So You Wanna Work at Petco, Eh? Age Ain't Nothing But a Number (Unless It's 18)
Ah, the allure of Petco. A symphony of squeaks, chirps, and the happy sighs of well-fed reptiles. Visions of fluffy dog beds and mountains of kitty kibble dance in your head. But before you can become the Willy Wonka of the goldfish aisle, there's a tiny hurdle: age.
The Big 1-8: The Gatekeeper of Petco
Let's face it, wrangling a runaway hamster or explaining the finer points of iguana heating pads requires a certain level of, well, maturity. Petco, in its infinite wisdom (and probably to avoid explaining poop-eating habits to teenagers), has set 18 as the minimum age requirement.**
But Wait! There's More! (Except There Really Isn't)
While 18 is the national standard, there's a chance some super chill, super desperate (or maybe both!) store managers might consider a highly qualified 16-year-old with a lifetime supply of chinchilla grooming tips. But that's a gamble on par with letting your ferret loose in the sock drawer.
So You're Under 18? Don't Despair, Grasshopper!
The pet industry is vast! Here are some pawsome alternatives to consider:
- Volunteer at a shelter: Earn your cuddle cred while helping animals in need.
- Offer pet-sitting services: Become the neighborhood's go-to goldfish feeder and belly rub extraordinaire.
- Intern at a vet clinic: Witness the magic of animal medicine firsthand (and maybe learn how to handle that aforementioned poop-eating!).
The Future is Bright (and Full of Furry Friends!)
Remember, even if you can't walk the aisles in a Petco uniform just yet, there are plenty of ways to get your paws dirty (in a good way!) in the wonderful world of animals. Use your younger years to gain experience and knowledge. By the time you hit 18, you'll be a pet pro and ready to take Petco by storm!
(Unless, of course, they raise the minimum age requirement to 21. Then we riot. Just kidding... mostly.)
