Groomer

About Petco

Petco has served pets and their families for over six decades, providing everything needed for pets to thrive—from food and toys to expert care. We are a team of over 29,000 members servicing across more than 1,500 stores in the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, including Vetco Total Care hospitals and preventive care clinics. Through fundraising and adoption initiatives, we've helped find homes for nearly 7 million animals and support animal welfare nationwide.

Role Overview

As a Pet Stylist at Petco, your duties involve delivering professional grooming services such as bathing, cutting, styling, trimming nails, cleaning ears, and gland care. You will prioritize each pet's comfort and safety while satisfying clients with exceptional grooming tailored to individual needs and breed standards. This role offers growth opportunities including leadership positions in grooming.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform grooming tasks professionally and safely, including bathing, drying, brushing, haircuts, nail trims, ear cleanings, and gland expression following client instructions and company protocols.
• Operate and maintain grooming tools like clippers, scissors, blades, brushes, and dryers in good condition.
• Evaluate each pet’s unique coat, skin condition, and temperament to adapt grooming appropriately.
• Ensure animal wellbeing by monitoring for distress or health concerns and promptly reporting any issues to owners and management.
• Communicate effectively with pet parents to answer questions, provide grooming advice, and resolve concerns professionally.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of grooming areas and tools as per hygiene standards.
• Adhere to company grooming policies ensuring consistent quality and safety in all grooming services.
• Assist with training and supervising new or less experienced team members when needed.

Qualifications and Skills

• Completion of Petco’s Pet Stylist Apprentice program, prior grooming experience, or recognized grooming training.
• High school diploma or GED is preferred but not mandatory.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to independently handle routine to moderately complex grooming challenges.
• Detail-oriented approach ensuring precision and quality in grooming.
• Passion and dedication to animal care and grooming as a long-term career.
• Knowledgeable about different dog breeds, grooming styles, health concerns, and behavior patterns.
• Proficient in breed-specific grooming cuts and styling techniques.
• Good verbal and written communication to interact with customers and colleagues smoothly.
• Capable and compassionate in handling animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as scheduled.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This role is primarily indoors within a grooming salon. Physical demands include bending, kneeling, standing for prolonged periods, lifting up to 30 pounds, and potentially using step ladders and cleaning tools. The working environment can be noisy and involve wet conditions. Interaction with pets and clients is constant throughout the day.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401k savings plan and additional financial benefits
• Paid time off for rest and personal needs
• Exclusive Petco employee discounts
• All grooming supplies and state-of-the-art equipment supplied including brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, shampoo, dryers, and bathing systems
• Pathways for professional development such as roles in grooming leadership, mentoring, and instruction

Cultural Values

• Pet First – Protect & Empower: Focused on improving lives by putting pets and pet owners at the center.
• Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond: Building community and sharing passion for pet parenthood.
• Let’s Go! Own & Commit: Encouraging authenticity and teamwork to drive success.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Petco values diversity and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status.