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Part Time Animal Care Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

Responsible for the pet healthcare of store owned pets, which includes feeding, watering and ... small animal, cricket, and fish aquariums). * Maintains total store cleanliness standards.

Part Time Animal Care information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$9

$17

$26

How much do part time animal care jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for part time animal care in Decatur, IL is $17.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by part-time animal care workers, and how can they be managed?

Part-time animal care workers often face challenges such as adapting to varying animal temperaments, managing physically demanding tasks, and maintaining consistency in animal routines despite irregular hours. To manage these, strong communication with full-time staff is essential to stay updated on animal needs and any changes in care plans. Additionally, being proactive in learning about animal behavior and practicing proper safety protocols can help ensure both worker and animal well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Part Time Animal Care worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Part Time Animal Care worker, you need basic animal handling skills, knowledge of animal behavior, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with cleaning protocols, feeding schedules, and software for recordkeeping or scheduling is typically required. Compassion, reliability, and strong communication skills are important for building trust with animals and collaborating with staff. These abilities ensure the well-being of animals, efficient care routines, and a safe, supportive environment.

What are part time animal care jobs?

Part time animal care jobs involve working with animals on a flexible or reduced-hour schedule, often in settings like animal shelters, veterinary clinics, pet boarding facilities, or zoos. Responsibilities can include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, walking dogs, providing basic health checks, and assisting with socialization and exercise. These roles are ideal for individuals who love animals but may have other commitments, such as school or another job, and typically require compassion, reliability, and a willingness to handle a variety of animal care tasks.

What jobs can I do if I love animals?

Jobs for those who love animals include animal care technician, pet groomer, veterinary assistant, and dog walker. These roles often require compassion, basic knowledge of animal behavior, and sometimes certifications or training in animal handling and safety. They typically involve working in shelters, clinics, or pet services and may require part-time schedules.

What jobs can I do in animal care?

In animal care, common jobs include animal caretaker, kennel attendant, pet groomer, veterinary assistant, and animal shelter worker. These roles often require basic knowledge of animal behavior, handling skills, and sometimes certifications such as pet first aid or animal care training. They typically involve tasks like feeding, cleaning, monitoring health, and providing companionship to animals.

What animal care jobs pay the most?

Among animal care jobs, positions such as veterinary technicians, animal behavior specialists, and zoo keepers tend to have higher salaries due to specialized skills and certifications. These roles often require additional training or education and may offer higher pay in facilities with larger budgets or in urban areas. Experience and advanced qualifications can also lead to increased earnings in animal care careers.

How can I work with animals but not be a vet?

Part-time animal care roles include positions such as veterinary assistants, animal shelter workers, pet groomers, and pet sitters. These jobs often require basic animal handling skills, patience, and sometimes certifications like pet first aid, but do not require veterinary degrees. They provide opportunities to work closely with animals without becoming a veterinarian.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Care jobs in Decatur, IL? The most popular types of Animal Care jobs in Decatur, IL are:
What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Part Time Animal Care jobs? Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Part Time Animal Care job openings:
Infographic showing various Part Time Animal Care job openings in Decatur, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,913 per year, or $17.7 per hour.
Retail Sales Associate Part Time

Retail Sales Associate Part Time

PetSmart

Forsyth, IL • On-site

$15 - $25.25/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


PetSmart rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 1,088 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Job Description
PetSmart does Anything for Pets - JOIN OUR TEAM!
Retail Sales Associate Part Time
About Life at PetSmart
At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed.
Benefits that benefit you
  • Paid Weekly
  • Health & Wellness Benefits*
  • 401k Plan with company match
  • Paid Time off for full-time associates
  • Associate discounts
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Career pathing
  • Development opportunities

Job Summary
PetSmart's Pet Associate (Retail Sales Associate) is responsible for engaging with pet parents and their pets while providing positive experiences and upholding the company's vision, mission, values, and strategy. This role also shares responsibility of store cleanliness and maintenance, and pet safety standards as well as the direct care of pets within our store.
Essential Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may vary depending on store characteristics and needs:
  • Responsible for the pet parent experience and outcomes conducted in person, over the phone, at the sales register and online.
  • Greets pet parents and answers their questions throughout the store.
  • Prepares online orders for pick-up in store and ensures a smooth, positive, pick-up experience.
  • Responsible for the pet healthcare of store owned pets, which includes feeding, watering and cleaning all pet habitats (bird, reptile, small animal, cricket, and fish aquariums).
  • Maintains total store cleanliness standards.
  • Supports the store with weekly price changes and monthly promotional pricing.
  • Stages and sorts new product to match sales floor planners.
  • Faces, fills, and recovers products to meet sales floor standards.
  • Recommends, informs, and sells merchandise, services and live pets.
  • Administers store owned pet medications as directed by veterinarian
  • Promotes special events such as adoption weekends, Treats enrollment, charity events, etc.
  • Ensures a safe environment for our associates, pets, and pet parents.
  • Responsible for taking immediate action when a sick/injured pet is identified in the store; transport to the vet as needed.
  • Assists and works in various areas throughout the store (including services) as required. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Participates in our culture of Belonging and Recognition.
  • Follows all Company Policies and Procedures.

Qualifications
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Flexibility in schedule, able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
  • Ability to react under pressure and maintain composure.

Essential physical demands and work environment
  • Associate required to stand, walk, climb a ladder, and use hands to handle, feel, hold, write, etc. The associate frequently is required to reach with hands and arms: stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally team lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the associate is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, as well as a wet environment with an abundance of pet hair. The noise level is moderate in the work environment; however, associates may be exposed to high levels of noise at times. Exposure to live animals and their handling is common.

Do what you love
Join us for a chance to make a meaningful impact every day. Whether it's helping a customer choose their first fish, celebrating a pet's birthday, or seeing the smile on a pet parent's face after a fresh groom-you'll create moments that matter. At PetSmart, we cherish diversity and the unique perspectives of our 50,000 associates, all united by a passion for pets.
We're delighted you're interested in joining our pack and helping us in our commitment to doing Anything for Pets, and the people who love them. We're excited to hear your story and learn more about you! Apply Now!
PetSmart is an Equal Opportunity Employer
PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We offer reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our application process, upon request and as required by law.
This listing is not an indication that the position is currently open or available. We are continually looking to build a strong network of talented candidates to join our organization and are always accepting applications. Feel free to contact your local PetSmart store to check on which roles they are actively hiring for.
This job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associates/leaders assigned to this job perform. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. You will be provided with a copy of a job description for the actual position you are hired into. Exact rate of pay will be based on relevant experience level, training, skills or knowledge and store location. This position is paid on a per hour basis. In no instance will PetSmart pay less than the local minimum wage. This position is also eligible for benefits as described at https://benefits.petsmart.com/us/
Applicants must be over the age of 18 (except in Montana or where otherwise required by local or state law)
For applicants in our Waterloo, San Francisco, or Los Angeles locations: Pursuant to the Waterloo and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, as well as the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with the law
*In accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), part-time associates who average at least 30 hours per week (or 130 hours per month) during a designated measurement period may be eligible for medical benefits.
Pay Details
$15.00 - 25.25
Pay Rate Type
Hourly

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About PetSmart

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. With 50,000+ associates nationwide, we foster a culture grounded in integrity, teamwork, and inclusion - where your voice is heard, your efforts are valued and your career can thrive. Together, we make a difference for pets, their people and each other.

Industry

Retail and legal services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US