Zookeeper for a Day
Overview
Have you ever wondered what a morning in the life of a zookeeper is like? Are you interested in animals and want to know firsthand how zookeepers give amazing care to the animals at the SF Teaching Zoo?
Sign up for our "Zookeeper for a Day" program to work alongside a zookeeper for a morning and learn the ins and outs of zookeeping.
Who can participate?
This program is available for animal enthusiasts ages 9 and up.
If you are considering applying to the Zoo Animal Technology Program, this is a great opportunity to get a sneak peak of what your experience working here would look like.
Rates
$35 + tax per day
Reservations
Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Please fill out the form below requesting your top three dates. You will receive an email with the confirmed date and information regarding preparations for the program.
Availability
This program is offered certain days from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. At this time, Zookeeper for a Day is limited to one person per day. Please see below for current availability.
Due to special events and the nature of the Zoo Animal Technology Program, there are blocks of time when the program is not available so zookeepers can have proper training and prepare for events. Available dates listed below are subject to change.
- Tuesday, January 21
- Sunday, January 26
- Friday, January 31
- Tuesday, February 4
- Sunday, February 9
- Saturday, February 22
- Sunday, February 23
- Friday, March 7
- Saturday, March 15
- Sunday, March 16
- Wednesday, March 19
- Tuesday, March 25
- Saturday, March 29
- Sunday, March 30
- Friday, April 4
- Tuesday, April 8
- Sunday, April 13
- Friday, April 18
- Tuesday, April 22
- Wednesday, April 30
Frequently Asked Questions
Have additional questions? Please contact us at 352-395-5633 or zoo@sfcollege.edu.
After checking in at the ticket window, participants will be paired with a zookeeper. Participants will help zookeepers with daily care of the animals they are assigned to work with that week. This includes cleaning, feeding, observations and preparing enrichments.
Participants will mainly work alongside zookeepers caring for birds, reptiles and some select mammals. We also have an opportunity to work in our Commissary and help make diets.
* Animals such as cats, primates and otters are unavailable for participants due to their danger potential.
We cannot guarantee which animals participants work with. The zoo environment is very dynamic and unpredictable. The animals' welfare is always our priority. Animal areas are chosen based on their health and temperament that day. If a participant has signed up for the program multiple times, we try to vary which animals they work with.
At this time, Zookeeper for a Day is limited to 1 person per day, so parents are not able to participate in the program. Parents cannot work alongside their children because the animals could become stressed, potentially causing harm to themselves or others if there are too many people in their habitats.
After we open at 9am, parents may purchase a ticket to come into the zoo. As long as the pictures are taken from the guest trails, you may take pictures of your child. Note that not all of the areas are accessible or visible from the trails. Participants may not take photos during their experience.
Our zookeepers work in most conditions, rain or shine. If the weather forecast indicates dangerous weather conditions, we will reach out to reschedule.
Please email or call our Zoo receptionist at 352-395-5633 or email zoo@sfcollege.edu if you have to cancel your reservation. We appreciate as much advanced notice as possible.
For the safety of our animals and zookeepers, some areas of the zoo may require participants to wear a mask or double mask. You may bring your own mask. Disposable masks are available for free at the ticket window, and adult cloth masks are available for purchase.
Thank you for your submission! You should receive a response from the scheduling staff within 72 hours. If you have not received a response after three business days, please call 352-395-5633 for assistance. If you are a potential student and have questions about the program, please email ZooAdvisor@sfcollege.edu.
SF Teaching Zoo Staff