Pueblo Zoo - Located in Pueblo, Colorado

Pueblo Zoo’s Volunteer Program can be an exciting experience! Volunteers play important roles in education, gardening, special events, the gift shop, and many other exciting areas of the Zoo!

Docent (Education) Program:
Docents present classes and programs both on and off Zoo grounds. Enrich learning experiences for our Zoo guests or take the Zoo to schools, nursing homes, and other groups. Education volunteers are called Docents.

Contact Area:
At regularly scheduled hours the public is allowed to feed and/or touch the goats, sheep, miniature horses, llamas, and donkeys. Volunteer as an attendant in the contact area.

Ranch Hand:
Assist keepers in cleaning, feeding, and caring for ranch animals. Learn to halter and walk llamas and miniature horses.

Special Events:
Help staff with an array of educational and fundraising events throughout the year, such as Senior Safari, Family Day, and ElectriCritters.

Gift Shop:
Staff the gift shop for a 4-5 hour shift. Operate a cash register. The gift shop is managed and operated by volunteers. Profits help fund operation of the Zoo.

Gardening:
There are extensive gardens of many kinds at the Zoo. Help plant, weed, and mulch.

Much, Much More!
If you have special skills or talents, let us know…there are many and varied areas of the Zoo that need YOUR help!

Please note: Due to strict animal husbandry guidelines and safety issues, there is no contact or inside-exhibit work with the majority of the animals at the Pueblo Zoo.

Each Volunteer must be prepared to commit to at least one year of service.
If you are not already a Pueblo Zoo member, you must become and remain a member throughout your career as a Pueblo Zoo Volunteer. Contact the Membership Department at 719/561-1452 ext. 116 to purchase a membership, or purchase by clicking here.

Once accepted into the program, education volunteers (Docents) must complete basic training workshops and pay a $50 training fee. This one-time fee includes a volunteer shirt, nametag, manual, training materials, and family membership.
To keep Docents updated and current on all information, required monthly luncheon meetings are held the third Thursday of every month at noon.
Docents are asked to commit to a minimum of 2 programs per month.

Applicants must be 18 years or older. Once accepted into the program, volunteers must complete basic training and pay a $25 training fee. This one-time fee includes a volunteer shirt, nametag, training materials, and an individual membership.
Contact Area Volunteers and Ranch Hands are asked to commit to a minimum of two 4-hour shifts per month.

ANIMAL DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIPS

Unpaid internships generally are coordinated through the student's school. Duties include much physical labor in cleaning manure, feeding, observation, exhibit maintenance, record-keeping, and in some cases animal handling. A student may apply to work with the Veterinary Department only if working toward a degree leading to a career as a veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, or veterinarian. Interns are assigned to work with zookeepers or the Zoo vet tech.