At zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries around the globe, dedicated zoo veterinarians work behind the scenes to ensure the animals in their care are happy and healthy. These highly trained professionals oversee a wide range of tasks and play an important role in animal conservation. So, what does it take to become a zoo veterinarian?
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Ross Vet) has served as a starting point for thousands of veterinarians, many of whom have entered the competitive world of animal care in zoos. Join us to learn how to become a zoo veterinarian and what sets Ross Vet apart from other institutions.
Steps to Becoming a Zoo Veterinarian
Ready to learn how to become a zoo vet? Here’s a guide to the typical route of practitioners in the field:
Educational Requirements
Completing a bachelor’s degree isn’t mandatory for many veterinary programs, but it is highly recommended. In most cases, you’ll need to complete a minimum number of science courses, such as biology, chemistry, and animal sciences. These prerequisite classes can help you build a strong foundation in science and encourage greater success in vet school.
During your undergraduate career, it’s important to maintain a competitive GPA and engage in relevant extracurricular activities to strengthen your vet school application. Shadowing a zoo vet, volunteering at your favorite animal sanctuary, or interning with conservation programs can give you valuable insight into day-to-day operations and familiarize you with animal care across various species.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Degree
The next step to becoming a zoo veterinarian is earning your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited institution like Ross Vet. This journey will begin with seven semesters of classroom learning in St. Kitts, a striking Caribbean destination. During preclinical training, you’ll be exposed to various aspects of animal biology, physiology, and beyond. Through courses like Zoo Animal Medicine and Wildlife Medicine, as well as hands-on lab hours at the Large Animal Teaching Facility, Ross Vet can help you prepare for a career as a zoo veterinarian.
Clinical training takes place in the final three semesters of veterinary school at one of our affiliate institutions in the United States and abroad. Here, you can expand your practical skills under the supervision of highly trained specialists like established zoo veterinarians. You’ll complete 20 weeks of core rotations to gain exposure to various aspects of veterinary medicine. Then, you’ll perform elective rotations and externships to further tailor your educational experience.
Exam and Licensing
After graduation from veterinary school (or during your final year), you’ll be eligible to take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®), which is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine. This challenging assessment contains 360 questions covering all aspects of the field, including care for zoo animals and wildlife species. Upon passing the exam, you can apply for a veterinary license in the state where you plan to practice or complete specialized training.
Internships and Residencies
Not all vets can serve as zoo veterinarians. In order to become a specialized zoo vet, you must complete advanced training to hone your clinical skills and expertise with exotic animals. A one-year internship is often required before residency placement. A program focusing on exotic animals, large animals, or wildlife can allow you to refine your clinical skills, gain hands-on experience, and network with other professionals in the industry.
Following your internship, you’ll participate in the Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program® (VIRMP®), a highly competitive system connecting applicants with postgraduate training programs accredited by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM).
Residencies typically last three to four years and can take place at zoos, wildlife centers, animal rehabilitation clinics, and similar facilities. During your residency, you may have the opportunity to work closely with animals in a clinical setting, research various aspects of animal medicine, and teach others about exotic animal care.
Optional Board Certification
Board certification by ACZM can open the door for enhanced career opportunities as a zoo veterinarian. To obtain this certification, you must complete an accredited residency program, log extensive clinical hours with various zoo species, conduct and publish research on exotic or zoological medicine, and pass the ACZM Certification Exam, a rigorous, multi-part assessment that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge in the field.
What Does a Zoo Veterinarian Do?
Zoo veterinarians are responsible for the health and wellness of a wide variety of species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic animals. Let’s explore the exciting, challenging, and fulfilling responsibilities of the typical zoo vet.
Daily Responsibilities
As a zoo veterinarian, you can expect to perform various tasks spanning preventative care and corrective medical treatments. You may conduct health assessments and wellness exams, monitor animals for signs of disease, and run diagnostic tests like bloodwork and imaging. Performing surgical procedures, administering vaccines, and managing nutrition plans may all be part of the daily routine.
Additionally, you can expect to work closely with zookeepers, researchers, and conservationists to provide a stimulating environment for the animals, develop appropriate enrichment programs, and ensure the overall well-being of the animals in your care.
