Not what you think it's going to be. RUN. - General Manager Petco Employee Review

1.0
Oct 11, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The customers that truly care about their pets made it tolerable. The knowledge gained about pet nutrition changed my thinking and was very beneficial. Benefits were fair to good compared to other corporate retailers. Pay WOULD be decent...but in order to truly do a great job, you'd have to LIVE in the store, driving your average hourly wage WAY down. Not worth it.

Cons

One word: PAYROLL. 270 hours to run a store that has live animals? Honestly, if this were done correctly (and they indeed put animals first), you could spend an easy 160 hours a week for just saltwater and freshwater fish ALONE. Nevermind that you're expected to stop everything for anywhere from 1 to 5 hours every day for "showtime" and just wait on customers. (no extra payroll was given for this) Without going on and on, unless you have no family or life outside your job and you're completely okay with the amount of sickness and death that just "comes with the job" (again, almost all payroll related)- then do NOT work for this company.

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.

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