THIS SCHOOL IS LICENSED UNDER CHAPTER 28C.10 RCW; INQUIRES OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS OR ANY OTHER PRIVATE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL MAY BE MADE TO THE: WASHINGTON WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD, BUILDING 17, AIRDUSTRIAL PARK, P O BOX 43105, OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, 98504-3105 (360/753-5673).
The Zoological Training Center (ZTC) is solely owned and operated by the Cat Tales Zoological Park. All operations and aspects of the school and the Park itself are determined by the Board of Directors and its management committee. Board officers are elected for a one year term. The current list of Officers and Board Members are as follows:
PRESIDENT
Kristine Birdsell
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert Holman
SECRETARY
Jenifer Schaub
TREASURER
Debbie Wyche
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS
Steve Corker
Charlie Rising Sun
Gabe Peak
Allen Birdsell
Mike Wyche
Location of Cat Tales - ZTC
The administration offices of the school are located on the Park grounds:
Cat Tales - Zoological Training Center
17020 N. Newport Hwy
Mead, WA 99021
(509) 238-4126
Ryan Wyche - Instructional Assistant - Exhibit Design Engineer - Senior Keeper - Community Service Supervisor
Jennifer Stamis - Zoo Manager - Senior Keeper
Margaret Hunter - Business Manager
Doug Hoibyr - Resources Manager
Quarters begin in the months of July, October, January, and April. The park operates 24 hours a day everyday of the year. The Park is open to the public during the winter months, Wednesday through Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. The summer hours for the general public are Tuesday through Sunday 10 pm to 6 pm. Outreach program hours vary as per request and availability.
Cat Tales Zoological Park has an excellent reputation with zoological parks and animal facilities throughout the world. While we do not guarantee placement with these facilities, graduates of the Cat Tales - ZTC do receive much greater consideration for employment. Almost all major facilities are seeking persons who have hands on experience with animals. Cat Tales - ZTC is one of the only training facilities which provide such an opportunity to receive hands on training. Combined with your classroom work, you will have a great advantage over most people seeking the same type of employment.
As a student of the Cat Tales - ZTC, you will be expected to meet the requirements of the course. These include classroom hours as well as Park duty and Outreach involvement. The course is designed as an award system providing you with incentives to excel in your studies. Because of the nature of the field of zookeeping, there is a great deal of emphasizes placed on safety. All safety rules must be strictly observed. While the Cat Tales - ZTC is home to some of the most beautiful creatures on earth, the animals at the Park are also the most dangerous. A careless act could result in the serious injury or death to a human or an animal. Any student violating safety procedures will face immediate dismissal from the program. Any student willfully causing harm to, or threatening to cause harm to any animal at the Park will be immediately dismissed from the program and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
TO CAUSE HARM, OR THREATEN TO HARM ANY ANIMAL PROTECTED BY THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IS A FELONY, PUNISHABLE BY A FINE, IMPRISONMENT, OR BOTH.
Each quarter consist of a minimum of 384 classroom and practical clock hours, broken down into 12 weeks of 32 clock hours per week. The course schedule allows for 3 free days per week (not necessarily in succession) during each quarter. Breaks between each quarter will vary depending on the time of year with a minimum of one week between each quarter. Any other absences must be made up prior to the completion of the quarter in which they occurred. Failure to make up missed classes or Park duties will result in no grade given and possible dismissal from the program.
Because the field of Zookeeping, particularly the field of large carnivores, involves not only the survival of the animals you care for but your own survival should you become careless or over confident, the Cat Tales - ZTC has established a high range grade system. This is designed to insure the course graduated will have developed the skills needed to succeed in the industry. A minimum passing grade for all areas of the course is 75%. Students who fail the course will be allowed to repeat the portion(s) of their training one time at a reduced tuition rate of 50% off the original enrollment fee. Should they fail to achieve the required passing grades the second time, they will not be allowed to re enroll in the program.
Students successfully completing a minimum of four required quarters / courses in the major, will receive a certificate of achievement.
