CALENDAR
Quarters begin during mid to late 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 Zoo may request pre-scheduled attendance due to an animal or other emergency or concern, the Zoo 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 is a necessity. Students are frequently scheduled to begin their days in the fall, summer and spring at 7:30a.m. Winter hours vary depending on the weather. Weekly indoor or outdoor classes continue on throughout the year. The school is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Each quarter consists of 480 practical clock hours broken down into 12 weeks of 40 hours per week. Students will be required to be on the zoo grounds for a maximum of (10) ten hours per day. Employment or opposing work schedules are not recommended as they may interfere with progress in the program. Students will receive one week off each quarter (either during or between quarters). The scheduling of such time off must be approved by the instructors. Also, other time off for special circumstances may be arranged at the discretion of the instructors and will be considered on an “as needed” basis. Clock hours must be kept current regardless of time off granted. 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 Zoo duties will result in no grade given and dismissal from the program. Unless specified, without written notice, the dismissal date will be as described in the “Official Termination Date” section.
CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS
As a student of the Cat Tales Zoological Training Center, you will be expected to meet the requirements of the program. These include classroom hours as well as Park duty and Outreach involvement. The program 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 emphasis placed on safety. All safety rules must be strictly observed. While the Cat Tales Zoological Training Center 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. A student violating safety procedures and regulations, who fails to make satisfactory progress, interferes with other students’ work, is insubordinate, boisterous, vulgar or obscene, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or does not make timely tuition payments is subject to immediate termination 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.
Nothing in the policy prevents the student from contacting the Workforce Board at 360-709-4600 at any time with a concern or complaint.
GRADING SYSTEM
Cat Tales Zoological Training Center has established a grading system to ensure that the students graduated will have developed the skills needed to succeed in their chosen field. During the program, students are evaluated for vocational quality and efficiency. Grades are based on practical skills, teamwork, attendance and assignments. Students must maintain at least a 75 percent average to advance to the next quarter. Students are evaluated daily, reviewed for practical skill advancement monthly, and graded quarterly on performance and attendance.
A test may be administered after each lesson to determine the amount of learning that has taken place. Test scores that are below 75 percent are an indication that the necessary skills for entry into employment were not acquired. Administration may provide progress reports at predetermined intervals in the program. Students should make arrangements for additional practice, independent study, or tutoring, if needed. Grades and/or assessments will be provided to the students on a weekly basis with a final report and transcript provided at the completion of the program if the student is in good status. Other methods of evaluation may include oral quizzes, skill development tests, hands-on skill evaluation, and individual and group projects.
A student who fails a course in the program 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.
PROGRAM COMPLETION AND GRADUATION
Students successfully completing a minimum of four required quarters / courses in the major, will receive a certificate of achievement.
STUDENT'S RECORDS AND GRADES ON FILE
Student records will be maintained by the school for 50 years or until the school closes. If the school closes, records may be forwarded to the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Upon graduation, each student will be given a copy of his or her transcript. These records should be maintained indefinitely by the student. Students may request copies by writing the school. Student records are available for review by the student at any time.
OFFICIAL TERMINATION DATE
The official date of termination of a student shall be the last date of recorded attendance when withdrawal occurs in any of the following manners:
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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Quarters begin during mid to late 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 Zoo may request pre-scheduled attendance due to an animal or other emergency or concern, the Zoo 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 is a necessity. Students are frequently scheduled to begin their days in the fall, summer and spring at 7:30a.m. Winter hours vary depending on the weather. Weekly indoor or outdoor classes continue on throughout the year. The school is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Each quarter consists of 480 practical clock hours broken down into 12 weeks of 40 hours per week. Students will be required to be on the zoo grounds for a maximum of (10) ten hours per day. Employment or opposing work schedules are not recommended as they may interfere with progress in the program. Students will receive one week off each quarter (either during or between quarters). The scheduling of such time off must be approved by the instructors. Also, other time off for special circumstances may be arranged at the discretion of the instructors and will be considered on an “as needed” basis. Clock hours must be kept current regardless of time off granted. 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 Zoo duties will result in no grade given and dismissal from the program. Unless specified, without written notice, the dismissal date will be as described in the “Official Termination Date” section.
CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS
As a student of the Cat Tales Zoological Training Center, you will be expected to meet the requirements of the program. These include classroom hours as well as Park duty and Outreach involvement. The program 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 emphasis placed on safety. All safety rules must be strictly observed. While the Cat Tales Zoological Training Center 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. A student violating safety procedures and regulations, who fails to make satisfactory progress, interferes with other students’ work, is insubordinate, boisterous, vulgar or obscene, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or does not make timely tuition payments is subject to immediate termination 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.
Nothing in the policy prevents the student from contacting the Workforce Board at 360-709-4600 at any time with a concern or complaint.
GRADING SYSTEM
Cat Tales Zoological Training Center has established a grading system to ensure that the students graduated will have developed the skills needed to succeed in their chosen field. During the program, students are evaluated for vocational quality and efficiency. Grades are based on practical skills, teamwork, attendance and assignments. Students must maintain at least a 75 percent average to advance to the next quarter. Students are evaluated daily, reviewed for practical skill advancement monthly, and graded quarterly on performance and attendance.
A test may be administered after each lesson to determine the amount of learning that has taken place. Test scores that are below 75 percent are an indication that the necessary skills for entry into employment were not acquired. Administration may provide progress reports at predetermined intervals in the program. Students should make arrangements for additional practice, independent study, or tutoring, if needed. Grades and/or assessments will be provided to the students on a weekly basis with a final report and transcript provided at the completion of the program if the student is in good status. Other methods of evaluation may include oral quizzes, skill development tests, hands-on skill evaluation, and individual and group projects.
A student who fails a course in the program 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.
PROGRAM COMPLETION AND GRADUATION
Students successfully completing a minimum of four required quarters / courses in the major, will receive a certificate of achievement.
STUDENT'S RECORDS AND GRADES ON FILE
Student records will be maintained by the school for 50 years or until the school closes. If the school closes, records may be forwarded to the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Upon graduation, each student will be given a copy of his or her transcript. These records should be maintained indefinitely by the student. Students may request copies by writing the school. Student records are available for review by the student at any time.
OFFICIAL TERMINATION DATE
The official date of termination of a student shall be the last date of recorded attendance when withdrawal occurs in any of the following manners:
- When the school receives written notice of the student's intention to discontinue training.
- When the student is terminated for a violation of a published school policy which provides for termination.
- When a student, without notice to the institution, fails to attend classes for 30 calendar days.
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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Zoo Keeper I - (Entry level)
- Zoo Keeper II – (Lead or Senior Keeper) - (requires completion of ZTC 104 with honors)
- Animal Care Professional with Large Carnivore Experience
- Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Wildlife / Conservation Educator
- Zoo Registrar, with Zoological background