I don't know if this is in the right section, but here I go anyway... I've been looking for a job I would truly enjoy, I'm only 15 (almost 16) and have done the whole fast food and clothing retail, and well it's just not my thing. I want to apply at a local pet store, and have gone to all of them many times. There is one inpeticular I want to apply at because the cages are never clean, the animals are never played with or socialized with humans, and I believe I can change that. I think it is basic knowledge to clean cages when they are dirty, and I clean all of my animals cages daily so it's nothing new to me. I have experience with dogs, cats, ferrets, chinchillas, geckos, bearded dragons, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, and hampsters. Do you think I'm biting of more than I can chew working here? I always just feel so bad about the conditions of cages and I would love to be the one to give all the animals a lovely time before they find there forever home!

And if you didn't understand from my post I LOVE animals but unfortunantly cannot have ALL of them in my house, so I would definantly enjoy working with animals all day!

Here's the problem - you will work under the direction of owners/operators/managers who apparently don't care. Yes, you can TRY to do your best but you will work on the projects they assign to you and that very well may not be the areas in which you are interested.

Have you considered working at a shelter as a volunteer?

I think it's great of you to want to do this but realistically this could be a very unhappy experience for you.

The biggest problem I see is that the boss and staff will take advantage of your good heart and avoid doing their own jobs "because Emily does it soooooo much better."

Then what? (And no, you don't do their work for them.)

Is there a library in town or near you? Apply there to be a page (book shelver). Usually that job has a pretty fast turnaround, since teens who usually do it move to other jobs or go off to college. It won't get you tons of money, but you will gain heaps and gobs of other intangible benefits. Then, volunteer at an animal shelter where the volunteers usually give 100% and will not abuse you work-wise. There will be plenty of cages to clean, dogs to walk, animals to socialize and groom, plus you will learn lots from the animals AND from the other volunteers who are there simply because they love the animals.

Working at a pet store when I was 15 was the single most heart breaking thing I have ever done.
You fast learn where these animals come from, the people calling back because their pets won't go out side to pee. Not getting the time YOU want to clean cages because you need to stock shelves or fish out dead fish. It's a hard job. I hated it.

The owner is the only other person who works on the floor, and there is two that work in the office so I think I may get to handle them, but maybe not I guess. I applied numerous times for
Volunteer at the shelter here but for some odd reason you have to have an education to do with animals to volunteer. And for the library thing... I've gone to the library a few times... There is no one ever there, and there is only a few shelves of books, it has kind of died a lot I. The past few years. What do you guys think about working at another pet store, it deals with fish, rodents, and shelter dogs and cats that are over a year old (I guess considering puppies and kittens are easier to adopt out in shelters)

I think that's ONE HUGE step in a better direction.

You can try, but obviously they are not clean because the owners most likely do not want to pay to have them cleaned, and keep help to a very min.

Many pet stores have little staff , who has to stock shelves, work the register, wait on customers, and take care of the animals.

My turn.

There's always a chance that an owner might go for someone working for him/her at minimum wage.

You might be able to approach the owner in a different fashion. Something like: Hi, my name is x, and I've been in this store numerous times. I've noticed that your animals don't seem to be happy and their cages don't look as clean as other pet stores.
I'm looking for a job and I think I can contribute to your bottom line by making your animals happier by socializing and cleaning their cages. I have extensive experience with my own pets such as xyz. I'm 15 and I'm looking for about x hours per week maximum.

Good idea KISS.

I really enjoyed working at pet stores. It was nothing but taking care of animals, helping people take care of animals and everyone who I worked with loved animals. A lot of it was very rewarding.

However the company had its rules on how to properly take care of animals. It didn't matter what a local vet said or a book, the company had its guidelines and no matter what, you had to follow those rules.

With a small time pet store, the owner may not have the money to hire someone to take care of the animals. I know that's no excuse, but it could be a valid reason why things look the way they do.

If you want to work at a pet store, then go for it. I know I enjoyed it. In fact, if I didn't have to pay bills or eat, id still work at one! In other words, I didn't get paid a lot of money. But if your looking at the job to improve the quality of life, you may leave very disappointed. Unless the owner is open to new suggestions, then you're going to have to follow their rules, whether you agree to it or not.

Happy job hunting..

I don't want to straight out tell him I think his pet store is gross and depressing... But anyway, I can't volunteer at the shelter here with out a degree that deals with animals, I've applied numerous times but they give me the same reply, I've even volunteered to stricktly clean kennals; but I can't. The library here is a joke, it had a few shelves of books, most of which are ripped/falling apart, no one goes there, and I mean no one! I also tried volunteering at a local vets office to
Clean cages and feed the animals, but
You have to be 18 for liabilty issues. Do you have any other suggestions where I can try? I've thought about an animals supply store but your left alone so I think you have to be 18...

I think the legal working age is 16.. 18 at some companies.

As far as I know, you don't nedd a degree to clean kennels at a shelter. They're just telling you that.

You may need to wait another year or two and try then. Your age may not get you a job where you want it.

How about talking to an area Vet? If not employment, maybe volunteer work there.

Find out how you can further your education in that field.

I wish you the best. You're a sweet girl. I'm sure your parents are proud of you.

Hello E:

I agree with the others. Making a difference IS like pushing on a string. But, somebody's got to take a stand, and I applaud you for doing it. No, it AIN'T easy. So, who told you life is easy?

You go for it, girl.

excon

What about pet sitting? Dog walking? The professionals charge an arm and a leg. If you find out what the going rate is and charge less, you could be working your butt off all summer.

I applied today, at both pet stores I mentioned, so let's hope I get one :)

I dig your attitude.

I'm certain keeping a dirty cage is breaking some kind of ordinance. Most likely, the law is on your side in this one, so do your research and be well-prepared in case you got to use a little muscle down the road, provided you get the job, of course.

Since his business is privately owned, and not many people go in there, I'm ASSUMING there is no complaints about the conditions. I personally have no idea who I would say something to.. the humane society?

Housing a lot of small animals in a cage is hard to keep squeaky clean and presentable to the purchasing public.

Be careful not to step on anyone's toes. That'll be a tough battle to win.

Like I said, the store may not have the money to properly staff the store. If you get hired, be prepared to do more then just clean hamster cages...

Good luck

If the cages are in deplorable condition you must report the situation to the local Animal Shelter - usually the SPCA. Before you make a report be certain that you are correct because the next time (if they find nothing actionable the first time) they will be VERY reluctant to check. As far as socializing or playing with the animals I am not aware that any pet stores do that. Unfortunate but true - they are in business to make money and that involves spending as little on overhead as possible.

Have you applied to any of the private animal rescue organizations in your area? When I was active in animal rescue a number of people, 12 and up, were very active in caring for the animals, walking them, socializing them.

The only other animals recuse group has all there animals in foster care, and it's up to the foster home to walk an socialize the pets.

There is one animal rescue group in your area? I'm shocked!

There is a humane society, which I can't volunteer at, and there is another one that is only foster homes, so there is two. But that covers A LOT of places, the next nearest one is 3 hours away.

Wow! Have you asked (politely, of course) why you can't volunteer if you are underage?

I wonder if someone would actually speak to you, interview you, see your interest in animals, if they wouldn't find a way -

Yea, they tell me every time I apply that I NEED a degree that has to do with animals. It's ridiculous.

Good luck on the pet stores.

One other thought, do you have any senior citizens or people who are disabled in your area who could benefit by having someone help take care of their pets? Not just walking dogs, but cleaning litter boxes, weekly brushings, cleaning fish tanks, etc.