Looking for a job

[axlrose]

Well, I've been looking for a job, and since I love animals, what better job is there than to work at a pet store?!
Does anyone know what type of requirements qould I need to be able to work at a petshop, and what I need to know/do to get the job?

[Prickles]

Lots of animal knowledge for sure! You may also need to know how to manage money (cash registers and such). Remember that people make first impresions after 5 seconds of having met you. That's good to know when you go to your interview. If you go with lots of peircings looking punk, then you will most likely not get the job. If you dress normal and look clean and are polite, then there's always a better chance.

[axlrose]

well I have a lip piercing so I should take it out....but if I get the job can I put it back in?

[Prickles]

Depends on what your boss says.

[brandy pup]

Learn the rescue groups for your area and don't work in a place that sells dogs/cats.
http://www.kimtownsend.com/whatisapuppymill.html

[reh2004]

I only knew general knolage of animals when I got hired in. And w/ barely any previous job experence. Just be polite and be informed on the types of animals they sell. The most common coustumer questions are how to diaganoce and treat fish, what temp of certian reptile tanks, and (this ignarent question gets me every time) what size aquarium is good for a rabbit/guinne pig (as neither animal is it far to have w/out cross ventalation). Just some things it will be good to know going in there... Read up on as many animals as possiable.

[Songbird]

Also (just to add my bit in :)), depending on the shop depends on what they require from you. If the shop is a GOOD shop they will only hire staff whom have either a qualification relating to animals, previous experience working with animals and/or private experience owning a variety of animals but show "exceeding knowledge" in those animals - and preferably they'll have a mixture of the three. I'm on the "hiring squad" of my new team (working with pets and aquatics) and was also at my old place of employment and we did not accept any applications which had no prior experience. All of our staff had and have previous experience working with animals and are well clued up on their care, as well as completing animal courses provided by the centre to give them a root qualification (if they haven't already got it). Because working in a place selling animals it is critical that you have a deep knowledge base on the animals, and this is why many shops get a bad reputation for giving bad advice. Animals are living things and the things you say to the owners could ultimately make that animals life complete, or on the dark side cause physical harm to that animal. Now you haven't meant "to do anything wrong" but you must know what you're talking about before giving advice to people and if asked a question you don't know - ask someone else.
This isn't meant to put you off, but to give you an idea of the good standards a good shop will work for for their animals. If you know a lot about animal care then the chances are you will get the job, if you don't feel you know enough either get more experience by volunteering, completing a qualification and just doing your own private research - even a mixture of the three! Holding out and finding a good shop to work for is what you should aim for, don't work at one that you feel isn't looking after their animals correctly, or is giving poor advice - do not support that shop and find a place where you know the animals care comes first and foremost and the advice is of a high standard so you can be proud of where you work and know that you are bettering animals lives with your advice.

[Jennicat]

Also know that if you love animals, it may be hard to work in a pet store. I had almost gotten through the interview process at a local pet store, and they were discussing their kennel information. They flat out told me that I wasn't to make the animals look "too happy" or people wouldn't buy as many of them. I really disagreed with this practice, so I left.

[K9BOB]

it helps to become knowledgable of what a bad/good (irresponsible/unreputable) rescue is and what a bad/good breeder is.... then you will have foundation knowledge that will save you a lot of grief and problems when dealing with the many issues of the animal world..
good luck k9Bob

[Songbird]

Jennicat - the perfect example of a VERY bad shop. I do not get the thinking behind that at all and am grateful that i've never been in a situation where a shop has said that is what they require. I also could not work in a place which sold dogs or cats as i'm completely against it - luckily in the UK it's quite rare to find a shop whom sells them anymore.
Also good idea's there K9Bob - it all comes down to knowing as much as possible basically, both inside your shop and outside in your local area. This has made me think of another thing it's worth knowing - and that is if someone comes into your shop looking for something that you don't sell, redirect them to a rescue centre - particularly in the case of animals which are seen in high rescue incidences. For example, we refuse to sell Iguana's because so many of them end up being dumped each year because the majority of people simply cannot house a 6 foot long lizard comfortably in their house (or think that it will never reach that length). I always direct these people to our local reptile rescue who are well known for their work and also check homes so you know that if these people are after "a fad animal" which happens a lot they will soon be sussed as to if they're seriously interested. I guess it comes back to as K9Bob said, knowing the other places and knowing their reputations.

[Jennicat]

I do understand the thinking behind it, unfortunately. We see it here every few days on Petshub... "I got my hamster/guinea pig/gerbil/rat/puppy from the pet store! It looked sad and was in bad shape and I saved it!" People feeling bad for animals often results in people buying those animals. Ad naseum, usually. :\

[Songbird]

Can honestly say i've never thought of it from that point of view at all - it's a very disgusting and scary way of doing things. I always go by making sure the animals are as happy and healthy as possible so that even people just wondering around the shop can come over and enjoy watching the animals playing with their toys, snoozing or doing whatever they want. The RSPCA would have a field day with stores working from the logic of make them look unhappy!