Career as a zookeeper or working at an animal sanctuary??

Im starting to look at colleges and im not really sure what courses are needed. I would love to work with big cats(lions,tigers,janguars ect.) I know that i need to take zoology but im not really sure if there are any "special" courses i should take that would help me in my future career. If anybody could tell me what courses i should take i would be greatful. Also im having a hard time finding just the right college. I live in upstate New York if anybody could suggest any colleges that would help too.

Career as a zookeeper or working at an animal sanctuary??
Not a zookepper, but I hope the info helps. Good Luck.





Courses: (also look at the college catalogs, see what's required for the degree)


Zoology, of course. speech, wildlife management, conservation biology, animal behavior, animal science, marine biology, veterinary medicine, biology, psychology...





If you're not, start getting hands-on experience now. Volunteer at a zoo, wildlife rehab, vet clinic, animal shelter....


for some more ideas see http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_f...


How do I become an animal keeper?


What are some other ways to gain animal experience?





One college I'd recommend is Moorpark College and their Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Program. It was were I was planning on starting off at when I was looking at colleges.


http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/~eatm/faq...


http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets...


http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/catalog/s... (104)





http://www.wonderferret.com/zooed/


*http://www.sunyjefferson.edu/amg/index.h...


*http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/lsd/animal...


*http://www.canisius.edu/biopsych/zoobio/


*http://www.oswego.edu/academics/colleges...





http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_f...


Where can I get a “Zoo” Degree?





There are three associates degree programs in the nation designed to teach students to be professional animal keepers or trainers:


Moorpark College, Moorpark, California


Pensacola Junior College, Pensacola, Florida


Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Florida





Many keepers are registered veterinary technicians (RVT), having completed an animal health technician program at schools that include:


Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs, Colorado


Pierce College, Woodland Hills, California


Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut


San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, California





Bachelors degrees in zoo science are offered at:


Friends University, Wichita, Kansas


Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan





Your favorite search engine can help you find more information on schools that offer animal-related topics and degrees. Good luck!





http://www.princetonreview.com/college/r...








Also see about doing an intern; before, during, and/or after college. Some internships:


http://www.bigcatrescue.org/internship.h...


http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/general_...


http://www.tigercreek.org/intern_pgm.htm...


http://www.oregonzoo.org/Intern/internsh...


http://www.bigcat.org/education/pages/in...


http://www2.philadelphiazoo.org/getdoc/1...


http://peaceriverrefuge.org/Animal_Inter...


http://www.mnzoo.com/global/Internships/...


http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=101





Zookepper info:


http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/profi...


http://www.aazk.org/zoo_career.php


http://www.aza.org/ForEveryone/Careers/


http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos168.htm


http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=...
Reply:I suggest a biology major with emphasis on animal physiology and animal behavior. You need to look for a college that has a veterinary medicine program.
Reply:Yeah, probably some courses in veterinary medicine would be beneficial, and maybe some courses in ecology wouldn't hurt!
Reply:VET :D
Reply:Some universities/colleges have Zoology programs. For example, I know University of Western Ontario (in canada) does. So finding a bigger school which has more specialized programs would be a good idea.


More importantly, make connections. Talk to professors, work as research assistants or volunteer if you can afford to not get paid. And email zoos to try to get summer jobs. I emailed the Toronto Zoo on a whim and ended up working there for one summer.


Good luck.