Avoid working there long-term - Associate PetSmart Employee Review

1.0
9 Apr 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Incredibly small discount of 15% sometimes makes a difference. Due to having a high turnover, they try to accommodate peoples schedules.

Cons

Management is extremely lacking. They're very critical, passive aggressive and constantly hounding employees. The pay is nearly nonexistent, especially for the amount of work that's demanded of you. They're very stingy on raises and eventually stop doing them after about two years. Having to compete for days off on a busier time or on a day other employees requested, is tiresome. Something always seems to be wrong with someones performance. Management always follows up with seemingly positive feedback with something negative, as their motto is, "there's always room for improvement." You're worked until exhaustion and then asked to stay later, given random additional tasks all the while being rushed through it. They give "Pet Care Cards" when they deemed you did a "good job." you exchange them for candy. The novelty wears off quickly.

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5.0
4 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fun, welcoming, easy, flexible, growth

Cons

Weekends, slow, customers, busy, fast pace

1.0
2 June 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
4w
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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