The Cat Tales - ZTC is located on a four acre wooded site north of Spokane, Washington in the rural suburb of Mead. The Park is arranged for easy access for the public, providing a walk through pathway in close proximity to the animals habitats. The habitats themselves are designed to be as natural as possible. The staff and students spend the majority of their time outdoors in the Park. This provides the best learning environment for animal observations and hands on experience. Classroom time is held in the main support building which also houses the neo natal nursery area as well as the food preparation area and school reference library. Students are required to purchase their basic personal uniforms, name tags, work packs, and books. All work tools, and related training aids which are germane to the course are furnished by the school.
Class size for each quarter is limited to 20 students. This provides an instructor, students ratio average of 1 to 5.
Currently there is no financial aid offered for this program.
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| * Registration Fee (non refundable) | $ 50.00 |
| * Park Uniform (required) (non refundable) | $ 85.00 |
| * Name Tag (required) (non refundable) | $ 10.00 |
| * Training Kit (required) (non refundable) | $ 75.00 |
| * Books & Classroom Materials (required) (non refundable) | $ 250.00 |
| Tuition per Quarter | $ 1,375.00 |
| Four quarters to complete the program | (4 x $ 1,375.00) = $ 5,500.00 |
TOTAL COST OF THE COMPLETED COURSE |
$ 5,970.00 |
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(1) A full refund of all money paid if the applicant is not accepted by the school;
(2) A full refund of all money paid if the applicant withdraws not later than midnight on the fifth business day (excluding Sundays and holidays) after signing the contract or making an initial payment, providing that the applicant has not commenced training;
(3) After five business days (excluding Sundays and holidays), the school may retain an established registration fee equal to ten percent of the total tuition cost, or one hundred dollars, whichever is less. "Registration fee" refers to any fee, however named, covering those expenses incurred by an institution in processing student applications and establishing a student records system;
The official date of termination of a student shall be the last date of recorded attendance with withdrawal occurs in any of the following manners:
(1) When the school receives notice of the student's intention to discontinue training;
(2) When the student is terminated for a violation of a published school policy which provides for termination;
(3) When a student, without notice to the institution, fails to attend classes for 30 calendar days.
If training is terminated after entering classes, the student is obligated to the school according to the following formulas or maximum charges:
(1) If you terminate during the first week or 10 percent of the contracted instructional time, which ever is less. School may retain 10 percent of tuition cost plus registration fee (equal to 10 percent of the tuition cost, or $100, whichever is less);
(2) If you terminate during the first week or 10 percent of the contracted instructional time, which ever is less but, prior to completion of 25 percent of contracted time , the school may retain 25 percent of the tuition cost and registration fee (equal to 10 percent of the tuition cost, or $100, whichever is less);
(3) If you terminate after completion of 25 percent and up to 50 percent of contracted instructional time, the school may retain 50 percent of the tuition cost and registration fee (equal to 10 percent of the tuition cost, or $100, whichever is less);
(4) If you terminate after 50 percent of the contracted instructional time, the school may retain the full tuition cost and registration fee (equal to 10 percent of the tuition cost, or $100, whichever is less).
All persons applying for admission to the Cat Tales - ZTC must be 18 years of age and be a high school graduate with a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
All applicants must demonstrate freedom from physical handicaps which would affect their ability to safely and satisfactorily perform the responsibilities required of all ZTC students. Students must provide proof of a recent physical examination, tetanus shot and tuberculosis test.
Any applicant owning personal pets must provide proof of current health certificate and shot records for each pet currently living with that applicant. (no pets will be allowed on the park grounds)
NEW STUDENTS
1. Obtain an application from the Cat Tales Zoological Park, N. 17020 Newport Hwy., Mead WA. 99021 or contact us at our facility by dialing (509) 238-4126.(AN APPLICATION MAY ALSO BE DOWNLOADED BY CLICKING HERE)
2. Return application and registration fee of $50.00 to the admissions office, located at the same address as the park.
3. Request and return a copy of your transcripts for both your high school (or a copy of G.E.D. completion) and any previous college(s) attended, to the admissions office.
4. Return three (3) letters of recommendation from employers or teachers for the program, along with transcripts, and application.
