Animal Care Volunteers

Animals are the reason more than 297,000 visitors come to Zoo Boise every year. Animal Care volunteers assist the Animal Care staff in creating a comfortable home for the animals and beautiful exhibits for visitors to see.

Animal Care Duties
Volunteers assist Animal Care staff with exhibit maintenance (includes removing feces and dirty bedding from exhibits, cleaning exhibit glass), diet preparation and feeding of some animals, animal observations, and preparing animal enrichments. Positions are available in the Small Animal Kingdom, Penguin/Primates, Small Carnivores, and Hoofed Mammals. Due to the danger involved, volunteers do not work in enclosures of large carnivores, large hoofed mammals, or inside primate enclosures. Animal Care volunteers should be in good physical condition, be able to lift 50 lbs., and be willing to get dirty!

Time Commitment
4 hour shifts are available in mornings and afternoons. Minimum 4 hours per week commitment for one year, with the exception of Hoofed Mammals where time requirements vary by season and are usually 2 hour shifts per day.

Days Available
Any day of the week depending on Animal Care staff needs.

Training
If accepted as a Zoo Boise volunteer, an initial Zoo Boise training class is required prior to beginning animal care volunteer service; successful completion of an on-the-job training & introductory period of 24 hours is also required before full acceptance into the animal care volunteer position.

• Training option 1: April 5 and April 12, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
• Training option 2: April 26 and May 3, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
  

Fees
$35.00 training, manual, and uniform t-shirt fee (non-refundable).

Age Requirement
Minimum age for participation is 18.  If you are under the age of 18, please see Special Event, Community Service Group Projects, or the ZooTeen volunteer opportunities.

Application
Click here for an Animal Care Volunteer application or contact 384-4260 ext 102.   Acceptance into the program is based on quality of the application and interview.  Applications must be postmarked by February 29.  Mail or bring applications to Zoo Boise’s entrance at:


Applications by email or fax will not be accepted.  Interviews will be conducted in March.

Return to Volunteer Homepage.