The primary hospital software is slow and prone to crashing. Many processes are outdated and leave room for preventable errors. After working in a more streamlined environment elsewhere, it became clear how much inefficiency impacts daily workflow and stress levels of both employees and clients.

Hospital Management (excluding the Medical Director and upper corporate leadership):
The most significant concern is direct hospital management. Workplace culture appears influenced more by personal favoritism than by performance or professionalism. Expectations are not always applied consistently, and follow-through on commitments can be unreliable if you do not get them in writing. 

Delegation of managerial responsibilities to staff sometimes interferes with employees’ core job duties. 

Employees with outside responsibilities such as secondary jobs, childcare, school, or family/religious obligations may find flexibility limited. Management emphasizes employee support in principle; however, implementation of that support can be inconsistent.

Additionally, while management states that abusive client behavior is not tolerated, enforcement of this policy appears inconsistent. Some problematic clients are retained despite repeated concerns from staff.

Overall, the work itself is meaningful and fulfilling. The clients and coworkers are what make the job special. However, long-term job satisfaction is significantly impacted in a very negative way by management. I ultimately chose to continue my career elsewhere, but with more consistent professional leadership and clearer communication, I would have stayed.

As an emergency veterinary clinic, VCA is naturally a very high stress environment.  It is walk-in only; clients are generally upset (understandable in an emergency situation) and the clinic is located in a lower-income area, though the prices don't reflect that.  The doctors here are mostly hired from a third-party group, and very few of them are employed by VCA.  Staff is told to make sure all treatments and billing meet company standards.  This sometimes causes strife between doctors and staff, as the manager is never on site during clinic hours.

Expectations of quality patient care are high, but often (especially since COVID) people are hired with ZERO experience in the veterinary field.  Often this means someone is constantly training, though usually no additional staff are scheduled for the purposes of providing quality training. 

The work is very fulfilling, when you are allowed to properly treat the pet or if it is a minor issue.  However, there is a high rate of declined or delayed treatment due to financial concerns of the owners, and this can be heartbreaking and frustrating, especially when so many of your patients are critically ill or injured to the point take-home care is inadvisable.  This also leads to a lot of euthanasias.

VCA, especially since being acquired by Mars, has great benefits for veterinary, including ~20% 401k contribution matching, medical, vision, and dental insurance, and employer-paid life insurance.  They also offered short and long-term disability insurance.  Maternity leave and sick days had recently been increased at the time I left (to 5 sick days), though I don't remember how long maternity leave was.
VCA also has an agreement with Penn Foster to pay for education to become a licensed technician, which requires that you work for VCA for two years after completion.
Compensation is good for the veterinary field, below expected for the hours and days you must work.

Unfortunately, due to poor management and exacerbated by COVID, work culture was suffering greatly at the time I left.  All staff were very dissatisfied, even a few of the doctors.  The clinic is open nights, weekends, and holidays and your schedule never changes.  Schedules are flexible in the sense that you may swap shifts with someone or give a shift away as long as no one gets overtime.  You may be told that you may not take vacation at certain times because too many people will be gone.  New hires tend to burn themselves out covering shifts, and you must have your own shifts covered if you are sick.  The manager is friendly enough but very ineffective, and it is obvious that she has a few favorites.  Training on new procedures or methods from VCA is either an online video or idle talk.  In the ten years I worked there, we had one paid training that only four staff were allowed to attend.  VCA in general is very vocal about continued education for their staff but implements it poorly.  Their hosted training is largely training on treatment and prevention of chronic conditions.
Lunch breaks are not scheduled, and some days you're lucky if you get to eat at all.

First off if you have interest in working in a vet clinic, but necessarily don’t have any experience, starting in the kennel is probably the best option for you. This position will allow you to help in the clinic when needed, work independently, learn how to administer medication and learn different usage of medications. You’ll be able to learn first hand if the animal medical industry is for you. 

Secondly, there is a ton of cleaning involved. Of course working in a kennel that’s something to expect. However, don’t come expecting to play or snuggle with the cats/dogs all day. Because although you’ll be around them doesn’t necessarily mean they are the main part of the job. Cleaning will be. 

Third, you will need a lot of patience. On holidays the kennel will be very loud. It is very easy to feel overwhelmed in this industry. Plus on top of that you are expected to do everything in a timely manner. If tasks are not completed you will get emails from your supervisors instead of being spoke to directly. 

