Lend a Paw at the Zoo
Our volunteer program offers hands-on opportunities to help care for animals and make a wild difference—no two days are ever the same!
Wild About Helping? So Are We.
Wild About Helping? So Are We.
Volunteers play a vital role at the zoo, supporting animal care specialists and educators with daily operations. They’ll share wildlife knowledge with guests, assist at summer camps, birthday parties, Boo at the Zoo, and other special events.
Teen volunteers should be in Grades 7–12. For those 18 and older, we offer our Adult Volunteer Program.
If you're interested, reach out for more details at 304-243-4100 or email us.
- Complete the application form below.
- Submit contact information for two references.
- Participate in an interview with a Zoo Educator.
- If accepted, submit a $55 participation fee to cover training materials, a uniform t-shirt, volunteer newsletter, and more. (Scholarships are available for those in need)
- Attend training classes, both online and in-person, from February through April.
- Demonstrate knowledge of training class material.
Once you’ve successfully completed the Volunteer Training Program, we ask our volunteers to assist the zoo with a minimum number of hours to help us keep the fun going:
- January through April: 16 hours
- May: 8 hours
- June: 24 hours
- July: 24 hours
- August: 16 hours
- September through December: 16 hours (including two nights of Boo at the Zoo)
We’re excited to have you as part of our team and appreciate the time you dedicate to supporting the zoo!