Pet shop assistant

Pet shop assistants look after and sell pets such as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, mice, fish and, sometimes, puppies and kittens. They also sell things like food, bedding and cages. The work involves feeding the animals and cleaning out tanks and cages. Assistants also advise customers on how to feed and look after their pets.

Work activities

Pet shop assistants look after the animals in pet shops. They serve customers and have other retail duties, including handling cash and credit/debit card payments. Most pet shops sell small animals such as mice, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs, and also fish and caged birds. Some also sell puppies and kittens. Assistants feed and water the animals. They are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting tanks and cages. Assistants must also check the animals’ general health and wellbeing and report any problems to the manager. They sometimes take sick animals to a vet. Assistants serve customers. Apart from the animals, they also sell pet food and accessories such as cages, hutches, bedding, feeding bowls, tablets and sprays. They give customers advice on the most suitable animal to buy to meet their needs, and how best to look after their pets. For example, they answer questions about problems such as fleas and worming. Other tasks include receiving and unpacking stock, putting stock on the shelves, and weighing up and bagging animal feed. Assistants must also keep the shop clean and tidy.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a pet shop assistant, you’ll need:

• Basic knowledge of animal care.
• Willingness to do some unpleasant tasks such as clearing away droppings and cleaning cages.
• Communication skills for serving customers and giving them advice.
• Number skills for handling cash.
• Physical fitness, including for lifting and unloading deliveries.

Pay and opportunities 

The pay rates given are approximate. Pet shop assistants earn in the range of £14,500 a year, rising to £17,500 a year with experience.

They usually work a basic 39 to 41-hour week. However, they may need to work weekends and bank holidays. There are opportunities to work part-time.

Most employers are regional and national chains, often located in out-of-town retail parks, however there are smaller, local pet shops. Opportunities for pet shop assistants occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on the Government’s Find a Job service, and on job boards.

Entry routes and training

The usual way to become a pet shop assistant is to apply for jobs with pet shops and then train on-the-job. Some people complete a relevant college course before looking for work. A level 2 (intermediate) animal care and welfare assistant apprenticeship would be a good way into this profession.

Promotion could be to a supervisor or manager role.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an intermediate apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed relevant skills and knowledge through retail or customer service work experience. Others have experience of handling animals.

Colleges will usually consider applications from adults who don’t meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Related careers

• Animal technologist
• Dog groomer
• Horse groom
• Kennel worker
• Sales assistant
• Veterinary nurse
• Zookeeper