Animal Keepers | Meet Our Keepers
The Museum employs seven full-time Animal Keepers who care for about 150 animals ranging about 60 species.
We're pleased to be able to introduce you to our talented and dedicated Keepers. Read their words about what it takes to be an Animal Keeper.
An Interview with Erin, Museum Animal Keeper Assistant
How did you get started working with animals?
I've always been interested in animals, so I started volunteering at
the Museum when I was about 13. I've been working there ever since
(they pay me now though!).
What's a funny story that happened on the job?
Just the everyday things kind of add up. Getting to go home saying that
I washed a 1,400 pound steer that drools when he gets baths, brushed a
ferret's teeth, or put suntan lotion on a pig are all kind of
entertaining things that keep the job interesting and fun.
What do you like about your job?
I like how it's always changing. Even if you are doing the same
exhibits every day, the animals change it up so much and make it so
interesting that it's a whole new experience every time you walk in the
door. I like that I get to do things that most people don't, and get
paid for doing it. I also really value my relationships with my
coworkers, and also how I'm not just contributing to a billion dollar
corporation, but doing something worthwhile both to visitors and to the
animals.
What do you hope visitors will get out of their experiences with animals at the Museum?
That they could see how neat our animals are and think about how we
should be protecting and caring for them in the wild, and making every
effort to make their life better, not more difficult. And also I hope
it would make them want to volunteer, we need more produce washers!
What would you tell someone who wants to get a job as an animal Keeper?
Start volunteering to see if you really like it. There is a lot of
labor involved, but there are also a lot of rewards. And there's a
WHOLE lot of poop scooping!
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Read about our volunteer opportunities.