THE SAN FRANCISCO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
1 Zoo Road
San Francisco, CA 94132-1098
(415) 753-7068
Fax (415) 681-2039
Volunteer Opportunities
If you have a sincere interest in animals and their conservation, enjoy working
with people, and are enthusiastic and dependable, volunteering at the San
Francisco Zoo may be just what you're looking for. As a volunteer, you will receive
on-the-job training from staff and other volunteers in the project area you choose. Many
programs have both weekend and weekday openings. Volunteer opportunities exist
in the following project areas.
Animal Resource Center
ARC volunteers are offered training in the care of more than 40 species of mammals, birds,
reptiles, and ampibians. These animals are used in conjunction with the Zoo's education
programs. The ARC has no weekend shifts for adult volunteers. September through mid-June.
Volunteers 18 and over and must be available one full day per week.
Avian Conservation Programs
Volunteers help the keepers to observe and record behaviors, prepare diets, maintain
and enhance exhibits, plantings and service areas. Volunteers 16 and over must be available
one half-day or one full day per week.
Children's Zoo
Volunteers receive training in stock care, grooming, diet preparation, public education, and parrot
handling. Opportunities to assist staff with animal husbandry, exhibit care and maintenance
projects are also provided. The work is physical but fun and takes place primarily outdoors. Volunteers
16 and older must be available one full day per week.
Special Events
Volunteers who can't commit to a weekly volunteer project can help with special fundraising and
membership events. Volunteers 18 and over have assignments that vary and usually require
a two to four hour shift once a month.
Zoo Offices
Departments such a Adopt-an-Animal, Events, Graphics, Membership, and Development often need
clerical help. Volunteers do filing, computer input, collating a variety of other office activities as needed.
Volunteers 18 and over must be available one half day per week.
Docent Program
Docents lead guided tours of the Zoo, answer visitor questions, assist with children's classes and
participate in many other educational activities. Orientation for this program is in November. Volunteers
18 and over must complete a 15-week training class that begins in January. Call (415) 753-7073 to get on
the mailing list.
Insect Zoo
A unique opportunity for those with an interest in entomology or simply a fascination with insects and other
arthropods. Volunteers assist with the diet preparation, exhibit maintenance, animal handling,
and public education, as well as maintenance of the Insect Zoo's greenhouse. Volunteers 18 and
over must be available one full day per week.
Nature Trail
Young people interested in animals and teamwork can volunteer for the Nature Trail summer program.
Volunteers are trained to handle a variety of animals and answer visitor questions while occupying
stations along a wooded trail in the Children's Zoo. Volunteers aged 12 to 16 attend an orientation in
March and are selected by lottery. They must attend two training sessions and be available two full days
per week during the summer months. Call (415) 753-7068 to get on the mailing list.
Sign Up Now! Call us at (415) 753-7068 to find out the date of the next orientation.
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