PetSmart does Anything for Pets – JOIN OUR TEAM!

Pets Hotel Lead

About Life at PetSmart

Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together, we're building the best team in retail through our values-based culture, connection, and teamwork. Our goal is to create a culture where associates learn and grow together, thrive as effective teams, and challenge each other to be the best they can be. This posting reflects an existing vacancy, and we are actively seeking candidates for this role.

Benefits that benefit you

Paid Weekly
Health & Wellness Benefits
401k Plan with company match
Paid Time off for full-time associates
Associate discounts
Tuition Assistance
Career pathing
Development opportunities

Job Summary

PetSmart's PetsHotel Experience Lead provides exceptional service to pet parents and the pets in our care while upholding the company’s vision, mission, values, and strategy. This role provides a welcoming and safe environment to pets, ensuring proper healthcare and facility cleanliness. Alongside the PetsHotel Experience Leader, they are responsible for maintenance and oversight of the PetsHotel, opening and/or closing the store, overseeing associates, and maintaining a safe and organized environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may vary depending on store characteristics and needs:

People Leadership:

Facilitates the associate experience and supports associate development. This includes but is not limited to training, onboarding, mentoring, and coaching for growth. as well as providing feedback into associate performance reviews, disciplinary action and promotions.
Delegate and validate completion of daily tasks.
Leads and directs associates when acting as the leader on duty.
Address and administer associate complaints and grievances.
Recognizes and celebrates associates driving overall associate engagement.

Hotel Operations and Overall Store Experience:

Responsible for the pet parent experience and outcomes conducted over the telephone, in person or online, and responding to pet parent concerns.
Responsible for pet healthcare and facility cleanliness within the hotel (medication, feeding, watering, etc.)
Responsible for administering pet parent or vet provided medication for pets.
Ensures that all pets within the hotel are taken to and from the Vet and responsible for reporting when a sick/injured pet is identified within the store.
Accurately completes and performs check-in and check-out process for all guests and obtains the appropriate health and medical information for guests (ensures paperwork is completed accurately).
Ensures reservations for pet boarding and doggie day camp are within established policies and procedures, declining reservations when necessary.
Responsible for the monthly hotel safety reporting/standards.
Shared responsibility to complete the daily morning safety observation walk.
Shared responsibility for store opening and closing procedures to ensure brand promise is upheld.
Maintains total store cleanliness standards.
Coordinates hotel events and other promotional strategies.
Sells merchandise and services
Maintains store standards and leads a culture of empowerment by ensuring compliance with our policies and procedures (P&Ps) and code of ethics.
Ensures a safe environment for our associates, pets, and pet parents.
Responsible for safety incident support and follow up.
Ensures routine maintenance is performed on all equipment in the PetsHotel. This includes identifying potential system issues and partnering with facilities to resolve issues.
Assists and works in other departments as required. Other duties may be assigned.
Follows all Company Policies and Procedures

Qualifications

2+ years of retail supervisory experience in a customer-focused environment.
Leadership experience preferred.
Full-time availability required, flexibility in schedule, able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Proficiency in computer applications.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to react under pressure and maintain composure.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Supervisory responsibility

No direct reports, however, are expected to guide and support the development of other associates.
Provides feedback on associate performance to direct supervisor.
Acts as the Leader when other Leaders are not in the store. This includes supervising associates, assigning tasks and addressing any concerns.

Essential physical demands and work environment

Associate required to stand, walk, climb a ladder, and use hands to handle, feel, hold, write, etc. The associate frequently is required to reach with hands and arms: stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally team lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception.
While performing this job, the associate is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and a wet environment with an abundance of pet hair. The noise level is moderate in the work environment; however, associates may be exposed to high levels of noise at times. Exposure to live animals and their handling is common.

Do what you love

Join us for a chance to make a meaningful impact every day. Whether it's helping a customer choose their first fish, celebrating a pet's birthday, or seeing the smile on a pet parent’s face after a fresh groom—you'll create moments that matter. At PetSmart, we cherish diversity and the unique perspectives of our 50,000 associates, all united by a passion for pets.

We’re delighted you’re interested in joining our pack and helping us in our commitment to doing Anything for Pets, and the people who love them. We're excited to hear your story and learn more about you! Apply Now!

PetSmart is an Equal Opportunity Employer

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We offer reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our application process, upon request and as required by law.

This job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associates/leaders assigned to this job perform. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. You will be provided with a copy of a job description for the actual position you are hired into. Exact rate of pay will be based on relevant experience level, training, skills or knowledge and store location. This position is paid on a per hour basis. In no instance will PetSmart pay less than the local minimum wage. This position is also eligible for benefits as described at https://benefits.petsmart.com/us/

Applicants must be over the age of 18 (except in Montana or where otherwise required by local or state law)

For applicants in our Waterloo, San Francisco, or Los Angeles locations: Pursuant to the Waterloo and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, as well as the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with the law.

