Zoo Sanctuary Keeper Alliance (ZSKA)
Mission: To educate and unite all animal keepers, caregivers, and enthusiasts and mend the gap in the animal profession.
Purpose: ZSKA is a member based organization that highlights all aspects of the animal field. From pet store owner/employees to zookeepers and sanctuary caregivers, as well as vet techs and marine mammal trainers, and everything in between is included in this group. All members will have the ability to access a wide network of animal professionals. This is to either help achieve current goals and/or further their personal knowledge and growth within the field.
Goal: ZSKA was founded by caregivers and keepers who know all to well the excitement of wanting to go to conferences, workshops, and classes; however, having insufficient funds to pay for flights, hotels, and registration fees can leave us keepers in great despair. Most zoos, sanctuaries, and animal organizations will gladly grant their employees the time off, but are unable to pay for all or many of their keepers to attend these conferences. ZSKA will provide some sort of financial help if not all expenses paid for either one or multiple ZSKA members to attend these conferences, classes, and workshops through the ZSKA Grant. Candidates will be chosen at random or will be required to submit a written essay following the rules and stipulations on why they should be elected for ZSKA Grant for the desired conference of ZSKA’s choosing.
Emphasis will put on keepers expanding from their comfort zones and attending conferences and meetings represented by other organizations. For example a primate zoo keeper would attend a Napsa meeting; where as, a chimpanzee caregiver from a sanctuary will attend and AZA meeting or AAZK conference.
Membership: There will be a fee of $25.00 to become a member of ZSKA. Membership will be valid for one whole year and expire on the anniversary one calendar year later. This fee will cover the cost and operation of ZSKA and go towards the ZSKA Grant. ZSKA members are also entitled to all ZSKA benefits including contests, drawings, and raffles.
ZSKA is not in competition with any established organizations but will work with them to spread knowledge and create strength among all keepers, caregivers, and animal professionals despite place of employment (or lack there of).
ZSKA 