Companion Animal Care Specialist

Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc.; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 18,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. seeks a Companion Animal Specialist for its Pet Care Center to ensure animal health, welfare, and high-quality customer support. You will combine animal-care knowledge with sales responsibilities to deliver an exceptional in‑store experience.

You’ll partner with the sales team to maintain habitats, educate customers, and uphold safety standards while supporting inventory and merchandising aligned with Petco guidelines.

Qualifications

• 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.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Completion and ongoing maintenance of the Petco Animal Care Certification Program required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, safety, and proper care of all companion animals and aquatic life in accordance with Petco standards.
• 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 focus on companion animals and aquatics.
• Efficiently order live animals, supplies, and related merchandise with sales team.
• 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

Education & teaching

Inventory management

Organization

Communication

Education

HS diploma or GED preferred

Pet Care Certification Program required

Job description

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. seeks a Companion Animal Specialist for its Pet Care Center to ensure animal health, welfare, and high-quality customer support. You will combine animal-care knowledge with sales responsibilities to deliver an exceptional in‑store experience.

You’ll partner with the sales team to maintain habitats, educate customers, and uphold safety standards while supporting inventory and merchandising aligned with Petco guidelines.