Compensation: 18.37 to 32.52 (USD) (HOURLY)

About the company

PetSmart operates a chain of retail stores and an online platform that sell pet products and provide pet services. The main offerings include pet food and supplies, along with services such as grooming, dog training, and boarding. The way it works is by direct sales through physical stores and online shopping, with added options like curbside pickup and same-day delivery, plus loyalty programs and promotional offers to encourage repeat business. What sets PetSmart apart from competitors is its combination of a wide range of products with integrated services for pet care (grooming, training, boarding) under one brand, plus convenient service options that streamline shopping and care for pets. The company aims to be a convenient, comprehensive destination for pet owners, enabling them to buy products and access pet care services in one place.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$1.7B

Headquarters

Phoenix, Arizona

Founded

1987

Get referred to PetSmart

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

PetSmart added Open Farm in June 2026, capturing premium nutrition demand and trade-up baskets.
S&P revised PetSmart to stable on July 6, 2026 after three straight comp-sales gains.
August 2026 Halloween and groom-and-play promotions keep traffic high and monetize services seasonally.

What critics are saying

Colorado sued PetSmart in July 2025 over Grooming Academy TRAPs; settlements continue through 2026.
NLRB certified UFCW representation in Mishawaka on June 15, 2026, emboldening broader organizing.
BC Partners loaded PetSmart with $4.8 billion debt; refinancing stress returns if EBITDA weakens in 2027.

What makes PetSmart unique

PetSmart pairs 1,700 stores with salons, vet clinics, training, and boarding, unlike Chewy.
Treats Rewards and same-day fulfillment create sticky repeat purchases across stores, app, and online.
PetSmart Charities adoption programs and in-store services turn stores into community hubs, not aisles.

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Benefits

Wellness Program
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Tuition Reimbursement
Professional Development Budget
Employee Discounts

Company News

Louis Velazquez

Oct 16th, 2026

Pet store chain closures grow, as PetSmart shutters locations.

Pet store chain closures grow, as PetSmart shutters locations. The pet store brick-and-mortar sector, led by PetSmart, Petco, and Petsense, has faced fierce competition from online retailers, such as Chewy and Amazon, which have cut into retail sales and led to dozens of store closures. Petco closed a net of 25 locations in 2024 and over two dozen more stores in 2025 as part of a restructuring and transformation of its chain, which has over 1,500 stores in the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Tractor Supply Company's Petsense pet store chain in July 2026 said that it would close 75 of its 208 locations that had "negative four-wall cash flow," according to its second quarter earnings call statement. PetSmart will close a location in Folsom, Calif., in November 2026 four months after closing a store in San Francisco. PetSmart closes store in November. And now giant pet store chain PetSmart, with over 1,660 stores in North America, has joined the downsizing trend on a smaller scale, as it plans to close a Sacramento area location in November after shuttering its last San Francisco shop in July. PetSmart will close its Folsom, Calif., store at the Broadstone Plaza I retail center at 2705 E. Bidwell St. on Nov. 22. The chain's other Folsom location at 2375 Iron Point Road will remain open, according to the Sacramento Bee. The company did not give a specific reason for closing the Folsom store. Retailer has a nearby store. The Broadstone location sells food, bedding, and accessories for pets, as well as grooming and adoption services. The Iron Point store offers those services and more, including dog day care, veterinary care, and training. "We remain committed to serving pet parents throughout the area, who will continue to have access to our nearby Folsom-Iron Point store, located about 1 mile away, as well as online shopping with convenient delivery options," a PetSmart representative said. The San Francisco PetSmart store closed because of a number of factors, the company said in an email to SFGate. Company adapts to e-commerce growth. "As more customers choose online ordering, autoship, and same-day delivery, we're continuing to adapt how we serve pet parents across the Bay Area," PetSmart said. However, PetSmart encouraged its customers to shop online for its products, which could open the door to customers seeking better deals from competitors. Promotes online shopping. "We remain committed to serving pet parents throughout San Francisco, who will continue to have access to nearby PetSmart locations, including our Daly City store, as well as online shopping with convenient delivery options," PetSmart said. "We are expanding fulfillment capabilities at our Daly City location to help meet the needs of the community," the company said in the message. The San Francisco store offered a variety of services, in addition to its retail products, including dog and cat boarding, doggie day camp, and grooming. "Consumers are still spending on their animals, but online retailers like Chewy are changing where those dollars go," said bankruptcy and restructuring attorney Jonathan Shenson of Greenberg Glusker LLP. "Routine purchases like food and litter no longer necessarily require a trip to the store. Traditional retailers like PetSmart are losing not just the recurring purchases, but also the opportunity to sell other products during that visit," Shenson said in an email to TheStreet. PetSmart is headquartered in Phoenix, where it opened its first two stores in 1987, according to its website. The privately owned company, which employs over 50,000 workers, was sold to private equity firm BC Partners for $8.7 billion in 2015.

