Animal Care Specialist

3M HEALTHCARE; Medford (OR); On-site; USD 19,286 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

Petco is seeking a Companion Animal Specialist to be the primary expert for health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC).

You will support sales, merchandising, and inventory, delivering exceptional customer experiences by combining animal‑care knowledge with strong operating discipline.

Qualifications

• Minimum 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 aptitude for selling behaviors.
• Basic business, math, and inventory management skills.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure 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 health checks, wellness documentation, maintenance logs, and incident reports.
• Handle, document, and care for 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 and 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 focus on companion animals and aquatics.
• Order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with sales 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.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Inventory management

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Pet care certification

Job description

About Petco

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you. Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people. Pet First– Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do. Foster the Fun– Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team.

About the role

As a Companion Animal Specialist you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure exceptional animal care and habitat maintenance while supporting sales, merchandising, and inventory execution. In close partnership with the sales team, you help deliver outstanding customer experience by combining deep animal‑care knowledge with strong operational discipline.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure 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 health checks, wellness documentation, maintenance logs, and incident reports.
• Handle, document, and care for 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 and 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 focus on companion animals and aquatics.
• Order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise in partnership with sales 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Animal Care & Maintenance – Verify all animal‑care and maintenance tasks are completed according to established schedules.
• Perform routine housekeeping duties: cleaning habitats and tanks; sweeping and mopping floors; dusting; facing merchandise.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, operational, and safety standards.
• Customer Experience & Sales Support – Process register transactions accurately and efficiently.
• Evaluate customer needs and escalate concerns to the Leader on Duty when appropriate.
• Support Omni‑channel and in‑store initiatives through consistent execution and customer engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 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 aptitude for selling behaviors.
• Basic business, math, and inventory management skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program required.

Essential Functions & Work Environment

The role is performed in a Pet Care Center retail environment and requires active engagement on the sales floor. It involves frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting up to 50lb, customer interaction, cashiering, and proximity to animals. Flexible availability (evenings, weekends, holidays) is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Purpose‑driven work that makes a difference for pets and people.
• Welcoming, inclusive team environment.
• Opportunities to learn, grow, and explore career paths.
• Fun, fast‑paced role with variety.
• Starting Rate: $16.05