Pet shop assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly
• a course run by a specialist training provider

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a qualification to help you become a pet shop assitant and show employers that you're committed to learning more about working with animals.

Relevant courses include:

• animal care
• pet care in retail
• pet store management

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You might be able to do an Animal Care and Welfare Manager Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, if you already have some retail experience.

These apprenticeships can take up to 1 year and 6 months to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to get experience of working with animals and could lead to paid work. You could look for opportunities with organisations like:

• RSPCA
• Dogs Trust
• Cats Protection

DirectApplication

You may not need any formal qualifications to apply to work in a pet shop. It will help if you've got experience of working with animals, or have a background in retail customer service.

OtherRoutes

You may be able to study with a specialist animal welfare college or the Pet Industry Federation for a qualification in animal care.

Course are offered online, in the workplace and at college.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• persuading and negotiating skills
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• maths knowledge
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• business management skills
• concentration skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software

What you'll do:

Pet shop assistants serve customers and look after animals in pet shops.

As a pet shop assistant, you'll:

• feed and water animals and clean out cages
• groom and exercise animals
• advise customers on products and pet care
• maintain stock levels and deal with deliveries
• check water temperatures and chemical balance in fish tanks

Location : You could work at a store.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £24,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

24 - 37 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a pet store supervisor or manager.

You could also move into:

• dog grooming
• animal care work in kennels or a rescue centre
• veterinary nursing