Pet store experience

[New Foundland]

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I am applying for 2011 admission, and planning on attaining as much animal-related experience along with volunteer work and vet-related experience as possible over the next year..

So my questions is this: If nothing better can be found, would working at a petshop be considered as legitimate animal-related experience by most universities (or AVC which is where i plan to apply) ?
I don't see why it wouldn't, but maybe they look at it in the same light as personal experience owning a pet - completely worthless..

I would appreciate a few short comments on this, so I can sort out my plans for once school is over.
thanks!

 

[psilovethomas]

I spoke with one of the admissions advisors here at Michigan State CVM about what animal experience is to the adcoms. She described animal experience as handling the animal and caring for its well-being. So, if you're working as a sales clerk at say, Petco, then I can't see that as animal experience. But, if you're working at Petco and caring for the pocket animals or birds that they sell, then I would consider that animal experience! Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[bruinvetman]

just be prepared to be grilled on breeding mills in your interviews

 

[deleted266066]

Yes I think it would classify as "animal experience", if you really can't find anything else (I have seen others' "successful stats" listed on here with stuff like PetSmart employee included). You should be *very* careful about the kind of place you work for though. I think PetSmart is great because it promotes cat/dog adoptions, offers dog obedience classes, etc. Be wary of any pet shop that "sells" dogs (often the smaller pet shops), because it is almost certain they got those dogs from a puppy mill, which is pretty highly looked down upon in the vet world and should be discouraged anyway.

 

[sydneycider]

i worked at petsmart for about 7 months as a "pet care specialist" which is really just cleaning cages and talking to customers on how to handle them and the basics on how to care for them. personally i learned some stuff about exotic animals, but it was a remedial and terrible job. but! i got into about 6 vet schools (out of 11 that i applied for) so its not a waste of time. however, i also have 3+ years working part time at a SA vet clinic during school, and internship at a zoo, and volunteering at spay and neuter clinics, and riding with LA vets. so if you have other experiences, i dont see why schools should look down on working at a pet store. hope that helps!

 

[nyanko]

I worked as a kennel tech at Petland (which does indeed sell puppies and kittens) and counted it as animal experience on my application. (though it's a very small part of my total)

I also mentioned it as a bit of an epiphany/pivotal point in my personal statement. Indeed it was while working there that I decided to change to vet med. In particular, that place was where I developed an interest in canine genetics. I knew the people who bred those dogs were doing something horribly, terribly wrong, and it inspired me. 😉

 

[StartingoverVet]

I worked as a kennel tech at Petland (which does indeed sell puppies and kittens) and counted it as animal experience on my application. (though it's a very small part of my total)

I also mentioned it as a bit of an epiphany/pivotal point in my personal statement. Indeed it was while working there that I decided to change to vet med. In particular, that place was where I developed an interest in canine genetics. I knew the people who bred those dogs were doing something horribly, terribly wrong, and it inspired me. 😉

Nyano - I have only been looking at this forum for the last 2 months but I have to say that I always find your posts interesting and thoughtful (even if I don't agree with every single thing you say). All I know is if all the adcoms reviewed your SDN posts you would have been admitted to every single school you applied to. It is almost amazing to me that hasn't happened. You'll be a credit to whichever school you go to.

I'm not normally a rah rah person, but sometimes it just has to be said!

 

[twelvetigers]

Or, they would let her in out of pure fear...

I agree, though. I hope UC Davis wises up!

 

[that redhead]

I think pet store experience can be very hit-or-miss. Are you working as a cashier or as an animal care-giver? Working at the register (while perhaps required by some stores) really isn't going to count as animal experience in my opinion. If you're working with the animals being sold (even cleaning cages or feeding) that should certainly count as animal experience.

Remember, though, that many smaller, local pet stores purchase their animals (specifically puppies and kittens) from puppy mills or "backyard breeders" and this is certainly an issue in the world of veterinary medicine that your interviewers will almost definitely bring up with you.

If there's absolutely nothing else, you should go for what will get you the experience. Just a thought, but I know Petsmart has a hospital associated with it (Banfield) that may be better for animal experience/on your application. Something to look into, anyway!

 

[nyanko]

I'm not normally a rah rah person, but sometimes it just has to be said!

wow, thanks! I appreciate the comment. You interviewed or are interviewing at UCD, right?

It's funny because I've often thought that if schools saw my posts here then they probably wouldn't touch me with a rabies pole or tranq dart.

 

[StartingoverVet]

wow, thanks! I appreciate the comment. You interviewed or are interviewing at UCD, right?

Yes, I have the very last interview time slot at UCD (3/12 4pm)!

 

[mas185]

I am applying for 2011 admission, and planning on attaining as much animal-related experience along with volunteer work and vet-related experience as possible over the next year..

So my questions is this: If nothing better can be found, would working at a petshop be considered as legitimate animal-related experience by most universities (or AVC which is where i plan to apply) ?

When I was in high school my main job was working at our privately owned town pet shop. I learned an immense amount of information about nutrition, health care products, grooming, etc. And we did sell some small animals (rabbits, gp, hamsters, gerbils, parakeets etc.) whose care I was responsible for.

I'd say it definitely helped me. But it wasn't my only animal experience. A lot of apps have you differentiate between vet experience, animal experience, etc. so as long it's not the only thing listed its a good option that at least pays. (FYI I'm going to Dublin for Vet School in the Fall, I had 3 out of 7 interviews and am still waiting to hear from 2 schools, but I've decided to go to UCD no matter what)