Zookeeper

Keepers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a job title and the name of the associated training profession. Your responsibilities include the professional and humane care, care and breeding of animals in animal shelters, zoos, research facilities or farms.

Vocational

The job description differentiates into three areas of activities:

• Research and Clinical Practice: Here, the main focus lies on the raising and breeding of laboratory animals, especially from genetically modified mice. In addition, the keepers assist the scientists in experiments and documentation, as well as smaller operations. Cardinal area of ​​work are derUniversitätskliniken research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Currently, undergoing a transition from a pure animal care to complex and diver ed fields of activity.

This is especially the generation of genetically modified animals to call, or work in the classical laboratory. The zookeeper has the important task of the experimental animals to make life as pleasant as possible and to ensure the welfare of animals in the course of his work here.

• Zootierpflege: Activity in zoos and similar facilities. Important are the construction and maintenance (cleaning) species-appropriate enclosure and the feeding and care of the animals themselves Optionally, the necessary appropriation extensive knowledge of rare or exotic animal species. In the context of the conservation of endangered species here an activity occurs in the region breeding / rearing in question. The support of animal health policy is also an important part of the working field. In addition, added information and care of the visitors.

• Shelter and pension Animal Care: Includes the maintenance and care of pets in animal shelters and boarding houses. The establishment and operation of such facilities are here as part of the job description as the care of the animals.

Training

In Germany and Austria the completion of a training contract with a training organization is required for the training of keepers. For the trade towards the zoo all major zoos and animal parks and many wildlife parks offer apprenticeships. Many animal shelters as well as some kennels for dogs and cats, but also for horses or other pets offer training courses in the field of veterinary home and kennels. Finally, one can also conclude research and clinical training places the subject area, either at a clinic for large animals or pets / small animals or a research institution with animal husbandry ( eg institutes at universities).

In general, the training covers basic knowledge of the anatomy of animals, as well as the acquisition of knowledge about posture, nutrition, care and transportation of animals. Animal and environmental protection, and appropriate legislation should be taught, as well as basic labor protection and labor insurance organization.

Germany

The training professional keepers is regulated by the Vocational Training Act ( Vocational Training Act). The three-year dual training with disciplines will take place in the training company and vocational school. In the third year of training, there is a specialization in one of the above three disciplines. After about half of the training, the competent Chamber of Commerce leads (Industry and Commerce ) through an intermediate examination. The training is completed after three years with a written knowledge test and a practical skills test.

Remuneration during the training

The trainees received from the animal shelters, clinics and zoos a monthly training subsidy, the amount is determined by collective agreement and which is different from state to state. For the occupation " keepers " it was, according to the database training allowances (DAV) of the Federal Institute for Vocational Training ( BIBB) as of 10/ 2011:

These specifications apply to all three disciplines: animal shelter / kennels, zoos and research / clinic

Austria

The apprentice is also formed three years in the dual system. Prerequisite for the start of the teaching is the completion of 9 years of compulsory schooling. However, most apprentices have completed upper secondary school and / or vocational school. Depending on the training mode, a focus is set in one of the three activities mentioned above. The training is completed with the final apprenticeship examination. A master's certificate is not provided. For higher qualifications at colleges, technical colleges and universities you need in Austria mostly vocational Matura ( Berufsreifeprüfung ), which is composed of the final exam and four other tests.

Switzerland

The training to / for keepers / EFZ (French Gardien d' animaux CFC, Italian Guardiano di animali AFC) lasts three years. The Offered disciplines are companion animals, laboratory animals and wildlife.

Career Prospects

Job prospects are currently very good, especially in the area of ​​research and clinical practice lacks a multi-tooth for specialists. The salary of a zookeeper is in the area of ​​shelter and kennels usually freely negotiable, in the areas of research and clinical practice as well as zoos, it is based on the collective agreement of the municipalities and the provinces. The employment figures for keepers are relatively constant since 1999 and were in 2011 at 22 062 sozialversichungspflichtig employees and 4,239 job seekers.