The Sacramento Bee

Oct 8th, 2026

PetSmart to close one of its two Folsom stores, company says.

PetSmart to close one of its two Folsom stores, company says. October 7, 2026 6:05 PM Gift Article One of two PetSmart locations in southeast Folsom will close next month, a representative for the company said in an email. The national chain's store in the Broadstone Plaza I Retail Center at 2705 East Bidwell St. will close Nov. 22. The company did not explain the reason for the closure. The store sells PetSmart's typical pet supply offerings - including food, bedding and accessories for animals - and offers grooming and adoption services. Another PetSmart location, about a mile away at 2375 Iron Point Road, will remain open. That store offers additional services, including dog day care, veterinary care and training, along with grooming and adoption services. "We remain committed to serving pet parents throughout the area, who will continue to have access to our nearby Folsom - Iron Point store, located about 1 mile away, as well as online shopping with convenient delivery options," the company representative said. Food & Drink October 6, 2026 4:37 PM Restaurant News & Reviews October 6, 2026 1:43 PM The Sacramento Bee Haley Parsley is the acting Folsom and El Dorado Hills watchdog reporter for The Sacramento Bee. She holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, where she was a fellow at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. While there, she reported on immigration policy in the state. She has previously reported in Oklahoma City.

PR Newswire

Oct 1st, 2026

PetSmart celebrates Halloween with free in-store events, including new Meet the Spooky Pets experience.

PetSmart celebrates Halloween with free in-store events, including new Meet the Spooky Pets experience. Oct 01, 2026, 09:07 ET Trick-or-treating, photo opportunities and encounters with spooky critters are coming to PetSmart stores nationwide this October PHOENIX, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - PetSmart's Halloween events are back and spookier than ever. As Halloween celebrations increasingly include pets, PetSmart is inviting pets and pet parents to enjoy free in-store festivities, with pet trick-or-treating events and a new Meet the Spooky Pets experience where families can learn more about creepy crawler companions.* With all stores participating, pet parents can get in the Halloween spirit throughout the month of October. PetSmart's In-Store Halloween Events: * Tricks for Treats Event, Oct. 17 and 25 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Pets can show off their costumes and receive complimentary treats at stations throughout the store, in addition to coloring pages and festive sticker sheets for their families. Pet parents can create sharable memories with their pets as the event will feature a photo area with a festive Halloween backdrop and props. Additionally, the first 50 attendees will get a Halloween themed PetSmart tote bag. Pet costumes are encouraged but not required, every pet is a star no matter what they wear. * Meet the Spooky Pets, Oct. 18 from noon - 2 p.m.: Snakes, spiders, death-feigning beetles oh my! PetSmart's new creature feature, Meet the Spooky Pets, introduces families to specialty pets while learning about their daily care and activities from PetSmart associates. Featured pets may vary by store. "Our Halloween trick-or-treating event is one of our biggest of the year, and we love seeing pets and their families take part," said Bradley Breuer, senior vice president of marketing at PetSmart. "This year, we're expanding the celebration to include our new Meet the Spooky Pets experience. For anyone curious about pets like spiders, snakes and invertebrates, this is a chance to learn what makes these animals fascinating and what they need to thrive. Whether you're crawler-curious or a longtime fan, we hope you'll join us." After celebrating in-store, pet parents are encouraged to share a photo on social media using #PetSmartHalloweenContest and one category hashtag: #MainCharacter for a solo costume look, #BooCrew for a pet dressed up with a favorite toy, furry friend or human, or #SpookyScene for a spooky scene built around your pet's costume. Three grand-prize winners, one per category, will receive $500 in savings, equivalent to 250,000 Treats Rewards points. Nine runners-up total, three per category, will each receive $250 in savings, equivalent to 125,000 Treats Rewards points.[‡] Looking for pet Halloween costume inspiration? PetSmart's exclusive Thrills & Chills collection has looks for every personality, from fan-favorite classics and creepy styles to iconic and totally hilarious picks. For more information on PetSmart's in-store Halloween events and to browse the full Thrills & Chills collection, visit PetSmart.com. *Pets are allowed in PetSmart stores in accordance with the in-store pet policy located here for the U.S. and here for Canada Free items and/or gifts are available while supplies last and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. ‡To enter the #PetSmartHalloweenContest, see the category information, rules & eligibility here: http://ptsmrt.co/HalloweenCostumeContest. No Purchase Necessary. 18+. Ends 10/26. About PetSmart PetSmart is the leading omni-channel pet retailer in North America with a mission to help everyone experience more joy with pets. The company offers a compelling assortment of pet care essentials, exclusive brands and must-have items for each season, along with expert pet services. With more than 1,700 stores across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico - plus a seamless shopping experience at PetSmart.com and through the PetSmart app - PetSmart's convenient shopping options are complete with autoship, same-day delivery and in-store pickup. Expert services include a professional grooming salon in every store, veterinary care in more than 700 locations, pet training, and Doggie Day Camp and PetsHotel overnight boarding in many locations. The PetSmart Treats Rewards loyalty program provides value to pet parents through personalized offers and points on every purchase that can be used for future savings. PetSmart and PetSmart Charities have a long-standing commitment to supporting pets and people in the communities they serve, and PetSmart Charities is the largest funder of animal welfare in North America. Together, they are proud to have helped more than 11 million pets find loving homes through in-store pet adoption programs. For more information, visit PetSmart.com. SOURCE PetSmart

