Real Mixed Bag - Aquatics Specialist Petco Employee Review

2.0
Dec 13, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Mostly pleasant work environment, opportunity to learn a lot about animals.

Cons

Reading other reviews on here, there is a common theme I can definitely relate to- Petco does not provide enough payroll to effectively run it's operations. It is both a one-stop pet supply store and a pet store with hundreds of animals to take care of. The store I work at generally has between 3-5 employees working at a time, including managers. Everyone is passionate about taking good care of our animals but we simply don't have the time to do it. It's not like if a customer asks us to help them learn how to set up an aquarium, we can say "No, I can't do that because these Bettas need water changes." The pressure that is put on the management from corporate is all related to sales and customer perception, and gives little consideration to actual animal care. The emotional toll from knowing that you could have saved an animal's life if you were actually given the time to do so, can be overwhelming, especially when it comes up again and again.

Explore other reviews about Petco

5.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good environment, good management and able to learn and improve

Cons

none so far that ive been working here

2.0
Jul 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

friendly store managers usually good discounts nostalgic

Cons

Forced to stay short staffed. Couldn't take proper breaks most days as a closing lead unless it was during the first few hours of shift. At the time the regional manager seemed more worried about the aesthetics of the back animal rooms floor that only employees saw when we had ac issues, issues getting access to an exotic vet, and only had enough hours to have two employees working at a time most shift on most days. I only had a couple interactions but that was one of them. Could not call off sick without leaving the store scrambling to find someone to stay open. Also sold improper habitats.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All