Career Development

What Does a Petsmart Pet Care Associate Do?

Learn more about what it takes to succeed as a petsmart pet care associate, the skills you'll need to become one, and what you can expect on the job.

PetSmart is one of the largest pet supply retailers in the United States. They offer a wide range of products and services including pet food, supplies, grooming, veterinary care, and more.

The PetSmart associate is responsible for providing excellent customer service to all customers who visit their store. This includes helping them find what they’re looking for, answering any questions they may have about products or services, and assisting with returns or exchanges if necessary.

Petsmart Pet Care Associate Job Duties

Petsmart pet care associates have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

  • Cleaning cages, feeding animals, and providing them with medical care as directed by a veterinarian or other animal care professional
  • Providing information to customers about pet care topics such as training, grooming, and animal nutrition
  • Suggesting products and services that will help improve the health and well-being of pets
  • Providing exceptional customer service through friendly and helpful interactions with customers
  • Helping customers select food and supplies for their pets and answering questions about products
  • Participating in community outreach programs such as animal adoption events or environmental conservation projects
  • Providing basic pet first aid in case of emergencies such as bite wounds or allergic reactions
  • Cleaning cages, kennels, and other living areas, as well as feeding and providing water to animals
  • Maintaining knowledge of current pet trends and activities in order to provide customers with relevant information

Petsmart Pet Care Associate Salary & Outlook

Pet care associate salaries vary depending on their level of experience, the company size and geographic location. Some pet care associates may also work part-time or on a freelance basis.

  • Median Annual Salary: $31,500 ($15.14/hour)
  • Top 10% Annual Salary: $41,500 ($19.95/hour)

The employment of pet care associates is expected to grow slower than average over the next decade.

The continued growth in the pet population should lead to increased demand for pet care services. However, the increasing popularity of do-it-yourself pet care, such as pet grooming at home or online, may limit employment growth for pet care associates.

Petsmart Pet Care Associate Job Requirements

Petsmart pet care associates typically need to have the following qualifications:

Education: Most pet care associates are required to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer an associate’s degree in animal science or a related field.

Training & Experience: Petsmart provides on-the-job training for new hires. Training typically includes shadowing an experienced associate and performing duties under supervision until the new hire is comfortable enough to work on their own. Training may also include learning about the products and services the store offers and how to interact with customers.

Petsmart also offers a variety of online training courses for current and future associates. These courses cover topics such as animal safety, pet first aid, pet CPR and more. Petsmart also offers a variety of online courses for pet owners. These courses cover topics such as pet first aid, pet CPR, pet safety and more.

Certifications & Licenses: While most pet care associate jobs do not require certifications, some pet stores may require employees to have one. Check the requirements for a specific job before applying and increasing your chances of being hired.

Petsmart Pet Care Associate Skills

Petsmart pet care associates need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the ability to convey information to others in a clear and understandable way. As a pet care associate, you may be required to communicate with customers about pet care products, answer questions about pet health and behavior and explain pet insurance options. You can also use communication skills to help train new pet care associates and lead pet care seminars.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Pet care associates with empathy can better communicate with customers and provide them with the care they need. For example, if a customer is upset about their pet’s health, a pet care associate with empathy can help them understand the treatment options available and alleviate their concerns.

Teamwork: Working as part of a team is an important skill for pet care associates. You may work with a team of pet care specialists, managers and other associates to ensure your store is operating smoothly. You may also work with a team of pet owners to ensure the pets you care for are happy and healthy.

Flexibility: Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a pet care associate, you may need to change your schedule to accommodate a customer’s needs or fill in for a colleague. Flexibility can also mean being able to work in different departments or perform different tasks.

Organization: As a pet care associate, you may be responsible for stocking shelves, cleaning cages and maintaining pet records. Being organized can help you complete tasks efficiently and keep your work area tidy.

Petsmart Pet Care Associate Work Environment

The work environment for Petsmart pet care associates is generally clean and well lit. The work is not strenuous, but it can be repetitive. The amount of supervision depends on the employer. There is usually a great deal of customer interaction, so associates must be friendly and outgoing.

Petsmart Pet Care Associate Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Petsmart pet care associates work. Petsmart pet care associates will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Pet Insurance

The pet care industry is growing rapidly, and with it the demand for pet insurance. According to a recent study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than half of all U.S. households now have at least one pet, up from just 40% in 1996. This means that there are now millions of pets that need to be insured against accidents and illnesses.

Petsmart is well positioned to take advantage of this trend, as they already offer pet insurance through their partnership with Trupanion. As the pet care industry continues to grow, Petsmart will need to hire professionals who can help customers understand the benefits of pet insurance and help them choose the right plan for their pets.

More Focus on Preventative Care

As pet owners become more educated about the importance of preventative care, they are increasingly turning to specialty retailers like Petsmart for products and services that can help keep their pets healthy.

This trend is likely to continue as more and more people realize the value of early detection and treatment for common diseases and conditions. As a result, Petsmart will need to focus on providing high-quality preventive care products and services that meet the needs of their customers.

A Greater Emphasis on Customer Service

Customers are becoming more demanding when it comes to customer service, and this is having a significant impact on the pet care industry.

As customers become more accustomed to excellent customer service in other industries, they are beginning to expect the same level of attention from pet care professionals. This means that pet care professionals need to be prepared to provide excellent customer service at all times, whether they are dealing with customers directly or working behind the scenes.

How to Become a Petsmart Pet Care Associate

A career as a Pet Care Associate is a great way to get started in the pet industry. It’s a chance to learn about different breeds of dogs and cats, their personalities, and how to care for them. You’ll also learn about the latest products on the market and how to help customers find what they need.

As you progress in your career, you may want to specialize in one area, such as grooming or veterinary medicine. You can also move up the ladder and become a manager or trainer.

Previous

What Does a Target Backroom Employee Do?

Back to Career Development
Next

What Does an Amazon Stowing Do?