Zookeeper Job Description, Career as a Zookeeper, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

I agree that those that are worried about the luxuries are definately barking up the wrong tree. I have been in this business for a very long time and it is definately not something that you can choose to do because of the salary. This is something that takes a person that is willing to go out in the pouring rain and stand for hours on end while waiting on your animals to shift into their holding pen, someone willing to go out in a blizzard to help move animals in from the weather. You always have to put the animals above your needs. If that is something that you don't think that you could do then I would suggest an comfy office job. If none of that bothers you and you are willing to work for about $24,000 to $28,000 starting off then being a zookeeper has more rewards than anyone could ever explain. Also just because you love your dog or your cat does not mean that you will love being a zookeeper. At some point your going to be bitten, scratched, urinated on, spit on, your hair pulled and the list goes on and on. But if you ask almost any keeper they will smile and say it is just part of the job.

Ive always wanted to work with animals since i was a little girl. And i want to be a zookeeper for monkeys or Elephants. what course/s shall i take when i got to university to become sucsessful at this?

I have worked at an Indiana zoo for two years now. It is lots of hard work. And "loving animals" really isn't enough. You have to be willing to get soaking wet from hosing in every month of the year(hot and cold). You must also be friendly and tolerant every day. Being a zookeeper requires alot of patience. And, although you love the animals, they don't love you as much. You're going to sweat, I guarentee, you'll get dirty, and smelly. It's not glamourous and the pay is crap. I love it, but I wouldn't recommend it. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.

for the person who is trying to decid between a vet and a zookeeper but is struggling because 'luxuries' is an issue...here is my response. the article stated that people become zookeepers because they love animals. simple as that. you either want to work with aniamls in captivity and try to make them happy or you dont. no being a zookeeper is not luxurious. and if you ever thought that then your ignorant. this is one of the few careers that is an actual passion. so if 'luxuries' is your issue it seriously is not for you and you shouldnt waste your time.

i really love animals and would love a job with something to do with animals like a zoo keeper but the thing is, i dont think that the pay would be good enough for the lucturies i would like in life. also the hours are very long and i do like to take time off to see my family and friends. would that be a problem in zookeeping? and what classes should i take in university for the job as a zookeeper?

what are the hours?

And is 30,000 really enough for a year?

i know it takes a lot of your time being a zoo keeper, i really am planning on being one myself...
my question was that do you get any days off at all? or are you working everyday of the year?

i really want to be a zookeeper when i grow up, however i worry that i will not get a good salary and not be able to live life with the luxuries i want! therefore i am now struggling to choose between the life of a zookeeper or vet,,, but i know that zookeepin is something i would enjoy more and prefer to take as my career choice. do you think that zoo keepers get paid a lot,(what is there average salary?) and would u reccomend i go 4 tht job or the job of a vet tht i maybe dnt enjoy as much?

I've had a hard time deciding what to do after high school, but when I came across the idea of being a zookeeper I was immediately in love. I was just wondering what kind of high school classes are good to take before college if you want to go for a bachelor's degree in zoology or animal science. I'm already planning on taking psychology, chemistry, wildlife management, ecology, economy, and advanced biology, but I'm not sure exactly what is practical to take. Any suggestions?

I really think this is the job 4 me now thanks for the info

i want to become a zoo keeper wwwwwwwwoooooooooopppppppppp

How does a zoo keeper use math in this profession?

this id great info for a report thanks

I have always wanted to be a zoo keeper. It's been my dream ever since I can remenber.

Thanks for the stie i am doing a report on this. It helped a lot!

How many hours do you work? thanks

ever since my dog piper died i got 2 other dogs one name is girly and the other spots I love animals my family calls me the Tree Hugger. i luv animals they are the bomb and cute

this site rawks and is beassst! WEEEEEEEEEEEE!

this is exacly what i needed.thanks

This website is awesome! thanks

I have always felt a passion for animals of every sort. I want to work with animals more than anything. Working with animals may be smelly, exhuasting, and dirty, but it's so gratifying! I want to specialize in anything to do with avians, because my heart soars with them when they take flight.

I really want to work with animals and being a zoo keeper sounds like something id like but I'm still not 100% sure wat other careers have to do with working with animals and the full details on them. I hope I can decide wat will work for me.

The passion that I hold with potentially working alongside the world's most exotic and endangered animals runs right down to the core.

I hope to one day work with Big Cats such as cheetah's and wish to become a member of the Cheetah De Wildt Program in Africa.

I am currently a high school volunteer at my zoo and I love it. Working at the zoo is only for certain people. You pick up poop almost continuous, it smells, it is dirty and most of all it is completely satisfying! I can't express how much I want to work at a zoo some day but if you want to be a zoo keeper some day start volunteering. Be a good volunteer and show that you can be trusted, being trusted as a volunteer will help you when you want a job because you will have good references from the keepers you volunteered for and they will want you. Just try your hardest and you can make it, but not with out hard work.

