Job Highlight: Zoo Keepers

Becoming a veterinary assistant can open the doors to a world of exciting career opportunities, many of which can bring you up close and personal with rare and exotic wildlife such as lions, tigers and bears. If you have always dreamed of working in such an environment, a zoo keeper position may be the right job for you.

From assisting the veterinarian with routine exams to cleaning cages, zoo keepers have the unique opportunity to perform a wide range of vet assistant duties that focus on creating a healthy environment for the animals in the zoo. When it comes to vet assistant duties, a zoo keeper supports the veterinarian during routine and emergency exams. The vet assistant tasks of the zoo keeper may also include minor veterinary health care procedures such as monitoring diet, preparing food and feeding. Thus, becoming a certified, professional veterinary assistant through ABC Veterinary Assistant School goes a long way in providing the education needed to perform many of the veterinary assistant tasks required to land a job as a zoo keeper.

Zoo keepers are also responsible for maintaining a clean environment for the animals. Day-to-day duties include cleaning animal habitats, exhibits, cages and holding facilities by sweeping, hosing and washing. Zoo keepers also clean the surrounding areas such as floors and sidewalks, remove waste and litter, clean ponds, trim vegetation and mow grass. Although, these specific vet assistant duties are unique to the zoo keeper occupation, basic cleaning and maintenance of animal enclosures are skills that can be acquired at typical veterinary assistant schools.

Standard qualification requirements for zoo keepers include high school diploma or equivalent degree, six months to one year experience in animal care, a valid driver's license and basic computer skills. Applicants must be able to walk long distances, stand for long periods of time, travel, lift and move animals.

Few animal jobs get you so close to such a wide range of wildlife. Depending on the zoo, keepers have the opportunity to work with a broad group of animals such as mammals, birds and reptiles, or they may work with a focus group such as primates, large cats or small mammals. Take the first step towards this exciting career and contact ABC today!