An Animal Care Worker or Manager manages animal care and grooming for a retail store that sells pets or for a pet grooming business. May also provide animal care and grooming at a kennel. Works with animals in shelters or rescue organizations. Works primarily with dogs and cats. Assists veterinarians with vaccinations or other procedures; screens people who want to adopt an animal from a shelter and provides information about caring for animals.
Dog Bather & Receptionist / Pet Store Associate The Puppy Parlor - Yarmouth, Maine The Puppy Parlor is looking for a reliable, caring, and customer-focused Dog Bather & Receptionist / Pet Store Associate to join our team! This is a hands-on, multifaceted position for someone who loves working with dogs and enjoys helping people. The ideal candidate is comfortable caring for dogs, working in a busy grooming salon, interacting with clients, answering phones, scheduling appointments, and helping customers find the right products for their pets. You will be an important part of both the grooming salon and our growing pet store.
What You'll Do:
Dog Bathing & Grooming Prep Bathe dogs using proper bathing and drying techniques Brush and comb dogs of all coat types Properly dry dogs using salon drying equipment Perform grooming prep work, including: Paw pad shaving Sanitary trims Nail trims Ear cleaning Other basic grooming preparation Safely handle and care for dogs throughout their visit Recognize signs of stress, fear, discomfort, or anxiety in dogs and respond appropriately Maintain a calm, clean, and safe environment for the dogs Keep bathing and grooming areas clean and organized Assist groomers as needed Reception & Pet Store Warmly greet clients and their dogs Answer phones and respond to client questions Schedule and manage grooming appointments Check clients in and out Communicate professionally with clients about grooming services Educate customers about our pet store products and help them find products appropriate for their dogs Learn about and confidently recommend our treats, chews, grooming products, collars, leashes, and other pet supplies Process retail and grooming transactions Restock merchandise and maintain an organized, attractive store Receive and organize inventory Keep the reception and retail areas clean and welcoming Help with other daily tasks needed to keep the salon and store running smoothly What We're Looking For We are looking for someone who is: Experienced working with dogs and comfortable handling a variety of breeds and temperaments Experienced with bathing, brushing, drying, and basic grooming prep OR willing to learn Friendly, outgoing, and comfortable talking with clients Reliable and dependable Organized and able to multitask Comfortable answering phones and working with scheduling software A good communicator who can confidently explain services and products to clients Comfortable working in a busy environment while remaining calm and patient Detail-oriented and takes pride in keeping things clean and organized A team player who is willing to jump in wherever needed Compassionate and respectful toward both dogs and people Retail or customer service experience is a plus. Dog grooming experience is strongly preferred, but we are willing to train the right person. About The Puppy Parlor At The Puppy Parlor, we believe it's not about the perfect groom—it's about the wellbeing of the dog. We are committed to providing a calm, safe, and respectful environment for the dogs in our care. We believe dogs respond to our energy, so patience, awareness, and gentle handling are extremely important to us. We also believe in treating our team and our clients with respect. We are a family-owned business that values teamwork, communication, professionalism, and a positive work environment. This position is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys both working with dogs and working with people and wants a job where no two days are exactly the same.
