Quick Answer

Yes, Petco hires people with felony convictions on a case-by-case basis. As America’s second-largest pet specialty retailer with 1,500+ stores, Petco offers accessible employment opportunities across retail, animal care, grooming, and dog training.

Common roles include:

• Pet Care Specialist ($13–$16/ hour) – retail sales and animal care, most accessible

• Aquatics Specialist ($13–$17/ hour) – fish and aquarium expertise

• Dog Trainer ($14–$19/ hour) – training classes, certification provided

• Pet Groomer ($14–$21/ hour + tips) – after completing Petco grooming academy

Career Path: Pet Care Specialist → Lead or Trainer → Department Manager ($32,000–$48,000/ year)

About Petco

Petco operates over 1,500 pet specialty retail stores across the United States and Mexico.

Founded in 1965, the company employs around 27,000 people and offers pet products, grooming, veterinary services (Vetco clinics), training programs, and adoption partnerships.

Petco provides career opportunities in:

• Retail customer service and sales

• Aquatics and animal habitat care

• Grooming and pet styling

• Dog training and behavior education

• Department and store management

Comprehensive training and advancement paths make Petco one of the most accessible animal care employers for people rebuilding their lives in 2025.

Does Petco Hire People with Felonies?

Petco evaluates applicants with criminal records individually and does not automatically disqualify anyone based on their background. Store managers and district leaders have discretion within corporate guidelines, considering conviction type, time elapsed, and position relevance.

What Petco Considers

• Nature and severity of conviction (violent vs. non-violent)

• Time since conviction (5–7+ years viewed favorably)

• Relevance to pet retail or animal care

• Job type (retail, grooming, training, etc.)

• Work history since conviction

• Rehabilitation efforts and references

Most Accessible Petco Positions

Pet Care Specialist, Aquatics Specialist, Cashier, Stocker, Groomer Apprentice, and Dog Trainer.

Convictions Often Accepted

Non-violent felonies, older drug or property crimes, DUIs, or probation violations.

Convictions Facing Scrutiny

Animal cruelty or abuse (disqualifying), recent violence, theft from employers, or sexual offenses.

Available Jobs at Petco for People with Records

Pet Care Specialist

($13–$16/ hour)

Assists customers, maintains animal habitats, stocks merchandise, and provides care for fish, birds, and small animals. Comprehensive training included.

Aquatics Specialist

($13–$17/ hour)

Maintains aquariums, tests water quality, advises customers on fish care, and manages aquatic displays. Great fit for fish enthusiasts.

Cashier

($12–$15/ hour)

Handles customer transactions, payments, and returns while providing excellent front-end service.

Stocker / Merchandiser

($13–$16/ hour)

Receives shipments, stocks shelves, and organizes inventory. Physical but straightforward behind-the-scenes role.

Dog Trainer

($14–$19/ hour)

Leads group training classes, teaches obedience, and provides customer education. Petco offers certification training.

Groomer Apprentice / Pet Stylist

($14–$21/ hour + tips)

Performs grooming services including bathing, styling, and trimming. Petco’s grooming academy provides training at no cost.

Assistant Manager

($35,000–$50,000/ year)

Supervises store operations, trains staff, manages inventory, and ensures sales targets are met.

Department Manager

($32,000–$48,000/ year)

Oversees specific store departments such as Aquatics or Grooming, supervises team members, and maintains department performance.

Petco Background Check:

What to Expect

Petco conducts background checks after conditional offers using third-party screening. These reviews usually go back seven years (depending on state law) and include county, state, and federal databases.

Typical timeline: 5–7 business days after authorization.

What May Disqualify

• Animal cruelty or abuse convictions

• Recent violent felonies (within 3–5 years)

• Active warrants or pending charges

• Convictions directly related to job duties

Drug Testing

Most Petco locations require pre-employment drug screening (urine test). The company maintains a zero-tolerance policy for positive results.

How to Apply to Petco with a Felony (Step-by-Step)

1. Apply to several Petco stores in your area to maximize your chances.

   
   

2. Emphasize your love for animals and desire for a pet care career.

   
   

3. Highlight any specialized interests (fishkeeping, grooming, or dog training).

   
   

4. Apply online at petco.com/careers and follow up in person.

   
   

5. Be honest if asked about your background and show rehabilitation progress.

   
   

6. Stay flexible with hours—weekends and holidays improve your odds.

   
   

7. Show long-term interest in growth and advancement.

   
   

8. Consider aquatics or grooming paths, which often need motivated workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Petco hire convicted felons?

Yes. Petco hires people with felony convictions on a case-by-case basis. Many employees with records work successfully as Pet Care Specialists, Aquatics Experts, and Groomers.

Will Petco hire me with a felony?

Possibly. Petco considers conviction type, time elapsed, and job role. Non-violent felonies from over three years ago are often acceptable.

What is the most accessible position at Petco?

The Pet Care Specialist role ($13–$16/ hour) is the easiest to obtain, with steady hiring and advancement to grooming or management.

Can you work at Petco with a theft conviction?

Maybe. Older theft convictions (5–7+ years) are often acceptable. Petco may place you in stock or backroom positions initially.

How far back does Petco’s background check go?

Typically seven years, though it varies by state. Petco reviews results case-by-case.

Does Petco automatically reject felons?

No. Petco does not automatically reject applicants with felonies unless the offense is directly related to the job, such as animal cruelty.

Can you work at Petco while on probation or parole?

Yes. Many employees balance probation with work. Be transparent about scheduling needs.

Does Petco drug test?

Yes. Most stores conduct pre-employment drug tests, and some perform random testing during employment.

Can felons advance to management at Petco?

Absolutely. Many managers began as entry-level associates and advanced through performance and reliability.

Is Petco felon-friendly?

Yes. Petco is considered felon-friendly in 2025 with case-by-case evaluation and strong promotion from within.

Similar Companies That Hire People with Felonies

• PetSmart – 1,650 stores; similar roles; $13–$16/ hour; case-by-case hiring.

• Tractor Supply Co. – Pet and farm supply retailer; $12–$16/ hour; accessible retail jobs.

• Rural King – Farm and pet retail; case-by-case evaluation.

• Banfield Pet Hospital – Vet assistants ($13–$18/ hour) inside PetSmart stores.

• VCA Animal Hospitals – Veterinary and receptionist positions; case-by-case hiring.

• Independent Vet Clinics – Often hire locally with animal care experience.

• Animal Shelters – Nonprofit organizations hiring attendants; mission-based hiring.

• Dog Walking/Boarding Services – Rover, Wag, or local pet care facilities offering flexible work.

Final Thoughts

Petco provides one of the most accessible pet retail and animal care career paths for people with felony records.

With 1,500+ stores, roles like Pet Care Specialist ($13–$16/ hour) and Bather or Groomer Apprentice ($14–$21/ hour + tips) offer real entry points. Petco’s training programs—dog training certification and grooming academy—create advancement opportunities into higher-paying positions such as Department Manager ($32,000–$48,000/ year) or Assistant Manager ($35,000–$50,000/ year).

Petco’s hiring process is fair, structured, and supportive of rehabilitation, focusing on current reliability over past mistakes.

Start here: Visit petco.com/careers to apply online or visit your nearest Petco store to apply in person.