Volunteering at the Baton Rouge Zoo is a fun, challenging, and rewarding experience. Whether you're someone who loves gardening, working with animals, volunteering at community events or helping with light office work, there's something here for you!

Zoo Opportunities

Work directly with zookeepers and staff to perform routine duties that include cleaning, feeding, and enrichment. Volunteer work is done near animals but does not involve handling or training. Must be able to stand, climb, and bend for extended periods of time and must be able to lift 50 pounds. Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. Animal Care/Department volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.

Shifts for Animal Care/Department volunteers are a minimum of 4 hours per week and must be regular and consistent.

Shifts are available seven days a week 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Occasional 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. shifts subject to staff availability.

Placement is limited by department.

  • Diet Kitchen – Volunteers assist in the preparation of diets for Zoo animals.
  • Hoof Stock – Volunteers assist with raking yards, enrichment, and keeper chats.
  • Birds – Volunteers assist with hosing, feed outs, perching, enrichment, and keeper chats.
  • KidsZoo – Volunteers assist with raking, hosing, diet prep, projects, and running of the ducks.

Work alongside Education staff in animal care, diet preparation, enrichment, Wildlife Safari Amphitheatre programs, bio-fact carts, crafts, camps, animal encounters, and demonstrations. Education volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.

Animal care shifts available seven days a week 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Additional shifts vary based on program and outreach schedules.

Volunteers learn to ‘speak frog’ with this citizen science project geared towards amphibian conservation. To learn more and register for a training session please visit the link below.

Enthusiastically assist visitors with questions and wayfinding and ensure each guest has an exemplary visit. Volunteers are stationed at key areas on grounds including Realm of the Tiger, KidsZoo, and animal exhibits to welcome guests and provide tips for discovering all BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo has to offer! Must be comfortable standing and traversing zoo grounds in all weather conditions. Education volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.

Shifts available all days February through May 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Weekends year-round 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Assist our horticultural staff in maintaining Zoo grounds, so they stay healthy and beautiful. Must be comfortable being outdoors in all weather conditions.

Assist in Zoo offices with mailings, data entry, and other general office duties.

Community Opportunities

Work directly with zookeepers and staff to perform routine duties that include cleaning, feeding, and enrichment. Volunteer work is done near animals but does not involve handling or training. Must be able to stand, climb, and bend for extended periods of time and must be able to lift 50 pounds. Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. Animal Care/Department volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.

Shifts for Animal Care/Department volunteers are a minimum of 4 hours per week and must be regular and consistent.

Shifts are available seven days a week 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Occasional 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. shifts subject to staff availability.

Placement is limited by department.

  • Diet Kitchen – Volunteers assist in the preparation of diets for Zoo animals.
  • Hoof Stock – Volunteers assist with raking yards, enrichment, and keeper chats.
  • Birds – Volunteers assist with hosing, feed outs, perching, enrichment, and keeper chats.
  • KidsZoo – Volunteers assist with raking, hosing, diet prep, projects, and running of the ducks.

Work alongside Education staff in animal care, diet preparation, enrichment, Wildlife Safari Amphitheatre programs, bio-fact carts, crafts, camps, animal encounters, and demonstrations. Education volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.

Animal care shifts available seven days a week 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Additional shifts vary based on program and outreach schedules.

Volunteers learn to ‘speak frog’ with this citizen science project geared towards amphibian conservation. To learn more and register for a training session please visit the link below.

Enthusiastically assist visitors with questions and wayfinding and ensure each guest has an exemplary visit. Volunteers are stationed at key areas on grounds including Realm of the Tiger, KidsZoo, and animal exhibits to welcome guests and provide tips for discovering all BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo has to offer! Must be comfortable standing and traversing zoo grounds in all weather conditions. Education volunteers must be 18 years of age to be considered for a volunteer position and must complete an interview and training before beginning volunteer work.

Shifts available all days February through May 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Weekends year-round 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Assist our horticultural staff in maintaining Zoo grounds, so they stay healthy and beautiful. Must be comfortable being outdoors in all weather conditions.

Assist in Zoo offices with mailings, data entry, and other general office duties.

Orientation Dates

Please Note: You must complete the Volunteer Application and background check before you may register for orientation.

All new volunteers are required to attend orientation. Orientation is a great way for applicants to learn more about what a Zoo volunteer does, the onboarding process, opportunities available, and ask questions.

Orientations are held throughout the year.

Requirements

  • Volunteer at least 50 hours per year
  • Volunteer for two or more special events
  • Consent to a background check
  • Provide current proof of a negative TB test
  • Pay a one-time $50 volunteer fee (paid after orientation). The fee covers materials, training, name tag, and volunteer polo.
  • Successfully complete volunteer interview (if applicable)

How to Apply

To apply for volunteer opportunities at the Zoo today, please complete our online application or email volunteers@brzoo.org with any questions.

Looking for Teen Volunteer Opportunities?

We call our teen volunteers Zoo Krewe. Click here to learn about this exciting group and volunteer opportunities for teens.