I have wanted to work beside animals as long as i can remember. I have had a dog-sitting and cat-sitting service and i love so many animals. Whenever i go to the zoo with my friends or family i always look at how elegant or graceful all of the animals are. My favorite type of animals would have to be the catagory of large or big cats. I went to the Bronx Zoo over the summer and i got to see a siberian tiger up close and she was so beautiful and i wish i could work with animals like that and others.

I have wanted to be a zookeeper or zoologist for as long as i can remember. It has been my dream and passion to work side by side with animals and dedicate my life to them. This page was incredibly usefull and helped me a lot. It is still hard for me to decide whether to be a zoologist or an elephant conservationist, because elephants are my main passion, but this page of information got me that much closer. Thank you.

I love animals my family calls me the Tree Hugger. I want to be a zookeeper and watch the Penguins and learn more about them. Your page helped me to learn what i need to do to become a zookeeper. Thanks

hey, i want to become a zoo keeper 2 but i want to know what math degrees you need. im great at my biology and english but im low down in the math department:( is math a major requirement for the job? i live on a farm (horses sheep etc) would this give me an advantage because i've worked with animals a lot or not??

I had to do a report on 3 careers, I was interested in. Being a zookeeper was one and this site gave me all the perfect info.

Thanks

I had to do a report on a career I was interested in and this page was perfect for all the zookeeping info. Thanks

i luv animals they are the bomb

and cute

i want to be a zookeeper when i grow up im doing a report on it nice info

this site is the beast thanks so much

Dogs and cats are the best! I'm going to specialize in large cats and wolves and animals related to dogs. Can't wait to learn more.

i like this website it tells me a lot about how to use a computer and a a technology person go computers u are fun!

I love animals this site is amazing iv been looking around for good information for a career in zookeeping and i definatly foud it !

I love animals!!! i want to be a zookeeper... but I didnt relly know what the job was like. This site RAWKS!!!

scine i was 4 year old i have wanted to be a vet. now i have decided to become a zoo keeper and work with the conservation of chimpanzees. i am 14 and currently volentreeing at an animal pound once a week. and volentreeing at a zoo twice a week in the holidays. i love it and i wont give up no matter how hard it is. does anyone know if you need to go through to year 12 to become a zoo kepper though?

I have always loved animals now even more since my dog Piper died three days after Christmas. so now and then I always wanted this job. See ya guys later bye.

I will go to do this job, but I need nore information such as Job Skills, Talents and experience,Typical Day Aptitude. It is a very good website though. I will go into this career. Thank You for your time and have a good day.....:):):):):):):):):)

well the other day i ran over an animal and got out and tryed to save it. Blood was going all over me. so now i want to be a zookeeper.

It takes alot more than a love of animals to succeed in the field. I have worked in the field for 6 years. You really do have to be good at science and have good reasoning skills. It is not just feeding and playing with animals. You have to know when to get them care and you have to deal with fecal matter. It is hard work and alot of times you will be called in during the middle of the night to take care of any situations. The pay is kind of middle of the road. But I will be honest, it is worth it, bt you have to be willing to get dirty and wake up in the night. And competition for the job is fierce. LOng gone are the days where volunteers can work their way to the top. I know people who have been working their way up for 15 years and they are blown out of the water by a 22 year old fresh out of college with a bio or zoology degree. It is really impressive and gives you a better cjance of landing the job if you have a degree, preferably a BS. But whatever you do, good luck. It is a really rewarding job. oh, and yes, biology is an excellent degree for zookeeping. zoology is just a more specific type of biology (animal biology). Oh, and you could really impress you employer by haveing a minor in something like animal science or wildlife management. There are numerous paths for this career. Good Luck!

i think i might be interested in this kind of job now

i love animals

I love animals so much i have 2 dogs and ilove them so much because it is still puppyes and the first one is called girly and spots is that coolor what

iwant to work as a zookeeper

i have been searching for the specific job that is right for me, and i think that this might be the one. i've worked at a zoo before, and i think that it is something that i would love to do for the rest of my life.

being a zookeeper sounds like alot of work! But hey! I love doing alot of work because I LOVE animals! I'll work at any zoo that is in great shape because then i'll know the animals are in great condition!!

I think animals are great and im gonnna be a zookeeper, WEE!

There are different majors that are recommended by different people (Biology and Zoology). Zoology's nice, but there's no college near me that has it. Is Biology still an acceptable degree for zookeeping?

.being a zookeeper seems alot of work but how do you do it?

I would like to be a zoo keeper but I don't know what types of animals I would want to help. If you become a zoo keeper do you get to chose your animals? Please reply by commet not email please. Thank you for your time.

Good honest introductory information!

what are the hours??? reply froggy_M_101@hotmail.com i just need to see the hours then i will probably accept the job!!YAY!!