Pro: Something I did like about this company is the dogs are walked four times each day. Depending on how many dogs are boarding, the walks could range from 10 to 15 minutes! You will mostly be working independently during your shift. With this position you will also be providing nail trims, baths, and cleaning ears. Personally I know I wasn’t very good at doing nail trims before this job, but here you will be doing a lot. Another pro here is being able to assist the vet team with restraining for blood draws, nails, and restraining for them to give injections was educational. 
At VCA Noah’s there is a chance that you’ll be able to move from kennel to vet assistant/technician or as a receptionist. 

Cons: The management here really lacks. The kennel supervisor and the manager of this part of the company is mother and son. This dynamic of management has made it difficult to stand up for oneself. Especially in the kennel. In my own opinion there is no respect for the kennel attendants or anyone who is learning. Management is quick to change attitude for anyone who tries to voice their concerns or opinions. As for myself never once was I comfortable enough to voice my concerns or opinions to the manager on how the kennel supervisor ran the department. There were many incidents I believed a pet should have seen a doctor or even let the parent know of their pets health, but those concerns were dismissed by the supervisor where at one point it was mentioned if it’s not a concern of mine they (the pets) are fine. Another con is management will not speak to you directly. If something isn’t done correctly or done immediately you will be sent an email or a text message. Be prepared to be bombarded with emails for kennel and even vet related. 
Another issue is the fence in the kennel yard. A ton of the posts are rusted, sharp and rough. The repairs have either been disregarded or not planned. I was constantly worried that a dog was going to get their paw pads sliced. 

An individual has many opportunities within the company. Plus there is many locations around the world. With time an individual could move through the hospital and go higher if one wanted to. 




VCA Falcon Village is not an enjoyable place to work and the main reason for that being, the management.  

I worked for VCA for over a year as a full-time Kennel Attendant and after the first three months it became apparent that they had issues. I had previous experience in kennel management as well as with animals and this is the worst hospital I have worked for. 

The management doesn’t communicate well with the employees, they ignore employee suggestions and seem to turn off their ears when you come up with ideas that would make things run smoother and more efficiently. They also seem incapable of making a schedule and instead schedule people for 11 hours shifts when they could easily have them work for 6 or even 8 hours multiple days a week with it being less straining. However, that is only a small part as to why I would NOT recommend working here. 

They talk about being close-knit and having a family dynamic when in reality, the kennel attendants get talked down to and are nothing more than glorified janitors. The only real time you interact with animals is when you’re walking them in the morning or evening, bringing them inside from their owners and putting them immediately in a cage, or if one of the techs/doctors ask for assistance, which is few and far between. 

The management is so fickle and change their attitudes on a dime. One day being nice, personable and understanding and then in two hours being rude, belligerent and spiteful.

Your days consist of clean this, clean that, do laundry, reception calling you to mop something like they think you're not busy, empty trash, scoop feces, go get this food for us from downstairs, get this dog from grooming, oh you’ve already cleaned that, well do it again.

This especially got one-hundred times worse when COVID hit and we had no boarders or animals coming in most days. We would clean and clean, then try and find something to do for eleven hours so we wouldn’t go insane or get yelled out for not doing anything.

When I was initially hired, the manager said that after six months if I had interest in becoming a vet tech, they would pay for me to go back to school. However after I was hired, nothing was ever mentioned about that opportunity again. 

Now on a different note, although I have talked about many negative aspects of the job, not everything was horrible. l did get along with most of my co-workers and doctors. I learned things that I hadn’t previously known about procedures, why certain things are done the way they are and more medical information. I also grew to love and build a relationship with many of our regular furry patients. The benefits and insurance are also very good because they are a part of such a large company. However, the management made almost everything else unbearable. 

If you are looking to get into a job working with animals or wanting to learn more about being a vet, technician, etc. I would HIGHLY recommend pursuing a job somewhere else. 


VCA Lawrence is very reliable with job security; they give me ample opportunity to work the hours I need.

A typical day at VCA Lawrence Animal includes answer multiple phone calls on 4 different lines throughout the day, whereby my fellow receptionists and I are handling many client concerns, and providing many different client services over the phone. The day also includes checking clients in and out of the hospital, whereby we are obtaining patient's weights, making sure rooms are clean and stocked for Doctors and technicians, communicating any client concerns about their pet(s) to the technician and doctor, calming the patients down if they have anxiety issues, keeping aggressive animals separate and rooming right away if necessary, charging clients out, and answering any final questions they may have. We are to make sure the client leaves happy, fully comprehends everything that was discussed during the appointment, and be the people to calm them down if they are upset.

We also have to make sure the hospital remains clean throughout the day.

All receptionists are also required to make sure specific tasks are completed before the day ends; such as appointment confirmation calls for the next day, recheck calls to see how the patient is doing since their last appointment, vaccine reminder calls to get clients to bring in their pets to update specific vaccines that are due (or other services), preparing medical record charts for upcoming future appointments, auditing patient medical records, filing, and properly closing down the hospital. The closing process involves many technical responsibilities.

