Volunteer

• Support |
• Membership |
• Volunteer |
• Adopt-An-Animal |
• Donate |
• Travel

Volunteer at the Zoo!

Thank you for your interest in the Birmingham Zoo’s volunteer program!

The Birmingham Zoo is seeking adult and teen volunteers who have a love and respect for animals and a passion for serving the visitors at the Zoo. Our volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and skills to the Zoo operations. Of course, no prior experience is necessary; we will teach you what you need to know! Whether you have just a few hours to spare each month, or are looking for a new avenue in life, there is a home for you at the Birmingham Zoo.

Are you a current or prospective Birmingham Zoo volunteer? Visit our Volunteer Information Center to access your personal account and sign up for events in advance.

 

Getting Started

Adults - (Must be at least 18 years of age and not currently a high school student)

Basic Requirement:

Must be able to offer a minimum of 48 volunteer hours each year.

Application Process - Applications are accepted year round
Click here for an online application

1. Submit an online application and pay the $10 application fee online with a credit or debit card.

2. After your application submission, you will receive a response email. Please follow the directions provided within the email to schedule your orientation.

3. An orientation must be completed before you may become an official volunteer. Orientations are offered year-round.

What to Bring to Your Orientation:

1. $35 for the volunteer orientation and training fee. This payment will help fund your background check, orientation packet, and continuous training courses.

2. Upon completion of your orientation, you will receive one FREE official volunteer t-shirt. If you would like to purchase more t-shirts, please bring $10 for each additional purchase. ( We accept checks and cash only for t-shirts. If you pay with cash, please have the exact amount prepared.)

3. Your driver’s license for your background check. Background checks will take one week to complete following your orientation. You may begin volunteering after the clearance of your background check.

4. Your love for the Zoo and a big smile!

 

Teens - (13 to 18 years of age)

Basic Requirements:

Application Process - Applications are accepted year round
Click here for an online application  

1. Submit an online application and pay the $10 application fee online with a credit or debit card. You must currently be at least 13 years of age to submit an application. No one under 13 years of age may apply.

2. You will receive a response email following the submission of your online application. Please follow the directions provided within the email to schedule your orientation.

3. An orientation must be completed before you may become an official volunteer. Orientations are offered year-round.

What to Bring to Your Orientation:

1. All Required Paperwork:
   
   Age Verification Paperwork - May include a copy of the prospective volunteer’s birth certificate, a certified school letter stating the prospective volunteer’s age, a copy of their driver’s permit/license, a copy of their passport, or other official documentation that clearly states the prospective volunteer’s age.
   
   300 word essay – “Why I want to be a Zoo volunteer.”
   
   At least 2 references – Click here for a Teen Volunteer Reference Form.

2. $35 for the volunteer orientation and training fee. This payment will help fund your orientation packet, Teen Training Day, and continuous training courses.

3. Upon completion of your orientation, you will receive one FREE official volunteer t-shirt. If you would like to purchase more t-shirts, please bring $10 for each additional purchase. ( We accept checks and cash only for t-shirts. If you pay with cash, please have the exact amount prepared.)

4. One of your parents or legal guardians must attend to fill out paperwork.

5. Your love for the Zoo and a big smile!

Adult and Teen Volunteer Opportunities

Adult and teen volunteers are not required to choose a category once they begin volunteering. You are welcome to volunteer within as many of the categories listed below as you would like.

 

Education – Assist with summer and school break camps, year-round classes, animal programs, and much more as you educate and entertain some of the tens of thousands of students who visit the Zoo annually.

Animal Husbandry – Work side-by-side with zookeepers maintaining exhibits, or preparing diets for many of the roughly 800 animals that call the Birmingham Zoo their home. Some of the areas available to adults include, the African Savanna, Bird Department, Animal Nutrition Center, and Barn Crew. Teens may earn the right to volunteer on the Barn Crew.

Animal Handlers – You will have the opportunity to become a certified handler on animals that may include chinchillas, macaws, armadillos, and even a young alligator. Animal handlers are taught how to use animal knowledge learned through training, and the animals themselves, to provide our visitors with an experience that only the Birmingham Zoo could offer.

Interpretation – From the giraffe feeding experience, to the lorikeet and butterfly aviaries, the Zoo has a number of ways for you to share your love of animals and wildlife conservation with the public. Volunteers also provide guided tours of the areas that house our large cats, primates, and native wildlife. We even have a large collection of biofacts (pelts, skulls, horns, etc.) that are perfect for giving our visitors a unique hands-on experience.

Special Events – Boo at the Zoo, ZooLight Safari, and Party for the Planet are just a few of the incredibly fun special events at the Birmingham Zoo. Volunteers assist with planning, managing, and staffing the many aspects of the special events that occur throughout the year.

 

 

Adult Only Volunteer Opportunities

Docent – After completing a roughly 50 hour training course, our docents are fully trained on the animals and activities at the Birmingham Zoo, and are highly sought after for some of the most entertaining and demanding tasks. Docents who become animal handlers are also able to handle live animals at events held off of Zoo grounds.

Operations – The Zoo needs YOU to help run our gift shop, with our birthday parties, and to greet the approximately 500,000 visitors that walk through our gates each year.

Teen Only Volunteer Opportunities

Teen Leadership Academy – A select group of teens will be chosen to join this rewarding program. Volunteers within this program will be involved in the supervision of volunteers at major activities such as Summer Camp, Boo at the Zoo, ZooLight Safari, and more. These volunteers will be provided with the opportunity to develop specific managerial skills enabling them to become well prepared for college and the job market. Teens that complete the program may be rewarded with a scholarship and the opportunity to receive college credit through local universities.

Zoofari Teen Program – Teen volunteers who have volunteered at least 48 hours with the Zoo, completed a one day Teen Training course, and have proven themselves to be mature, responsible, and reliable, may be chosen as a Zoofari Teen. Zoofari volunteers are often called upon to perform more difficult tasks that may include, supervising other volunteers, assisting animal keepers with special tasks, and more.

Internships

The Intern Program is designed to give college students and recent graduates, who are 18 years of age or older, the opportunity to have an in-depth, hands-on experience working in the zoo profession with animal husbandry. This internship program offers interns the opportunity to learn more about Zoos, animal care, and the chance to obtain some entry-level experience.