What Is Your Opinion On Working At Chain Pet Stores?

I know this is probably going to be a resounding, repeating negative response but I want to see everyones opinions. I have considered working at my local Petsmart for a while now and I'm not sure if I should or not, I don't want to marked and ridiculed as an inexperienced person "supporting the problem".

I am one of what appears to be a decent group of people that believes that there are good stores and there are bad stores. I HATE my local Petco, and that has a lot to do with their fish care, specifically their saltwater, its pathetic. But my local Petsmart is a decent store with knowledgeable employees and decently cared for animals. Every time I'm there the employees always talk to me about what kind of tank I have, making sure it is big enough and not overstocked, and the one time I actually bought fish (my pictus cats) they had the knowledge not to use a net as they might get caught up and tangled.

However I have heard of amazing Petcos and awful PetSmarts. Yes, the tanks are (actually very lightly) overstocked, and sometimes the reptile care isn't absolutely optimal but you have to understand that sometimes the animals they get in from mass breeders aren't in the best shape when they arrive.

So all of this in mind, what are all of your opinions? Is it an awful thing to do? Would I be a good asset with having a lot of solid knowledge in the hobby or would I be utterly overlooked? Is a knowledgeable person working at a chain pet store really helping the problem? Or could I save a few bettas from unfiltered half gallon coffins?

 

I think it would be okay to work there, as long as the animals are taken care of properly for the majority. You wouldn't be part of the problem you would be fixing it from the inside, like a double agent. Even if you shared your knowledge with potential customers you would probably overlooked, by the customers. One time I was at a Petsmart and this lady was planning on buying a Red Eared Slider Turtle. The guy asked her how big the tank was. She gestured with her hands to about a 10G tank. The guy said that was not big enough and that she needed a heat lamp and a bigger tank. She said that she was going to get those, just not today. He repeatedly told her she shouldn't buy the Turtle. Ignoring him she said "it's okay, I'll still take it". He was cussing under his breath as he got the forms. So I think that you are obligated to make the sale no matter the tank size and requirements of the species. Just something to think about.

 

The petsmart I will be working at when I turn 18. They asked to let them now when I turn 18 so the paperwork can be filled out( legal ). Is a great pet store . Just depends on the pet store . They are kinda of a hit or miss . And just be educated on what you talk about or get someone to come that is educated on it so their isn't any of that " inexperienced , unknowledgable petsore employee" comments

 

I actually plan on working at my local Petco when I am of legal age.
The way I see it, if these places can get someone that knows stuff about animals, there should be some benefit that comes out of it.
Just research the stock in the store so you know all about what you're dealing with, and I'm sure you'll do great.

 

I think it would be okay to work there, as long as the animals are taken care of properly for the majority. You wouldn't be part of the problem you would be fixing it from the inside, like a double agent. Even if you shared your knowledge with potential customers you would probably overlooked, by the customers. One time I was at a Petsmart and this lady was planning on buying a Red Eared Slider Turtle. The guy asked her how big the tank was. She gestured with her hands to about a 10G tank. The guy said that was not big enough and that she needed a heat lamp and a bigger tank. She said that she was going to get those, just not today. He repeatedly told her she shouldn't buy the Turtle. Ignoring him she said "it's okay, I'll still take it". He was cussing under his breath as he got the forms. So I think that you are obligated to make the sale no matter the tank size and requirements of the species. Just something to think about.

Yes, from what I understand you cannot deny someone a sale, obviously chain petstores do make a lot of money from impulse buys and some impulse buyers just can't afford the supplies needed for what they want. But what I meant is you know, maybe instead of just letting someone get away thinking they would have a happy healthy betta in a small tank I could atleast highly suggest a bigger tank and other stuff like this for similar situations. There will always be those people who don't care but there's really nothing you can do there..

I actually plan on working at my local Petco when I am of legal age.
The way I see it, if these places can get someone that knows stuff about animals, there should be some benefit that comes out of it.
Just research the stock in the store so you know all about what you're dealing with, and I'm sure you'll do great.

