Teaching Zoo Home

Washington's Own Wildlife Academy

Training Zookeepers from the Ground Up - Since 1991

Professional Zookeeper Program - an On-Campus Experience

Licensed career training and work study for today's zookeepers and wildlife caregivers.

2022 Program Start Dates

June 8, 2022 -- September 14, 2022 -- November 2, 2022

Professional Zookeeper Program

Tuition and Fees

Admission and Enrollment

Program Application - Online

Zookeeping & Wildlife Care requires not only classroom study (whether virtual or in-person), but more importantly, the need for practical experience. If you have been researching the vocation of zookeeping as your dream career, you soon realized that you cannot find employment without prior experience.
How do you get the experience to be hired for a position that requires sufficient prior experience?
We have the answer for you!

Imagine spending your days in the presence of the Big Cats and other wildlife, knowing that you are there for them and their future.

Due to changes in the zoological industry over the past 2+ years due to Covid-19 mandates and restrictions, advancements in virtual meetings, webinars, instruction, and the current job market, we have enhanced our format for practical training of employable skills for the benefit of our students.
Internship instruction and implementation will be accomplished incorporating multiple skill levels of students on the Cat Tales Wildlife Center & Academy grounds. Students will be working in conjunction with the current animal population for illustration of technique.
Classroom instruction will be virtual in nature, with a varying format of meetings, webinars, and on-line courses. Applied techniques and practices will be taught in-person when applicable.
For consistency, students of different courses and skill levels may attend and receive practical or virtual instruction concurrently as industry standards and regulations change or are updated.

Over the past 25+ years we have instructed over 300 students in Professional Animal Care & Zookeeping. Having gained employable skills, many of our graduates are currently working internationally, some in upper-level positions within zoological & wildlife / animal care facilities, including AZA & ZAA accredited zoos throughout the US. Cat Tales is known throughout the industry for training hard working dedicated professionals in a structured & skill advancement environment.
Though we do not guarantee your future employment, our staff will do what we can to assist quality skilled graduates in career advancement. (Positions available will be dependent on the requirements of the employers; and the skill level and education of the student/graduate).