Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

The Work

Pet shop assistants look after animals, birds and fish in pet stores. They serve customers and carry out other retail duties, including handling cash and dealing with credit/debit card transactions. Some pet shops sell pet food and accessories but not animals. In these shops, the work is very much like any other job in retailing.

Most pet stores sell small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils, as well as caged birds and fish.

Pet shop workers are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting, providing food and water, and checking general health and condition of any animals that are sold in the shop. Any problems are reported to the owner or manager.

They also serve customers and sell pet food and accessories such as cages, hutches, bedding, feeding bowls, tablets, sprays and so on. They may answer customers' queries about problems such as fleas or worming.  

Other tasks include receiving and unpacking stock, and keeping the shop clean and tidy.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
• Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
• Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
• Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
• Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
• Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
• Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
• Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
• Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
• Inventory stock and requisition new stock.

Further Information

• Pet Shop Worker - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

This is an entry level job and a specific qualification are typically not required, though may be sought by certain employers. Previous experience or education & training in customer services, sales, or animal care would be an advantage.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship Animal care, Sales, Customer service Search our FET coursefinder  

FET PLC Course  Animal care, Sales, Customer service NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC coursefinder 

Professional Development

Apprentcieship Sales NFQ Level 6, Retail Supervision NFQ level 6 search apprenticeships

Professional Development

With some experience, you may have an opportunity to progress to a supervisor or manager role via Supervisory Management NFQ level 6 Search our FET coursefinder

You may also want to open your own pet shop, in which case you need to be fully aware of all regulations concerning selling animals. For example, to sell animals in a pet store, the shop must have a licence to do so, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €31k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Excel recruitment/ Glassdoor/ Payscale

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a below average growth rate, employment for sales assistants grew by 8,700 persons between 2021 and 2022 in line with the recovery in the wholesale and retail sector. However, recent job hires far exceeded any growth in employment pointing to significant job churn for this occupation.

This is likely to be related to the young profile of workers in this occupation (44% were aged 15-24 years) and the majority (58%) being in part-time roles. There was a large volume of vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland and OVATE. Job opportunities are likely to continue to arise for this occupation given its large size and the volume of turnover.

• Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  • National Animal Centre, Derrylogher Lodge, Keenagh, Co. Longford
  • (043) 3325035
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Retail Ireland

  • Click Here