5. Submit proof of a recent physical examination, tetanus shot and tuberculosis test.
6. The last step to acceptance is an in person or phone interview that will determine the acceptance or rejection of the applicant. Prior to the personal interview all of the above mentioned items must be on file at the Zoological Training Center. (It is advisable to find out if those things are on file, after mailing them off.)
7. Final notice of your acceptance (or refusal) will be sent to you in letter form. And any specific requirements of applicants will be included.
FORMER STUDENTS
Students re-applying for a course, either missed with an approved extended leave of absence or a non-passing grade in a subject resulting in dismissal, should submit a petition to the program faculty. After the petition for re-entry to the program, or course is submitted the program faculty will notify you, as to approval or denial.
Basic Program
The basic program consists of 48 clock hour weeks at 32 hours per week. It
is set up as a system of 4 quarters containing 12 clock hour weeks, with a
one-week break in between quarters. A minimum of 1,436 hours is required to
complete the program. Each successive quarter will continue to refine and expand
the training of the previous quarter.
Zoo Management - Introduction
The first quarter (first 12 week block) students will learn basic husbandry
and management of zoo animals, using the animals located at the Park for
illustration of technique. This includes, but is not limited to, safety and
emergency protocol, cleaning and maintenance of exhibit and holding areas,
sanitation, nutrition, diet preparation, record keeping, behavior observation,
back-up and lead zookeeping, and various government regulations.
Students will receive training in all aspects of basic zoo operations
including, but not limited to, public relations, fund raising, retail sales,
public education, exhibit and grounds maintenance, construction and
horticulture. This training is accomplished on the Park grounds.
During the first quarter students will also be introduced to educational
outreach programs as space in these programs becomes available.
Main subject classes are held every week through out the program on a
twelve-month rotational basis. (See end of program description for list of Main
Subject Classes). Main subject classes are held in the evening and count toward
the required graduation hours. Successful completion of all course subject
matter is required for advancement.
Zookeeping - Handling and Training
The second quarter emphasizes direct contact with the animals at the park.
Students in the second quarter will refine and expand the training gained in the
previous quarter. Subject course work will continue.
In addition, the second quarter students are assigned an animal(s) housed
and/or exhibited at the Park (assignments concerning animals are based on
previous student performance and grades) in which they
will research species related husbandry and management, and complete daily
behavior, health, nutrition, and training observations.
Selected students who demonstrate outstanding performance in all areas of their course work will be considered for advanced training and handling. At the discretion of the Zoo Director, students will also be assigned to the study, handling, training or exhibiting of their assigned animal(s). All handling or training is done as a back up to the lead handler or trainer for that particular animal(s). Successful completion of all course subject matter is required for advancement.
Zookeeping - Leadership and Professional Skill Building
The emphasis of the third quarter is placed on the lead supervision, handling
and training of animals. One-on-one career placement counseling is also offered
through out the third quarter. Students will proceed to refine and expand the
training of the previous quarters. Subject course work will continue.
In addition, the third quarter students are assigned an animal(s) housed and/or exhibited at the Park (assignments concerning animals are based on previous student performance, grades, and student-animal relationships) in which they are the lead keeper, handler and/or trainer for that particular animal(s). Third quarter students will train and transfer skills to their assigned back up. They may also be assigned to work with production, stage, media and/or promotional animals as back up or lead handlers/trainers.
Zookeeping - Advanced Stages
The last quarter of the program is designed to develop and solidify the advanced
skills of the professional zookeeper. In addition to manual skills, the training
in industry standards of inventory and record keeping of zoo collections, and
other administrative skills will be the main instruction of this quarter.
Studbook and registrar information and practical skills will also be included.
Main Subject Classes
Main subject classes are held every two weeks through out the program on a
nine-month rotational basis. Main subject classes are held in the evening and
count toward the required graduation hours.
At completion of the basic program, the following classes and related
assignments will be covered in detail as they relate to applied zoo biology,
species research, zoo husbandry and management, and zoo animal handling and
reinforcement training. Emphasis is placed on the animals students will be
working with/around, which are housed and/or exhibited at the Park.
The contents of the main subject classes are constantly updated to provide the current standards of the animal care industry, including rules and regulations. Main subject classes may vary slightly as current emphasis fluctuates to meet the educational needs of the students.
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