Would not recommend - Associate PetSmart Employee Review

2.0
7 Oct 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Most co-workers are friendly - Working with animals

Cons

I was hired as a pet bather and was given a timeline that stayed consistent of when I would start in the salon; which was after a month of learning and working the floor. This timeline is reasonable, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. What was unreasonable was the fact that I worked there for four months and I was still primarily working the cash register. I asked a total of three times: the first time, a manager told me “whenever you’re ready,” and the second time I asked I was given a vague list of reasons as to why now wasn’t a “good time” and was told three more weeks (they haven’t even ordered my uniform at this point, nor had they started online training). The last time I asked, the manager I had asked responded with; “you want an update? I’ll give you an update! We’re cutting bather hours, so there’s no more room for you in the salon.” He then proceeded to take advantage of a customer asking for help to cut me off and walk away despite another manager standing directly next to him. I quit later that day. I had been nothing but patient and understanding. I was never rude, never pressured anybody for an answer. They obviously had no intention of allowing me to work the job I was hired for, as when I was doing my online training for first time associates, I was also given a bathers video to complete and a manager told me not to worry about it and skip it. This should’ve been a red flag. I had to drive a total of about 80 minutes per day, worked only part time hours, and $17 an hour— none of that was worth it. Might not be worth it for you either. If management was more open about it and I didn’t have to find the answers out on my own, then maybe I would be more understanding. It’s the fact they blatantly lied to me and refused to keep me updated that, in my opinion, makes them unprofessional and not a good work environment.

Explore other reviews about PetSmart

5.0
3 Jul 2026
Recommend
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Business outlook

Pros

good pay benefits PTO always approved

Cons

sometimes pet health and care is overlooked

1.0
2 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The company pushes for more and more from the bottom level employees without better pay. I worked there before the restructuring and; not much can make me cry, but working here sure did, even back then. I can’t imagine how anxiety inducing it must be to work there now. Animal welfare is a complete non-concern. The only thing that’s pushed is sell, sell, sell. It’s borderline dystopian. Bad management seems to be a common issue, not only from my experience, but many others’ as well. I worked until I was an exhausted sweaty mess to make sure everything in pet care or, when I groomed, the salon, was cleaned to perfection as expected of me (and I reiterate: “me,” because these standards were not expected of my co-workers, just me) and overall felt very unseen. The only times I did feel “seen,” was when mistakes were made. Work was treated like boot camp. A co-worker that was subtley targeting/bullying me, and even started rumors accusing me of racist remarks(!!!), was promoted and anything I reported was downplayed because they were friends with the assistant manager. Working here was an overall traumatizing experience.

Cons

Employees are expected to be work-robots

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PetSmart Response
3w
We’re disappointed to hear that your experience didn’t reflect what we aim to create for our associates, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. We invite you to contact the CareSmart line at 1-800-738-4693 so we can learn more and see how we can support you. Thank you.
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