Hometown Vending

Sep 26th, 2026

Breakroom vending for Willis retail crews along I-45 & FM 1097.

Breakroom vending for Willis retail crews along I-45 & FM 1097. Willis's stretch of Interstate 45 at FM 1097 keeps adding places where people work long retail and service shifts - and that means more breakrooms that need to work on the first try. Community Impact reported that PetSmart held its grand opening at 12264 I-45 North on September 19, 2026, with grooming, training, and adoption services under one roof. A few doors down the same corridor, state accessibility filings show a large tenant finish-out at Market at Willis (Building K at 12268 Interstate 45 North) - about 55,000 square feet of retail interior work with a scheduled completion window in mid-September 2026. When those floors open, the crews who stock shelves and greet customers still need a reliable snack and drink stop a few steps from the floor. Hometown Vending Services has stocked Montgomery County workplaces for more than twenty years from Magnolia. Willis rides naturally with the Conroe routes Hometown Vending already run, so north I-45 is not a special trip for Hometown Vending - it is part of the week. Hometown Vending still place the familiar snack and drink machines many retail and warehouse teams trust. Hometown Vending also add cashless card readers and, where the breakroom layout fits, Smart A.I. Coolers so people can grab a cold drink or a refrigerated bite without hunting for change. What growing Willis sites usually need. * Retail and restaurant teams around the I-45 / FM 1097 shopping corridor * Fitness centers and amenity spaces serving the FM 830 and FM 1097 communities * Contractors, shops, and service yards along Highway 75 and the I-45 feeder * Medical offices and smaller employers in and around downtown Willis Classic vending still covers a lot of ground here. Industry breakroom guidance is practical rather than flashy: keep a stable core of items that actually sell, restock on a rhythm that matches your shifts, and make payment fast so a ten-minute break is not spent hunting for a dollar bill. Cashless readers help with that. When a site outgrows a single spiral machine, a Smart A.I. Cooler gives the same floor a grab-and-go option without turning the manager into a second stock clerk. Why a local operator matters on this corridor. When a machine goes empty on a Saturday afternoon or a late weeknight, you need someone who already drives Montgomery County - not a national call center that promises a ticket number. Hometown Vending own and service its own equipment, Hometown Vending keep one local number on every machine, and Willis pairs with the Conroe stops Hometown Vending make every week. If you also have a location farther south, Hometown Vending can put both on one account. Looking for the full Willis overview - equipment types, school-ready options, and FAQs? See its vending machines in Willis, TX page. Next step. If you manage a Willis retail store, fitness center, contractor yard, or office along I-45 or FM 1097 and want a local walkthrough, call 281-305-8363 or use its contact form. Tell Hometown Vending roughly how many people are on site and which shifts you run - Hometown Vending will recommend machines, a cooler, or both.

KVOE

Sep 13th, 2026

One9/5R travel plaza opens.

One9/5R travel plaza opens. Emporia, KS, USA / KVOE Sep 13, 2026 | 11:07 AM It's not fully open to the public, but the One9 and 5R travel plaza complex in far west Emporia is opening in stages. Both sides of the complex - the One9 portion for semis and other heavy trucks on the north side, 5R on the south for passenger vehicles - officially opened Friday. Sbarro has also opened, with India Eats and Starbucks to start their operations later. This marks a major milestone in a project better than 6 years in the public eye after it was announced right before the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020. Groundbreaking took place almost a year ago. The development was almost sold to LV Petroleum this past July. With the travel plaza coming online, work continues behind the scenes to start construction on a strip mall shopping complex and hotel immediately east of the travel plaza. Retail and hotel partners have not been announced and a construction timeline is pending. This continues significant construction underway in west Emporia, with QuikTrip opening to the public this summer and the recent opening of PetSmart at the Emporia Pavilions. The One9/5R facility sits directly east of the Flying J travel plaza and just southwest of QuikTrip.

PetSmart

PetsHotel Experience Lead

About the job