What training or qualifications would I need to work in a zoo/animal care?
The most important thing for becoming a zookeeper is to gain experience with animals. Most zoos are more interested in this than in qualifications – I used to be a zookeeper in the UK and got the job without any qualifications other than G.C.S.E.s. Having higher qualifications is no guarantee of getting the job (my boss told me he’s had people come in with degrees who didn’t know which end an elephant craps out of!), and not having them is no guarantee you won’t get the job. Volunteering at a zoo or animal sanctuary is a good way of getting experience – many zoos take on volunteers, and it’s a good way of getting your foot in the door, so to speak, at the particular zoo you’re interested in working at. You won’t get paid, though, of course. Other things that are considered good experience with animals are working on farms and in dog kennels. You also need to be able to work hard, not mind getting dirty (and I mean REALLY dirty!), and deal with people, in the shape of the public – this
