Cat Trainer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Flexible schedule
• Training & development

Cat groomer wanted for a calmer, more independent grooming role.
Bark & Mane is hiring an experienced dog groomer to join our growing mobile grooming team, with a focus on expanding our cat grooming services. Professional cat grooming experience is preferred but not required. If you are already confident completing full-service dog grooms and are interested in learning professional cat grooming, we are willing to provide hands-on training.We provide premium, one-on-one grooming at the customer’s home, with a focus on making the experience easier and less stressful for pets and their families. You’ll work out of a fully equipped Mercedes-Benz mobile grooming van, supported by an office team that handles scheduling, routing, and client communication.
This position will begin part-time at approximately 30 hours per week. As appointment demand grows and we expand our fleet, the position is expected to transition to full-time within approximately four months.
This role is a good fit for someone who takes pride in quality work, communicates well with clients, is confident grooming dogs independently, and is either experienced with cats or genuinely interested in learning how to groom them safely and professionally.
Compensation
This is a non-exempt hourly position with commission-based earning potential and tips.

• Hourly pay starting at $22/hour
• Overtime paid as required by California law 
• Estimated full-route earnings of approximately $300+ per day before tips
• Tips are additional 
• Referral and performance bonus opportunities may also be available
• Groomers without professional cat grooming experience will receive paid cat grooming training at a separate training rate while completing their feline grooming education and hands-on training. Once trained and approved to perform cat grooming independently, regular grooming compensation will apply
• Groomers who complete our cat grooming training program will be eligible for a $500 retention bonus after six months and an additional $750 retention bonus after twelve months of continued employment

Our mobile grooming model serves clients who value convenience, quality, and one-on-one care at home. Because appointment prices are higher than those at many traditional salons, experienced groomers can earn strong daily pay while grooming fewer pets in a quieter, more focused environment.
A full route of approximately six appointments can generate around $310/day before tips, with tips adding additional earning potential. During ramp-up or lighter schedule days, groomers are protected by a guaranteed hourly base of $22/hour.
Schedule and Growth
This position will begin with approximately 30 hours per week in the form of 10 hour workdays, Thursday-Saturday.
Our goal is for this role to grow into a full-time position within approximately four months as the client schedule expands and an additional grooming van is added. The timing of the transition will depend on business growth, appointment demand, and applicable California wage-and-hour requirements.
When business needs and California wage-and-hour rules allow, our longer-term goal is to offer full-time groomers a four-day workweek. Overtime is paid as required by California law.
Why Work with Bark & Mane?
A calmer workday
Work one-on-one with pets in a quiet, cage-free mobile setting. There is no crowded salon floor, no stacked kennels, and no constant pressure to rush through as many pets as possible.
The private mobile environment can be especially beneficial for cats, senior pets, anxious pets, and pets that struggle in a busy salon.
Build valuable cat grooming skills
Cat grooming is an important part of this position—not an occasional add-on. If you're an experienced dog groomer who has wanted to learn feline grooming, we'll provide training and help you develop the skills and confidence to groom cats safely and independently. Experienced cat groomers are equally welcome and will have the opportunity to help us expand access to professional mobile cat grooming throughout the West Placer area.Quality-focused grooming
We want groomers to work efficiently, but never at the expense of safety, comfort, or the quality of the groom.
Independence
You’ll work independently throughout the day, with support from the office for scheduling, routing, and client communication.
Strong earning potential
Our clients are looking for premium mobile grooming—not bargain-basement grooming. This creates strong earning potential while allowing you to focus on fewer pets and provide more individualized care.
Fully equipped mobile grooming van provided
We provide a Mercedes-Benz mobile grooming van with air conditioning, heating, water, electricity, a hydrobath, and a professional grooming setup.
Fuel and business supplies covered
Fuel, van maintenance, and standard business grooming supplies are covered. Groomers may also use their own preferred personal tools.
Safety matters
You have the ability to decline pets that cannot be groomed safely. Groomer safety and pet well-being both matter here.
Supportive owner and team culture
Bark & Mane is a growing local business, and we want to build our team the right way—with clear communication, high standards, accountability, and respect for the people doing the work.
Responsibilities
As a Bark & Mane mobile groomer, you will:

• Provide safe, high-quality grooming services for dogs and, once trained and qualified, cats
• Complete cat bath and brush services, de-shedding treatments, sanitary trims, nail trims, mat removal, and full cat haircuts appropriate to your level of training and experience
• Participate in hands-on cat grooming training when needed and demonstrate the ability to safely perform feline services before working independently 
• Independently complete full-service dog grooming appointments 
• Evaluate each pet’s coat condition, behavior, and grooming needs
• Use safe, low-stress handling techniques appropriate for cats and dogs
• Recognize when a service cannot be completed safely and communicate concerns appropriately
• Safely operate a mobile grooming van
• Communicate clearly, warmly, and professionally with clients
• Keep the van clean, safe, sanitized, and organized
• Follow proper animal handling, sanitation, and safety procedures
• Maintain accurate service notes and communicate relevant information to the office
• Help create a dependable, professional experience for pets and their families
• Represent Bark & Mane with kindness, reliability, and good judgment

Required Qualifications
We are looking for an experienced groomer who has:

• Professional dog grooming experience
• Ability to complete full dog grooms independently 
• Strong bathing, drying, brushing, clipping, de-matting, and finishing skills 
• Good scissoring and styling skills 
• Excellent animal handling and safety awareness 
• Strong customer service and communication skills 
• A valid driver's license and clean driving record 
• Reliability, professionalism, and good judgment 
• Comfort working independently throughout the day 
• Ability to safely perform the physical duties associated with professional grooming and mobile van operation 
• Either professional cat grooming experience or a genuine willingness to learn feline grooming
• Comfort working with cats and the ability to learn feline behavior, handling, and safety techniques

Preferred Qualifications
The following experience is helpful but not required:

• Mobile grooming experience
• Professional cat grooming experience
• Ability to independently complete full-service cat grooming 
• Experience assessing feline behavior and recognizing signs of stress 
• Advanced cat grooming education or certification 
• Experience grooming anxious, senior, or special-care pets
• AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming certification
• Other professional grooming education or certifications

If you do not already have AKC S.A.F.E. certification, Bark & Mane will provide the training during onboarding.
No degree is required. We care most about your dog grooming ability, reliability, judgment, communication, how you treat pets and clients, and your willingness to learn. Prior cat grooming experience is a plus, but it is not required.
About Bark & Mane
Bark & Mane is a locally owned mobile pet grooming business serving Rocklin, Lincoln, Roseville, Loomis, and the surrounding West Placer area. We are a new local business backed by the systems and experience of an established national mobile grooming franchise. As we grow, we want to become known for excellent groomers, dependable service, safe and compassionate cat grooming, and long-term relationships with pets and their families.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Bark & Mane is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants who need accommodation during the application or interview process should contact management.
Apply Today
 If you're an experienced dog groomer who already works with cats—or you're interested in adding professional cat grooming to your skill set—we'd love to hear from you. 
Please apply with a resume or summary of your professional grooming experience. If you have cat grooming experience, tell us about the feline services you are comfortable performing. If you don't, let us know why you're interested in learning cat grooming.Apply today to join Bark & Mane as an Experienced Mobile Dog & Cat Groomer.