Specialized Care
Vets in zoos must develop species-specific medical care plans to address unique health challenges associated with exotic animals. Here are some common health concerns among popular zoo animals:
- Large mammals: Orthopedic issues, dental problems, infectious diseases, arthritis
- Reptiles and amphibians: Metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, parasites
- Birds: Respiratory diseases, wing breaks, beak trims
- Marine life: Water quality issues, shell infections in sea turtles, fin injuries in dolphins
Conservation Efforts
Becoming a zoo veterinarian can expose you to unique opportunities to support wildlife conservation both within and beyond the zoo environment. Many zoo vets participate in endangered species breeding programs, helping bolster populations and ensure adequate genetic diversity. In this role, you may conduct research and educate others through various outreach programs.
Zoo Veterinarian Career Outlook
Many zoo veterinarians enjoy lucrative careers and enhanced job security.
Job Growth Projections
Take-home pay for zoo veterinarians is slightly lower than the median salary for general vets, but both careers show promising job growth in the future.
Keep in mind that veterinary positions in zoos are competitive. Limited positions are available, so networking with other industry professionals and gaining diverse experience may enhance future job prospects.
Educational Programs and Resources at Ross Vet
Ross Vet’’s DVM program can pave the way for a fulfilling career as a zoo veterinarian. Extensive hands-on training, valuable support services, and wide-reaching networking opportunities can help you prepare to enter the competitive field of zoo veterinary medicine.
Veterinary Program
The AVMA-accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program at Ross Vet lays the foundation for both general companion-vet practices and highly specialized niche careers. As a student, you will be exposed to many aspects of veterinary medicine during preclinical and clinical training, including opportunities to focus on exotic, aquatic, and wildlife medicine.
Hands-On Training
Ross Vets accelerated DVM program emphasizes practical experience with a wide variety of species, offering hands-on training throughout preclinical and clinical semesters. In addition to typical in-class exposure, you may also conduct research in your chosen field, monitor the local sea turtle population, and engage in a number of experiential learning opportunities. Additionally, Ross Vet has long-lasting partnerships with various zoos and wildlife centers for internships and externships.
Student Support Services
Ross Vet is committed to both the personal and professional development of our students. We offer personalized guidance for students pursuing careers as zoo veterinarians and provide invaluable resources for residency placement and board certification preparation.
We also understand the demands veterinary school places on students, requiring intensive focus and dedication. As a student, you will have access to comprehensive counseling services to help ensure your overall health and well-being as you prepare to become a zoo veterinarian.
FAQ: Becoming a Zoo Vet
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about how to become a zoo veterinarian.
What do you need to be a zoo veterinarian?
- Complete a bachelor’s degree or minimum prerequisite coursework
- Earn your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree
- Pass the NAVLE and obtain a state license
- Complete internship and residency training
- Become board certified (optional)
Is becoming a zoo vet hard?
Demanding educational requirements and competition in the small world of zoo veterinary medicine make it challenging to score a coveted role as a zoo veterinarian. The number of available jobs for zoo vets is relatively low. When positions become available, there is often an influx of applications from highly qualified zoo veterinarians hoping to fill the void.
What are vets who work at zoos called?
Zoos employ a number of specialists to care for animals. Here are some of the common types of veterinarians working in zoos:
- Zoo veterinarian: Primary vet caring for medical needs of zoo animals
- Wildlife veterinarian: Works with free-range wildlife and may have a role in conservation
- Zoological medicine specialist: Board-certified vet treating exotic species
- Aquatic veterinarian: Works with various marine species
- Veterinary pathologist: Focuses on diseases affecting animals may perform diagnostic tests, postmortem exams, and research on exotic species
The types of veterinarians employed by zoos will vary based on the animals in their care and the type of facility.
What majors are best for zoo veterinarians?
If you know early on that you want to become a zoo veterinarian, consider completing an undergraduate degree program in one of the following fields:
- Biology
- Wildlife biology
- Animal science
- Veterinary science
- Zoology
Ross Vet Can Help You Prepare for a Career as a Zoo Vet
Becoming a zoo veterinarian can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with exotic species, ensuring their health and well-being. You may also participate in critical conservation efforts and help inspire the next generation of zoo vets through various educational and outreach programs.
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine can prepare you for a strong educational foundation with exciting opportunities for hands-on training, skill development, and residency support. Request more information or take our admissions assessment to get started today!
