* Bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, zoology, or a related field. Some positions may require a master's degree or higher.
* Coursework should include: Animal science, animal behavior, biology, chemistry, math, and physics.
* Work experience:
* Animal internship, volunteer work, or paid position. This is essential to gain hands-on experience working with animals.
* Experience demonstrating strong animal handling skills and the ability to care for a variety of animal species.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as problem-solving and decision-making ability.
* Physical fitness to keep up with the demands of the job.