I may have found what I was meant to do with my life.

The only thing stopping me from applying to a zoo is I live in a sleepy little town and the closest one is about an hour away in Evansville, IN. I've visted many times and it's a very nice facility.

Garnered from the Internetz:

http://www.bls.gov/k12/nature01.htm

What is this job like?
Many people like animals, but taking care of them is hard work. Zookeepers take care of wild animals in zoos and animal parks. They feed the animals, clean their living spaces, and work to keep them healthy.

Zookeepers watch the animals to see if they are sick or hurt. Keepers need to watch and listen carefully to notice any changes in behavior. Keepers write detailed notes about each animal and tell a veterinarian if there is a problem.

Some keepers give the animals objects to play with and explore. Many animals like playing with logs, sandboxes, and even water sprinklers. Keepers often hide food for the animals to find. Playing with food and toys helps animals stay active.

Sometimes, keepers train the animals to make caring for them easier. For example, keepers train elephants to lift their feet so that veterinarians can check them.

Teaching people about animals is another keeper task. Keepers answer people's questions and give presentations.

People who like animals often like working with them. Keepers like getting to know the animals. They also like helping with research. And they like learning how to help endangered animals in the wild.

But zookeeping can be a dirty job. Keepers have to clean exhibit areas. Many keepers work outside in rain, heat, and all sorts of other weather. They sometimes carry heavy containers of food. And because animals eat every day, most keepers work on weekends and holidays.

Zoo work can also be dangerous. Wild animals can bite, kick, scratch, or spread disease. Keepers almost never pet the animals.

How do you get ready?
Many keepers go to college for 2 or 4 years. They often study biology, animal science, or some other science. Keepers also need to understand math so that they can measure food properly. Keepers need good writing and speaking skills so that they can take notes and talk to the public.

Keepers need experience caring for animals. Before working at a zoo, many keepers work in veterinary offices, animal shelters, or farms. In those jobs, they clean animal cages and feed, watch, and care for animals.

Experience in a zoo is also good. Many keepers start as zoo volunteers.

How much does this job pay?
In May 2008, animal caretakers had average yearly wages of $21,550.

How many jobs are there?
In 2008, there were about 220,400 animal care and service workers. A very small number of these worked as zookeepers.

What about the future? Employment of animal care and service workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. But jobs as zookeepers are expected to grow more slowly than other animal care jobs.

Jobs for zookeepers are harder to find than other kinds of animal jobs because there are relatively few zoos. Plus, many people want zoo jobs so there is very strong competition for the work.

Might I suggest starting out by volunteering at your local animal shelter? You would get some experience in taking care of a large amount of animals at once, and I know that animal shelters are always grateful for more volunteers (I used to volunteer at the one nearby before I moved, almost all of the work was done exclusively by volunteers, we just needed an introductory class to teach us the layout of the shelter, dos and don'ts, etc). It can't hurt to contact your shelter to see if they could use a little extra help.

Go to school and get a generalized biology degree....you can go anywheres pretty much with that. Then decide what way you want to go further. That's what ill do if nursing ends up not for me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

Thanks to everyone for all the good advice. I've been doing lots of research, and i think i'm gonna try and get the ball rolling for going to college to study biology in the near future. And as for now, next time i take one of my pets to the vet, i'll ask if theres a volunteer program available at their office or the local shelter. I've got my fingers crossed that this is the right path for me and i'll find what i'm looking for. :)

I meant to post here last night but forgot.

Look at http://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo/ the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. This is where they teach you to be a keeper. It is AZA accredited.

It is in my town and I went for almost a semester but I learned very quickly that it wasn't what I wanted to do. It is a great program, but as a keeper, you are working long hours, crummy pay, and not much time with your animals. I decided to get a 9-5 M-F job that pays well so I can have my animals as a hobby. I like it better this way.

Good Luck! I got my BA in English and now I am working for the University of Florida in the College of Pharmacy doing fiscal work... And I kinda like it. You never know what you are going to be doing!