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At PetSmart, associates are the heart of what we do and who we are and they deserve to gain as much out of working here as they put in.
While visiting the We Are PetSmart site, you can learn about how we are always improving the Associate Work Experience (AWE), gain a better understanding of what PetSmart stands for, the AWEsome offerings and benefits available to you, and utilize these resources to make your #LifeAtPetSmart even better.
Our associates
Supporting the pack
Our associates are our top priority. Check out some of the ways we’re putting them first.
AWEsome offerings
PetSmart is here for you and your loved ones throughout all stages of life. We offer a wide variety of resources, information and support during your career with us. Check out some of our most utilized benefits and offerings.
Learning new tricks
We are committed to educating our associates with best-in-class experience and training across our salons, hotels and pet training programs. Our associates are industry leaders, and we're proud to continue investing in their development.
Recognizing your efforts
Our associates are committed to providing top dog service to pets and pet parents and they’re there for each other too. We’re proud to recognize the outstanding effort, true commitment and pet-centric passion of our associates. Check out some of the ways we recognize members of our team.
Belonging at PetSmart
Our culture of belonging is core to PetSmart. We know when we embrace and appreciate a wide range of people and perspectives, we create an environment where associates can do their best work, partners enjoy engaging with us and pet parents have an unmatched customer experience.
Our promise to you
We value doing what is right and know we are stronger when United Together.
Here are some ways this promise comes to life:
Health & Well-being
The health and well-being of our associates, pets and pet parents has always been our top priority.
Open-Door Policy
PetSmart's open-door policy encourages associates to share their voice. We actively listen and respond with actions that matter most to you.
United Together
We are committed to building connections and trust across the workforce, ensuring direct and transparent communication.
Our Focus
We focus on attracting, recruiting and developing passionate, diverse and skilled associates who make us better every day.
We are PetSmart
PetSmart is the largest specialty retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. When it comes to pets, we're obsessed. There's nothing we wouldn't do for our pets, because there's nothing they wouldn't do for us. That's what Anything for Pets is all about.
Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.
50,000+
store associates
2,000+
distribution center associates
2,300+
office associates
PetSmart operates approximately 1,670+ pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities.
PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption.
Founded in 1987
Approximately 1,670+ stores in U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico
7 distribution centers in the U.S.
Everything we do is to support the four groups we care for more than anything
the associates who make us who we arethe pet parents who we servethe pets that are in our carethe communities where we serve
Giving back
$
80
+
7000000
PetSmart Associate Assistance Foundation - Over $7 million given to help PetSmart associates experiencing hardship (and counting). The PetSmart Associate Assistance Foundation (PAAF) provides financial assistance and emergency resources to associates during unforeseen hardships. The PAAF is funded by donations from PetSmart, and our associates, to help one another in their time of need.
$
80
M
1.9
donated through our annual giving campaign, Be the Difference
$
80
M+
9.6
worth in value of pet food donations
80
K+
500
in value of associate volunteerism
PetSmart stores collected over 2.3 million units of food through canned food drives for their local food pantries.
PetSmart is dedicated to sustainability and serves as a Champion Member in the Pet Sustainability Coalition and also participates in the Retail Industry Leaders Association's (RILA) sustainability group as part of its commitment to sustainability in the pet space and in retail more broadly.
PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities® of Canada work with over 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home.
80
M+
11
pets have been adopted to their forever homes – and counting!
80
+
2,500
partnerships with shelters and rescues to help connect pets with loving homes
$
80
M+
613
in grants awarded to support adoption, improve access to veterinary care and help families in times of crises
Supporting the pack
Increased wages
Over the last several years, we have made significant investments in our front-line associates. Due to these investments, the average wages have increased by 41% in stores and 43% in distribution centers. We regularly review pay rates and are committed to paying competitive wages.
Education
We offer up to $3,500 per year of tuition reimbursement for eligible associates and encourage all associates to invest in their education. In 2022, we launched a $1M annual scholarship fund for associates of color and their dependents as well as a separate scholarship fund for all associates interested in furthering their education.
Health benefits
We are committed to offering associates competitive and valuable benefit packages for both full-time and part-time associates. Benefits are a big part of total rewards and are reviewed annually to ensure they meet the continually evolving needs of our associates and their families. You will find everything you need to know on our Benefits Website.
Volunteer time
All PetSmart associates, both full- and part-time, receive a minimum of four hours of paid volunteer time each year, as giving back isn't just something we do, it's part of who we are.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Through Ally, our employee assistance program (EAP), we’re here for our associates. We offer a variety of helpful resources to support you and your family 24/7 throughout different stages of your life including tele-mental health, financial guidance, legal assistance, substance use support and more. This is a free resource available to all associates. For more information, click here.
