Petsmart Employment

[Syn]

There is a Petsmart within bike riding distance of my house.
At this time, I do not have a permit (my choice) because I do not feel I need a car or all of the cost of driving one.

I am turning 17 in less than two months. Petsmart does not hire anyone younger than 17 due to working with birds and reptiles.

I am considering applying to Petsmart, but there is always that idea that you just can't help all of the animals.
I don't know much about the cats for adoption, the birds.. but the reptiles are what is going to kill me the most.

What are your thoughts on Petsmart Employees?
Are any of the members of the forum past or present employees at Petsmart or similar franchise stores?

I would really like to change some aspects of my local Petsmart, and the employee discount would be a huge benefit.

Any thoughts/ideas/concerns/comments?

 

[morpheon]

I really don't know Syn, but i wish you good luck! Maybe you could talk to a few of their actual employees. *shrug*

Anyway, please keep us updated!

 

[Syn]

I really don't know Syn, but i wish you good luck! Maybe you could talk to a few of their actual employees. *shrug*

Anyway, please keep us updated!

Thank you, and I will certainly keep you updated. I do go in every now and then and a few of them I know by face (I'm terrible with names), so I'll talk to them about it.

 

[james L]

A jobs a job these days and at least you will be working with critters. Better then making big macs or something. I say go for the gold. Become a P-Smart Employee.

 

[Olimpia]

I actually applied several times to work there. So far, no one is hiring (I think I have waaay too much experience for them) but I'm willing to work there. All you have to do is work your way to the reptile section and make small but significant changes to how they're kept. The best part would be educating the public well.

I say go for it! I'm going to apply again in my new city, but leave out a lot of my resume.

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

I agree with Olimpia. Go for it and im sure you cna help a ton of others

 

[Goggles]

My girlfriend worked for them in Toronto.
The only problem she had was with the people who drop off kittens and puppys at the front door late at night in boxes.( She wanted to bring them all home )
If you do work there, at least we know one big box pet store will be giving their herps the proper care.

 

[Syn]

A jobs a job these days and at least you will be working with critters. Better then making big macs or something. I say go for the gold. Become a P-Smart Employee.

I suppose that's true. I don't even know if they are hiring yet, I was just putting this all into consideration.

I actually applied several times to work there. So far, no one is hiring (I think I have waaay too much experience for them) but I'm willing to work there. All you have to do is work your way to the reptile section and make small but significant changes to how they're kept. The best part would be educating the public well.

I say go for it! I'm going to apply again in my new city, but leave out a lot of my resume.

LOL! That is too funny. I don't have any work experience with animals (save pet sitting or helping out at shows, does that qualify as work experience?)

I agree with Olimpia. Go for it and im sure you cna help a ton of others

Thanks.

My girlfriend worked for them in Toronto.
The only problem she had was with the people who drop off kittens and puppys at the front door late at night in boxes.( She wanted to bring them all home )
If you do work there, at least we know one big box pet store will be giving their herps the proper care.

Eh we can't have dogs or cats without putting down a security deposit for each of them (I can get away with no deposit for reptiles).

 

[Olimpia]

I think you'll be fine with that! lol But I guess a college student with 7 years volunteer experience at animal hospitals, clinics, rescues, and sanctuaries way waaay more experience than you'd want for someone stocking dog food God forbid she shows what she's doing!

 

[morpheon]

I think that if you can get a few people you helped at some various expos to support you and act as a reference, you should be fine!

 

[Syn]

I think you'll be fine with that! lol But I guess a college student with 7 years volunteer experience at animal hospitals, clinics, rescues, and sanctuaries way waaay more experience than you'd want for someone stocking dog food God forbid she shows what she's doing!

Haha! That is too funny - been working with my mom every summer since I was.. 5 or so with community service. So I have around 10 years of community service - unfortunately not all of it was documented.

I think that if you can get a few people you helped at some various expos to support you and act as a reference, you should be fine!

We shall see. Hopefully something good happens.

 

[FroggtheCham]

Well, check it out and see what's up. What's the worst that could happen??? If you decide you don't like it, or it's not for you, you can always find another job. But, you won't know if you don't try it. On the flip side, you may absolutely love it. I say go for it and see.

 

[jpm995]

i think it's a good idea. You may get frustrated if they don't allow you to take care of the animals the way you know is best, but it's worth the chance and it's good for your resume if you stay in the pet business. Think of the discounts, you can buy more stuff!

 

[Syn]

Well, check it out and see what's up. What's the worst that could happen??? If you decide you don't like it, or it's not for you, you can always find another job. But, you won't know if you don't try it. On the flip side, you may absolutely love it. I say go for it and see.

Thanks Franie, I'll probably give it a try. Got another month and a week to think about it though.

i think it's a good idea. You may get frustrated if they don't allow you to take care of the animals the way you know is best, but it's worth the chance and it's good for your resume if you stay in the pet business. Think of the discounts, you can buy more stuff!

The discounts would equate to about what the online cost is, wouldn't it?

 

[Vegas Chad]

So long as you give out the correct information and are a responsible employee then it matters not working at Petsmart. Show up for a paycheck and give out BS info then you contribute to the problem. You will do fine.

 

[Syn]

So long as you give out the correct information and are a responsible employee then it matters not working at Petsmart. Show up for a paycheck and give out BS info then you contribute to the problem. You will do fine.

Thanks Chad, so straightforward.

 

[Vegas Chad]

I call em like I see em. Your a good kid and will tell people what they need to know. Last week I had to stop some Joe from selling a lady a hot rock so her sons chameleon would be warm... Thats the kind o stuff that really ticks me off.

 

[Syn]

Oh wow, really? That's sad. I know I'd never suggest them but I'm just not sure how to go about telling people not to get them without getting in trouble for telling people not to buy products etc.

 

[pssh]

Dont let people put small animals in those teeny tiny little pet store cages! Any sized pet store cage (that is made for the specific animal) is too small for most animals. Rats need ferret enclosures, large hamsters need at least three of those little hamster cages connected, small mice need rat cages, guinea pigs and bunnies cant even go in cages that are sold in pet stores. Guinea pigs require daily high vit C veggies or they get scurvy, and bunnies and guinea pigs both need unlimited amounts of hay. Cockatiels need cages that are at least 20x20x20 inches (for one, 20dx30lx20+t for two) and square (not round, their beaks can get caught,) parakeets need cages about the same size, but two can fit in one for a cockatiel. they should be eating pellet foods with minimal seeds as treats. I'm sure you know about most of the reptiles (and if you dont do a little research!) Tropical fish generally require one gallon of water per inch of fish and adult size (not including tail) needs to be acounted for, as does the space that gravel, plants, and other decorations take up. Goldfish need at least 20 gallons for the first fish and an extra ten for every fish after (this suites fancy goldfish better, comets generally need 50 gallons for the first fish and 20 for every extra fish) and the filter for goldfish needs to be twice as strong as the actuall gallons of water the tank holds (so a 29 gallon tank needs a filter that is rated for a 60 gallon tank.)

Just in case you get the job anyways. Just minimal stuff about most of the other animals they sell, but those mistakes are usually the biggest/most costly for the animals health.

 

[Syn]

Kara,

I know you mean well but that is a hefty list. I have zero job experience with this sort of thing, and because of that I doubt I will be able to change much in the store itself until I have worked there a while.
Most stores have predetermined setups, too. If I do get the job I will do what I can, though.