"I thank Cat Tales for allowing me to have such a wonderful career!"

- Elena Bauske Khalar

---

Download School Catalog

Enrollment Application

---

Professional Zookeeper Program

​

PROFESSIONAL ZOOKEEPER PROGRAM
The Professional Zookeeper Program consists of 48 weeks at 40 hours a week, and is set up as a system of two semesters (two quarters each). Each quarter containing 12 weeks.  The Professional Zookeeper Program is broken down into two, six month courses: 

​ZTC 102 - Introduction to Zookeeping and Zoo Public Relations and 
ZTC 104 – Leadership in Zookeeping and Small Zoo Management.

Nineteen hundred and twenty hours (1,920) are required in whole to complete the Professional Zookeeper Program and acquire a Certificate of Professional Zookeeper. ​​

---

ZTC  102 - INTRODUCTION TO ZOOKEEPING AND ZOO PUBLIC RELATIONS
The ZTC 102 -- Introduction to Zookeeping and Zoo Public Relations course consists of 24 clock-hour weeks at 40 hours per week. It is set up as a system of 2 quarters containing 12 clock-hour weeks per quarter. A minimum of 960 hours is required to complete the ZTC 102 course.

INTRODUCTION TO ZOOKEEPING 
In the ZTC 102 -- Introduction to Zookeeping instruction and applied skills, students will learn through classes and practical internship training, 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.

 
ZOO PUBLIC RELATIONS
In the ZTC 102 -- Zoo Public Relations instruction and applied skills, students will learn through classes and practical internship training, various 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 Zoo grounds.
 
Main subjects are taught through a combination of classes and practical internship training throughout the program. The contents of the main subject classes are updated to provide the current standards of the animal care industry, including rules and regulations. Main subjects may vary slightly as current emphasis fluctuates to meet the educational needs of the students.  Successful completion of all course subjects is required for advancement and/or graduation.

---

ZTC  104 - LEADERSHIP IN ZOOKEEPING AND SMALL ZOO MANAGEMENT
                   Prerequisite ZTC 102, or Equivalent Experience (To be determined by the Review and Acceptance Committee)
 
The ZTC 104 – Leadership in Zookeeping and Small Zoo Management course consists of 24 clock-hour weeks at 40 hours per week. It is set up as a system of 2 quarters containing 12 clock-hour weeks per quarter. A minimum of 960 hours is required to complete the ZTC 104 course.
 
LEADERSHIP IN ZOOKEEPING
In the ZTC 104 - Leadership in Zookeeping instruction and applied skills, students will learn through classes and practical internship training, professional animal care as a Senior Keeper. Classes and practical internship training will review instruction covered in ZTC 102.  Using the animals located at the Park for illustration of technique, students will implement the training of specified animals in operant conditioning in protected and/or free contact.
Other areas of instruction and implementation will include, but are not limited to,

• enrichment,
• field research,
• handling and training for TV, movies and/or outreach,
• neonatal care,
• leash training,
• veterinary science
• and rehabilitation and release.

SMALL ZOO MANAGEMENT
In the ZTC 104 - Small Zoo Management instruction and applied skills, students will learn through classes and practical internship training, aspects of Small Zoo Management including, but not limited to,

• fund raising,
• public education and relations,
• staffing and scheduling,
• volunteer training,
• local, regional and federal regulations, licensing,
• inspections,
• acquisition and disposition of the animal collection,
• advanced record keeping,
• networking,
• inventory,
• ​and emergency protocol.

 
Main subjects are taught through a combination of classes and practical internship training throughout the program. The contents of the main subject classes are updated to provide the current standards of the animal care industry, including rules and regulations. Main subjects may vary slightly as current emphasis fluctuates to meet the educational needs of the students.  Successful completion of all course subjects is required for advancement and/or graduation.

---