For pet kennels, seasonal swings aren’t just about warmer weather and holiday rushes—they're about managing sudden surges in furry guests with just the right team in place. Hiring temporary help sounds easy enough, but doing it well? That’s an art form.
If you want to deliver exceptional care without stretching your team too thin, it’s time to rethink how you handle seasonal staffing. Let’s dive into the best practices every pet-care business should follow.
Forecast Your Busy Seasons Early
The first step to smooth seasonal staffing? Plan ahead—way ahead.
Ask yourself:
- When does business spike the most? (Summer vacations? Holiday travel?)
- How long does the busy period typically last?
- How much extra staff did you need last year—and was it enough?
Use your booking data (hello, Revelation Pets reports!) to spot patterns. The earlier you can predict staffing needs, the better equipped you’ll be to recruit and train without last-minute scrambles. Once you know when the demand is likely to occur, build a seasonal staffing calendar at the start of every year. Pencil in recruiting timelines, interview periods, training dates, and onboarding deadlines.
Create a “Seasonal Hiring Pool”
Imagine having a list of reliable, trained workers ready to jump in whenever things get busy. It’s not just a dream—you can build it. Stay connected to previous seasonal staff who performed well. Offer early hiring bonuses to returning employees to sweeten the deal.
You can even maintain a simple application form year-round so prospective seasonal workers can express interest anytime. This on-call team saves you from training completely new people from scratch and gives your clients the gift of consistent, quality care.
Write Job Descriptions That Sell the Role
Temporary workers want more than just a paycheck. Your job description should highlight the fun aspects and benefits of the role while being clear about the responsibilities.
Talk about the perks, like spending summer surrounded by pets, and mention any training, certifications, or opportunities for future full-time work. A well-written description attracts candidates who are genuinely excited to join your team.
Streamline the Interview Process
Speed matters when hiring seasonal staff. Good candidates are applying everywhere, so your process should move quickly. Ideally, you should interview and make offers within a week of receiving applications.
Phone screens or video interviews can help you pre-qualify candidates faster. It’s smart to prepare a seasonal-specific checklist of questions, like whether they’re comfortable handling large dogs, cleaning kennels, or managing hyper dogs during busy shifts. Focus on passion, flexibility, and reliability—not just previous kennel experience.
Prioritize Training (Even for Short-Term Staff)
Some businesses make the mistake of rushing seasonal workers through training, but that’s asking for trouble. Proper onboarding protects your guests, your reputation, and your bottom line.
Set up a 'Seasonal Staff Training Bootcamp.' Teach cleaning protocols, safety rules, animal behavior basics, and customer service tips. Pair each new staff member with an experienced mentor during their first few shifts. Test their knowledge to ensure critical policies stick. It’s a time investment that pays off enormously during crunch periods.
Show Staff Appreciation Early and Often
Seasonal workers can sometimes feel like outsiders. You need to make sure they feel valued right from the start.
A few simple gestures go a long way:
- Hand out a welcome kit with branded goodies like a T-shirt or water bottle.
- Publicly acknowledge standout work at team meetings.
- Set up mid-season check-ins to thank them and hear their feedback.
End-of-season bonuses or handwritten thank-you cards also leave a lasting impression. A happy seasonal worker delivers better care—and might even return next year.
Gather Feedback for Next Season
Before your seasonal team heads out, spend time gathering feedback. It’s a goldmine for improving your operations next year.
Ask them what they enjoyed most, what was challenging, and what could be improved. Keeping the questions casual helps you get honest insights. Exit interviews also make your staff feel heard, boosting the chances they’ll recommend your business—or even return.
Seasonal surges are a fact of life in the pet-care industry. But how you handle them? That’s what separates the good kennels from the truly great ones. Get ready, build your dream team, and make your busiest season your best season yet!
You've got the team. Now give them the right tools to succeed. Start a Rev Pets free trial today!
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