Toxic environment with unrealistic expectations and bad management - Pet Care Associate/Dog Groomer PetSmart Employee Review

1.0
2 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The company pushes for more and more from the bottom level employees without better pay. I worked there before the restructuring and; not much can make me cry, but working here sure did, even back then. I can’t imagine how anxiety inducing it must be to work there now. Animal welfare is a complete non-concern. The only thing that’s pushed is sell, sell, sell. It’s borderline dystopian. Bad management seems to be a common issue, not only from my experience, but many others’ as well. I worked until I was an exhausted sweaty mess to make sure everything in pet care or, when I groomed, the salon, was cleaned to perfection as expected of me (and I reiterate: “me,” because these standards were not expected of my co-workers, just me) and overall felt very unseen. The only times I did feel “seen,” was when mistakes were made. Work was treated like boot camp. A co-worker that was subtley targeting/bullying me, and even started rumors accusing me of racist remarks(!!!), was promoted and anything I reported was downplayed because they were friends with the assistant manager. Working here was an overall traumatizing experience.

Cons

Employees are expected to be work-robots

Explore other reviews about PetSmart

5.0
4 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fun, welcoming, easy, flexible, growth

Cons

Weekends, slow, customers, busy, fast pace

1.0
3 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-(It feels like) As long as you are friends with your boss, you can get promoted twice despite being unqualified and a morally corrupt human -(It seems like) You get promoted if you shop for Anthropology dresses and take vape breaks all day -Fresh Zoloft prescription (also a con) -The most horrifying place I've ever worked, so it can only go up from here!!

Cons

-Management appeared to be auditioning for a role in Mean Girls 3 at all times -Positive year-end review one week, performance improvement plan the very next week -Spineless leaders reporting "egregious behavior" and then being unable to give a clear explanation of what that behavior actually was

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