Animal Care Specialist

About the role

Petco is dedicated to improving lives by providing everything pets need to live their best lives. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood and strive to support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Pet First – Protect & Empower
• Ensure the health, safety, and proper care of all companion animals and aquatic life in accordance with Petco standards, policies, and procedures.
• Complete and verify required animal care tasks, including hourly animal health checks, wellness documentation, maintenance logs, and incident reports.
• Serve as the primary resource for animal care education for customers and PCC partners.
• Adhere to and promote all safety, animal welfare, and loss prevention procedures.
• Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond
• Deliver knowledgeable, compassionate, and solution-focused service to customers.
• Support customer interactions using Petco’s selling model.
• Mentor and educate partners on animal care standards, maintenance routines, and best practices.
• Maintain professional, clean, and well-presented animal habitats and aquatic areas.
• Let’s Go! Own & Commit
• Support the achievement of department sales, margin, and shrink goals.
• Ensure merchandise is stocked, priced, and displayed to Petco standards, with a primary focus on companion animals and aquatics.
• Analyze inventory data and identify opportunities to improve in-stock levels, shrink, and operational efficiency.
• Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts.
• Aid in opening and closing procedures as assigned.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support Pet Care Center operations.

Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with or caring for companion animals and aquatic life.
• Strong knowledge of animal care, husbandry, and maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to educate others and communicate effectively.
• Strong customer service mindset with an aptitude for selling behaviors.
• Basic business, math, and inventory management skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program required.

Qualifications

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.
• Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

• Customer service mindset with an aptitude for selling behaviors.
• Basic business, math, and inventory management skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program.

Benefits

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Petco offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package including:

• Health and financial benefits
• 401(k)
• Incentives
• PTO

To learn more about Petco Total Rewards, please visit this link.

Petco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.