Program Start Dates
- March 6, 2024
- June 5, 2024
- July 10, 2024
- September 11, 2024
- November 6, 2024
Attendance Calendar
Quarters begin during June, September, November, and March. There may be additional or alternate start dates due to demand or other circumstances. Though not required as a participating student; the Wildlife Center may request pre-scheduled attendance due to an animal or other emergency or concern, the Wildlife Center will or may be open to students during any 24-hour day; any day of the year. At times, homework assignments are heavy and access to a computer and the internet is a necessity. Students are frequently scheduled to begin their days in the fall, summer, and spring at 7:30 a.m. Winter hours vary depending on the weather. The school is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission Requirements
All persons applying for admission to the Cat Tales Wildlife Academy must be a minimum of 18 years of age and be a high school graduate Students must possess a High School Diploma with a GPA of 2.5 or greater, a General Education Development (GED) Diploma, or pass a graded entrance exam.
All applicants must demonstrate freedom from physical handicaps which would affect their ability to safely and satisfactorily perform the responsibilities required of all Wildlife Academy students. This includes, but not limited to, being able to lift 30 pounds and have visual acuity and manual dexterity to maintain safety and prevent physical danger while on school grounds. Students must provide proof of a recent physical examination, tetanus shot and tuberculosis test.
Cat Tales Wildlife Academy encourages diversity and accepts applications from all minorities. Cat Tales Wildlife Academy does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability. Cat Tales Wildlife Academy acknowledges that information pertaining an applicant’s disability is voluntary and confidential and will be made on an individual basis. If this information is presented, Cat Tales Wildlife Academy will reasonably attempt to provide an accommodation to overcome the effects of the limitation of the qualified applicant. All inquiries about accommodations should be made to the admissions administrator upon registration of the program, some programs require medical documentation because of the rigors of curriculum.
Please Note – It is important that all applicants, prospective students, and those with disabilities; thoroughly read the entire catalog/website, the full description of training and the work environment. Cat Tales Wildlife Center and Academy houses inherently dangerous animals and the students will be working in the proximity of these animals. Though we have STRICT safety rules in place, we do reserve the right to restrict access to areas of the Zoo to any student whom we feel could pose a risk of injury or death to themselves, the animals, or others, whether intentional or not. Any such restriction could affect a student’s ability to benefit from the program as presented. Refer to Conduct Requirements.
Any applicant owning personal pets must provide proof of current health certificate and shot records for each pet currently living with that applicant. (At no time will personal pets be allowed on the park grounds). For safety reasons the use of guide dogs and service animals is restricted.