I know a fair share about a lot of the extremely common fish in the hobby, and I'm curious enough to research anything new before making recommendations! You're thinking kinda like me, like I might not be able to save them all, but if could just give a couple fish a week a happier home and avoid a customer leaving the store with a complete lack of knowledge then I will have done my part.

The petsmart I will be working at when I turn 18. They asked to let them now when I turn 18 so the paperwork can be filled out( legal ). Is a great pet store . Just depends on the pet store . They are kinda of a hit or miss . And just be educated on what you talk about or get someone to come that is educated on it so their isn't any of that " inexperienced , unknowledgable petsore employee" comments

I think one of my strong points is I'm a pretty well balanced pet owner, I've got 3 dogs, a cat, two fish tanks and a crested gecko, not to mention the "Small animals" that my family has had in the past! So not only will I be able to share my knowledge ing the fish section but pretty much al over the store

 

I'd think it might be a bit frustrating/depressing to have to deal with the week to week grind of working in a fish store. Not only will you have the customers that don't care about the advice your giving them but you'll also be dealing with lots of dead and dying fish on delivery day as well as just the day to day losses. Plus there will be policies and whatnot that you just won't be able to change even if it would be better off for the fish and you know it.

Just my two cents and something to consider.

 

Obvi

I'd think it might be a bit frustrating/depressing to have to deal with the week to week grind of working in a fish store. Not only will you have the customers that don't care about the advice your giving them but you'll also be dealing with lots of dead and dying fish on delivery day as well as just the day to day losses. Plus there will be policies and whatnot that you just won't be able to change even if it would be better off for the fish and you know it.

Just my two cents and something to consider.

I understand this..one of the reasons I very quickly ditched the idea of being a veterinarian as a child.
Obviously the chances of job availability would be a lot smaller but I have two LFS's that are in my general area, not as close as the Petsmart, but I have considered asking if they might be looking to hire when I go in one of these days. What would your opinion be on a smaller non-chain store if the option may arise?

 

Obviously it depends on the store and how they run things how much different it would be.

That being said I'd say you'd have a much better chance of learning from someone who actually knows what their talking about and not just reading from a corporate manual or fact sheet. Of course they may also be less likely to hire a less experienced employee as well.

One near me won't even interview someone unless they have at least a decade of experience in the industry.

 

Obviously it depends on the store and how they run things how much different it would be.

That being said I'd say you'd have a much better chance of learning from someone who actually knows what their talking about and not just reading from a corporate manual or fact sheet. Of course they may also be less likely to hire a less experienced employee as well.

One near me won't even interview someone unless they have at least a decade of experience in the industry.

Jeez! I guess it is for the better though with how much more fish stores are trusted and how much more their reputation matters in the community!

 

Those guys definitely know what their talking about when you have a question for them.

 

I know a fair share about a lot of the extremely common fish in the hobby, and I'm curious enough to research anything new before making recommendations! You're thinking kinda like me, like I might not be able to save them all, but if could just give a couple fish a week a happier home and avoid a customer leaving the store with a complete lack of knowledge then I will have done my part.

Yep. There will be some people that won't listen, but they wouldn't have listened to anyone else anyway. Just do the best you can. Some people will be willing to learn.

 

I don't think working for a pet store is bad. Customers and their purchasing power are really what allow mistreatment to continue, not employees pulling wages. I think having capable, knowledgeable employees is a good thing for the fish. Like stated in other comments, you can improve things from the inside. Whether you work there or not, the stores will stock the fish, so you might as well give out good information and provide proper care.

I have a local Petsmart that has a very knowledgeable employee in charge of the fish. She keeps the tanks cleans, treats the stock respectfully, and give good advice to newbies. I really appreciate her! Then again, I'm sure she's also has to make sales against her personal judgment like the turtle guy. So it can't be a perfect job.

 

I think it's great. Excellent experience.