Becoming a Zoo Veterinarian?

[kbaker116]

I am currently contemplating different careers and colleges. Has anyone on here thought about becoming a Zoo vet? Also if anyone could provide any further information such as: schooling required, pros and cons, average salary. I was also thinking about zookeeping however I think it would be too easy for me, and would like more of a challenge. Plus with my other plans for the future I don't know if being a zookeeper is practical for me.

 

[zelda]

You'd need to qualify as a vet (5 yrs at a few uni's 6yrs at cambridge) and then get exotics experience, and maybe one of the masters taught by Royal veterinary collage with the institute of biology at london zoo. I think a lot of people go and work abroad to get exotics experience. To get into vet college you need at least AAB at A-level and plenty of work experience in different types of vet practices. You earn a fair bit as a vet, but a lot less I'd imagine working for a zoo as they're charities. Of course only the big zoos have their own vets, others use normal local practices with exotic experience. Plus there are now more and more people keeping exotics as pets so other practices away from zoos do specialise.

The london zoo website has quite a lot of information about being a zoo vet and Paignton Zoo do junior vet experience days each easter and an older how to get into vet school and what is it like event with the Royal veterinary college. You could also write to the vets themselves for more info about what it entails or to ask for work experience.

I think you'd have to want to be a vet more then want to work in a zoo as it's a lot of years of study before you could get near to it. Many hours spent with your hands up a cows bum.

 

[Zooplantman]

I am currently contemplating different careers and colleges. Has anyone on here thought about becoming a Zoo vet? Also if anyone could provide any further information such as: schooling required, pros and cons, average salary. I was also thinking about zookeeping however I think it would be too easy for me, and would like more of a challenge. Plus with my other plans for the future I don't know if being a zookeeper is practical for me.

You might like this:
This vet knows when to pat the trunk | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com

 

[AshleyZoo]

Cincinnati Zoo offers zoo vet internships. I was a keeper intern a few years ago and there was a girl doing the vet one living in the intern house. She loved it and got to observe and assist on many checks and procedures.

 

[kbaker116]

I was a little worried I wouldn't get any responses but thanks for posting everyone! Michigan State has the Potter Park Zoo right next to it however Ohio State has Columbus those are some of my top choices. I would think if I were to become a veterinarian I would be with a private practice and also care for the animals in a zoo that couldn't afford a full time vet. I do love the zoo work environment any other ideas for a career?

@Zelda: Thank you for your informative post. Since I live in the United States would you by chance have the qualifications to be a zoo vet here?

@Zooplantman: Very interesting article. From what was described that's exactly what I would enjoy. Just of course what makes me second guess my choice is the amount of schooling that is required.

@AshleyZoo: Do you know of any other zoo's that offer internships like this?

Thanks,
Kbaker

 

[Zooplantman]

Why not give one a call and talk it through? That'll raise issues and opportunities you and we wouldn't think of.
If you need names and contact info, PM me

 

[Shoebill]

@Zelda: Thank you for your informative post. Since I live in the United States would you by chance have the qualifications to be a zoo vet here?

@Zooplantman: Very interesting article. From what was described that's exactly what I would enjoy. Just of course what makes me second guess my choice is the amount of schooling that is required.

@AshleyZoo: Do you know of any other zoo's that offer internships like this?

Why don't you stop being so lazy and do the required research yourself.

Getting into vet school is the first hurdle you will face and that itself takes brains, forethought, determination, finance, hard work and independance.

Stop relying on being spoon-fed by others. Have some gumption and get on with the task in hand. You will soon find that zoo vet jobs are some of the hardest to come by. Competition for them is sky-high, some of the most sought after in the veterinary industry.

I am a veterinary surgeon. I know.

 

[Zooplantman]

I do love the zoo work environment any other ideas for a career?

Well, zoos are corporations in a sense so almost any sort of career track may be found there: Administration. Business. Research. Facilities management. Horticulture/Groundskeeping. I.T., Accounting, Guest Services. P.R., Development, Conservation, Biology, Marine biology, Education, Volunteer management, Membership development, ... and on and on

I think you have to focus on what fascinates you enough to sustain your interest in hard times... what sort of income you "require" to do whatever else you want to do... what education/preparation you can afford... and whether you have strong feelings about where you will live.

Someone who really wants zoo work and a growing career had better be prepared to relocate. And not be rich.

 

[kbaker116]

@Shoebill: I am sorry if I appeared lazy to you. AshleyZoo seemed to know about the internships so I was curious if she knew of any other zoos with them. I haven't had much luck researching it myself so I'd thought I might ask. Currently I am reading a few books, contacting a few zoo vets, and just overall researching the occupation. I plan to job shadow a Domestic Animal Veterinarian and also do a zoo internship next summer if everything works out well. If you have any other ideas as far as research I'd be willing to hear them. Thanks!

@Zooplantman: Relocation maybe a little bit harder for me than the low income factor. My parents on the other hand worry about both. Thanks for pointing these careers out to me.