The hardest part of the job is the high stress involved with the heavy multitasking. You are pulled in many different directions at one time; from answering phones to checking in clients, charging out clients, handling incoming clients who are purchasing products or requesting other services at the time of the walk-in, training, and answering questions from fellow co workers. The volume of the workload is sometimes overwhelming and responsibilities are constantly being added to our task lists. It is a high demand job.

The most enjoyable part of the job is being able to connect with the clients and their pets. I also cherish the relationships I have developed with some of my coworkers and enjoy being able to choose how I wish to look. There is only a minor dress code.

I have learned a lot from this job; including client & conflict management, where I have gained confidence in being able to properly handle complaints and interoffice conflicts, or conflict in between clients and the company. I have learned how to firmly establish a trusting relationship with clients and how to successfully handle many things at one time. I can juggle a lot at one time. I have also learned a lot about animal behavior and health management.

VCA cares more about profits than people, even in the face of all we've been through this year, working conditions and treatment have only worsened.  

I was open with management and HR about chronic medical diagnoses, the advanced diagnostics delayed for months by COVID-19, tests that might have averted the frequent trial-and-error-induced side-effects that impacted my punctuality just as much.  The circumstances and the marked improvement I'd nonetheless managed over time went unacknowledged.    

Already burned out and exhausted, I then had a workday in which I was working consecutive appointments. I seriously considered calling in sick for the next day, but I didn't have the heart to make my colleague go through the same.  

No good deed goes unpunished.  

Between a "Murphy's Law"-type morning and the carry-over fatigue, I had one slip after weeks of no lapses at all.  None of this mattered to management; I was promptly ordered to clock out, making my effort all for nothing.    

Management and HR can't be trusted to be forthright;  the following week:
- I had to ask whether or not I should work my next scheduled shift, and didn't get so much as a vague 'let's just plan to keep you home' response until I had almost arrived.  
- No information on what lay ahead other than a meeting to "discuss next steps".  
- I had to try to resign for HR to bother telling me 'oh, we already fired you days ago'.  
- I had to wait another day to be told what that specific date was, much less get my final paycheck.  

During that time, I spent a few days in something of a mental health crisis.  
Management *knew* of my mental state after I'd been ordered to clock out.  
Not one of them asked about me; not one could be bothered to respond the one time I tried to reach out.  

I wasn't worth being kept in the loop regarding my own job status.  
I wasn't worth the effort of a prompt final paycheck.  
In the end, I wasn't even worth being treated as a valued and supportive former employee.  I was discarded and left feeling utterly betrayed and severely burned.  

Management doesn't care about your health problems, your financial struggles or ailing family, and it doesn't matter how hard-working and dedicated you are.  They will overwork you even as your health suffers, demand that you pay them, then throw you away for their own advancement.  

It happened to me. 
It's happening to another colleague as I write this.  

All of your love for what you do and all of your hard-working dedication and support ultimately mean nothing to a corporate chain such as VCA Animal Hospitals; in the end, it's all about what money they can get out of you.  Always has been.

I enjoyed the fact that Southpaws has multiple specialties and boarded DVM’s on staff, however they do not utilize their licensed technicians to the fullest nor foster critical thinking(we were required to ask the DVM on the case if we could provide heat support to an anesthetized or sedated patient. That’s like asking if a DVM needs suture for a laceration repair!), and even though they may approve time off in the beginning, they do not follow through, will retract it,  and will also completely change your schedule without your permission(ie. From days to nights or nights to days) then expect you to accommodate that. 

The technical aspects of various procedures(including anesthesia) also need improvement. A patient was provided no heat support during the anesthesia procedure and came out with a temperature of 93* 

Many times small patients(including cats) are on a circuit that is supposed to be used for a large dog. The non-rebreather just sits there growing dust as well as the ventilator. 

More often than not, no heat support is provided during them. 

They are so particular about how many pieces of tape you use to tape in your IVC’s and how you attach a T-set to the IVC, that they will literally stand over you and reprimand you in front of everyone if you use anything other than 4 pieces and if you tape the t-set “wrong.” Your also not allowed to bandage IVC’s on short-legged animals in the ICU to help keep them patent longer. 

NG/NE tubes are only allowed to be stapled in, not sutured in and are left unsecured(your not allowed to tape extra tubing to E-collars or lightly place vet wrap to attach extra tube to) so they often occlude all the time or too much tension is put on the staples that the tubes come out and need to be replaced often. It’s also not allowed(or is a fight) to be secured to the nasal septum. 

