Animal Care Specialist

* Ensure the health, safety, and proper care of all companion animals and aquatic life in accordance with Petco standards, policies, and procedures.
* Complete and verify required animal care tasks, including hourly animal health checks, wellness documentation, maintenance logs, and incident reports.
* Ensure proper handling, documentation, and care of relinquished and adoption animals.
* Serve as the primary resource for animal care education for customers and PCC partners.
* Adhere to and promote all safety, animal welfare, and loss prevention procedures.
* Deliver knowledgeable, compassionate, and solution-focused service to customers.
* Actively support customer interactions using Petco's selling model.
* Promote a culture of teamwork, inclusion, and collaboration across the PCC.
* Mentor and educate partners on animal care standards, maintenance routines, and best practices.
* Maintain professional, clean, and well-presented animal habitats and aquatic areas.
* Support the achievement of department sales, margin, and shrink goals.
* Ensure merchandise is stocked, priced, and displayed to Petco standards, with a primary focus on companion animals and aquatics.
* Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with the sales team to support inventory integrity and business goals.
* Analyze inventory data and identify opportunities to improve in-stock levels, shrink, and operational efficiency.
* Participate in animal and aquatic-related physical inventory counts.
* Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned.
* Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support Pet Care Center operations.
* Verify all animal care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.
* Perform routine housekeeping duties, including cleaning habitats and tanks, sweeping and mopping floors, dusting, and facing merchandise.
* Ensure compliance with all regulatory, operational, and safety standards.
* Animals are healthy, safe, and cared for to Petco's highest standards.
* Customers trust the team's expertise and return for guidance and solutions.
* Animal habitats and aquatic areas are clean, compliant, and visually appealing.
* Inventory and merchandising support sales while minimizing shrink.
* Partners feel supported and informed through shared animal-care knowledge.
* Minimum of 1 year of experience working with or caring for companion animals and aquatic life.
* Strong knowledge of animal care, husbandry, and maintenance practices.
* Demonstrated ability to educate others and communicate effectively.
* Strong customer service mindset with an aptitude for selling behaviors.
* Basic business, math, and inventory management skills.
* Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
* The role requires frequent standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.
* Ability to safely lift and move merchandise, supplies, or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
* Regular engagement with customers on the sales floor, including providing customer assistance and performing cashiering and point-of-sale transactions.
* Must be able to work in proximity to animals, including exposure to animal dander, odors, noises, and cleaning chemicals.
* Flexible availability to support Pet Care Center operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
* Purpose-driven work that makes a difference for pets and people.
* A welcoming, inclusive team environment.
* Opportunities to learn, grow, and explore career paths.
* A fun, fast-paced role where no two days are the same.