PetSmart – “Don't expect to work there long...”

Pros

You get to work with animals... PetSmart is also one of few companies that partner with the humane society and other animal shelters to help find dogs and cats homes vs. selling puppy mill animals.

Cons

There are probably 4 managers on duty during the day and 3 at night... There's no communication between any of them ever. You get told to do the same thing over-and-over again - even if the task has been completed. If you ask for a day off, make sure you tell ALL of the managers you can... as there will be one who forgets and writes you up for not coming into work without notice. Expect to be called in on days you have off and called to not show up for days your scheduled (chances are you'll show up for work and they'll send you home an hour in (of your eight hour shift) after you arrive). Don't expect a steady money flow at all...

The training for the job (especially to work in the pet hotel) is sub-standard. Many of the new hires have never owned a dog and are now expected to be able to break up a fight... One manager allowed a Labrador that had bitten several other dogs ( sometimes needing stitches, an eye patch, and ointments) to come back every day (as this made them money).

 When it comes to the time they don't need you... be expected to be written up for "walking slow" "poor communication" and various other things you did not do (this usually makes the employees quit) - their employee turnover rate is ridiculous. I'm lucky to still be working there... but not happy about it.

Don't expect to work and go to school at the same time either.

Advice to Senior Management

Managers - Start treating your employees with a little respect. If you schedule them for work keep your word. I can't even count the number of times I've canceled plans because of getting called in. Stress levels are always high which the customers can see. Many employees are scared to leave their work stations to help a customer in fear of a manager calling them lazy - thereby making them the next one to be written up and fired. We all realize that the company is out to make a profit, but it's impossible to have over-whelming sales in a bad economy and with upset employees.