Voice of the Associate Tours
The Voice of the Associate Program is an initiative to ensure we're regularly learning what's working and, more importantly, what's not working in our associates' everyday experience at PetSmart through a variety of tools. The objective is simple - to listen. Voice of the Associate Tours provides the opportunity for associates in a market to provide feedback in person to business leaders, and our always-on listening tool - Purrspective - is a vehicle for associates to provide real-time, candid feedback about their work experience at PetSmart. Additionally, our mobile-first communications app, Central Bark, also gives associates an avenue to share directly with our home office teams and leaders across the organization. A few examples of change that was sparked due to feedback provided directly from associates include:
More than 100+ operational enhancements that reduce friction for associates
Digital tools to improve the health care of pets we carry in our stores
Redesigned foundational onboarding content for all store associates and leaders
Simplified monthly continuing education for store associates
New tools that provide insights into workforce planning and organizational health
AWEsome offerings
For detailed information on all benefits and offerings, visit our benefits website.
Health & wellness
We’re proud to offer a competitive and valuable health insurance menu with multiple carriers, different plan levels, and flexibility to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans that fit your needs. We offer benefits packages to both our full- and part-time associates.
Associate discounts
Enjoy exclusive discounts on PetSmart products and services. Additional role-specific discounts are also available.
PerkSpot
Take advantage of thousands of discounts available to you for free! PerkSpot (Perkopolis in Canada) is a one-stop online shop with exclusive discounts for associates that help you save money, from cell phone plans to groceries, new sunglasses to gym memberships.
Pet insurance
We offer two ways to save on veterinary care for your pet! Associates can take advantage of discounted Optimum Wellness Plans (OWP) through our partner, Banfield, and discounted pet insurance through MetLife.
Time away
Based on your eligibility, associates can take advantage of paid time off (PTO/Vacation), sick time, discretionary days, jury and witness duty, bereavement and holidays.
Growing your family
PetSmart is here for you through pregnancy, fertility and adoption with different resources for support and paid parental leave.
SaveSmart 401(k)
Invest in your future with financial education classes and a 401(k) match. Did you know, for every dollar you contribute, up to 6 percent of your pay, PetSmart deposits 50 cents into your account? That’s free money!
Associate assistance
Since 2011, the PetSmart Associate Assistance Foundation (PAAF) has been turning hardship into hope by providing emergency services and short-term financial relief to PetSmart associates facing financial hardship following an unforeseen crisis.
Learning new tricks
We continuously strive to ensure our associates have the tools, training and resources they need to keep themselves and pets safe, healthy and happy.
Continued education
Our tuition reimbursement program encourages professional development and continued education for associates. We are proud to offer $3,500 of tuition assistance per year for full- and part-time associates. Last year, we saw a 34% increase in associate participation, resulting in over $660,000 in grants. Over 94% of participants are frontline associates.
Salon associate training
We train over 2,500 students annually through our Grooming Academy, the most in our industry. It includes:
Up to 800 hours of in-person training to learn pet safety, breed characteristics and proper grooming techniques
Breed-specific training across all AKC breed groups
Technical evaluations
A minimum of 325 dog baths/grooms required to become a PetSmart groomer
Annual safety certification
Hotel associate training
Includes a minimum of 23.5 hours of education to understand and interpret pet behavior
Curriculum dedicated to proper pet health and welfare practices
Annual safety certification
Pet Trainer associate training
Complete 96 hours of training and hands-on practice to learn dog behavior and training techniques
Training accreditation
Annual safety certification
Pet Care associate training
We're consistently evolving and developing veterinarian-created education for our specialty associates to consistently provide superior standards to all store-owned pets.
Recognizing your efforts
PlayUp
PetSmart's PlayUp program allows leaders and associates to recognize one another for bringing our values to life. The program provides a platform for peer-to-peer recognition. Leaders can award points in addition to recognition cards. The points can be redeemed for gifts ranging from PetSmart swag, gift cards, elctronics, vacation packages and more. Over 2 million recognitions issued by associates since the program launched in 2020.
Leader of the Pack
A quarterly recognition program awarded via a nomination and selection process for any associate who displays inspirational acts, outstanding performance and/or culture representation.
Associate of the Month
A monthly recognition program determined by leadership for associates who model PetSmart values, further the culture, lead by example, inspire and engage pet parents and peers and make authentic connections.
In the 'Everything we do is to support the four groups we care for more than anything' - CSR report
Belonging at PetSmart
For additional detailed information on Diversity & Inclusion at PetSmart, check out our Belonging website.
You belong here.
Our vision of belonging aims to create an environment where every associate feels they truly belong. We place a high value on all the unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives of our associates, customers and communities where we live and work.
In support of our culture of belonging, we've included preferred names, pronouns and other belonging identifiers into name badge add-ons, salon smocks, workplace nameplates, PlayUp cards and more, further aiding in an empowering, safe, and nondiscriminatory workplace.
Associate Resource Groups
ARGs are groups of associates who share a common purpose, interest, or background to develop opportunities for its members. Learn more about each here.
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