Critical thinking is frowned upon(foresight implement things to keep IVC’s patent longer, or NE/NG tubes in, provide heat support, or even using lidocaine to aid in intubation of cats.) Everything has to be specifically asked to the DVM in charge of the case. 

If you are an experienced technician that has already developed and honed your skills, you will not do well here unless you conform to their standards, even if they are detrimental to the patient. 

When bringing things up to management about the above situations you then become the problem because your doing things “different.” 

I enjoyed my time and initially things went well but they need to keep up with the advancements in ER/ECC and allow their technicians to do their jobs. Upper management also needs improvements. 

While I liked my doctors and coworkers at my specific hospital, there is a real disconnect from upper management and support staff. Being a large company, it is hard to have your concerns or complaints heard. The upper management clearly does not relate to or understand the view points of the technicians and support staff. The days they would visit the hospital. Money, and no their employees, are their main focus. 

My other main complaint is the poor benefits. The rate of PTO and sick time accrual is extremely low. You earn per hour worked, at a snails pace. Sick time is given to you one day per quarter. Its impossible to take any time off during your first year, without financial strain, so unforeseen circumstances, like a funeral or family emergency, will leave you broke. Even after the first year, the accrual rate is much lower than the smaller private practices I have worked for, and even the non profits I have worked for. There are only 3 paid holidays/year. Also lower than any other place I have worked. In my case, my hospital is closed for Memorial Day, Labor Day, and July 4th. That means that we just lose that full day of pay. We have no option to work it. Also, if your scheduled off already on a paid holiday, you don't get paid for that holiday. For example, if your schedule is normally Tuesday-Friday, and Christmas falls on a Monday, you do not get paid for Christmas, because you don't normally work that day, so you are paid for four days and work four days. However, employees who work Monday-Thursday will only work three days that week, but get paid for four, because they will get paid for that Christmas on a Monday. This is an unfair system. 

Health insurance is bare minimum. Deductibles are high, and they don't cover several birth control options, nor do they cover many other "optional" medical procedures or visits. 

If you are a salaried employee, your benefits are much better. Hourly employees get the short end of the stick, and often end up feeling undervalued and underappreciated. 

VCA is a billion dollar company. There is no excuse for employee benefits to be so low, contributing to high turn over rate on the support staff levels (which, in turn, effects patient care.) Outstanding patient care and customer service STARTS with the staff.

HORRIBLE practice manager.  Has absolutely no idea how to manage a team, how to create a cohesive, positive work environment or resolve conflicts.  Management focus is on what everyone is doing WRONG, with no recognition for a job well done, or initative taken. Spends much of her time trying to find mistakes that were made, and will sometimes even set staff members up to "test" them - stupid things like calling the practice when it is crazy busy to see how many rings it takes to answer.  Or put a towel on the floor in treatment to see how many people walk by it and don't pick it up.  

Practice manager has been unable, in the 3 years there, to hire and keep veterinarians, supervisors (except her young son who is the kennel "manager"), technicians or reception staff.  In fact, all but one vet, 2 techs and 1 receptionist have quit since she arrived, and turnover among new hires is just as bad.  

Lots of drama, gossip and tension, and very clique=y.  Feels like you are back in high school with all the drama.....and nothing is done to stop it.  In fact, the manager is often at the center of it, gossiping about employee issues to other employees.

Sadly, the REGIONAL manager for VCA has been told repeatedly by the entire staff - including the veterinarians - of these issues but does absolutely nothing about it.  The practice manager keeps her job while dedicated, talented, decent staff with good work ethic walk out the revolving door.  

Since they partner with Antech, don't expect to do any lab work - including fecals.  It ALL gets sent out to Antech.  You may, rarely, do some ear or skin cytology, maybe some urine in a critical case, but that's about it.

VCA Noah's is also the primary veterinary care source for Petland puppies.  Which, if you know anything at all about the puppy industry, you know that these dogs come from puppy mills.  Yet Noah's has partnered with them to provide initial vaccines, exams and treatments, as well as first vet visits for all Petland puppies.  Kind of sold their sold to the devil.

And last, if you don't like being pushed to fill quotas for wellness packages, medications and services, avoid this place like the plague.

The sad part is, it COULD be a great practice.  It's a beautiful facility, and VCA as an overall company offers a lot more than most small private clinics.  They offer a variety of benefits, uniform allowances, vacation time.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Veterinary technician 103 salaries reported	$25.74 per hour
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Customer service representative 55 salaries reported	$19.58 per hour
Veterinary receptionist 17 salaries reported	$18.79 per hour
Pet sitter 200 salaries reported	$31.00 per hour

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