The membership associate position entails minimal data entry for ZooFriends memberships, interacting with members, prospective members, and the general public on a daily basis, operating cash register and point of sale system, in addition to other duties. Candidates must have minimal data entry experience and be familiar with Microsoft programs such as Word and Excel. Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge is preferred.

This part-time position includes weekends. Applicants must be available to work Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. with Saturday and Sunday a must. Hourly pay rate varies from $7.25 to $8 per hour based on experience.

The Oklahoma Zoological Society, Inc. (ZooFriends) is a private non-profit that supports the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Send resume, application and 3 references, to: ZooFriends, P.O. Box 18424, Oklahoma City, OK 73154 or e-mail to Bree Leggett at breel@zoofriends.org. You may also fax your resume to (405) 427-2468.

There are so many ways you can give back to the Zoo you love. Maybe for a month instead of getting that $5 cup of coffee every Friday, you forgo it. It's never easy shopping for mother's day gifts, birthday presents or father's day gifts. Why not give a donation in honor of someone? I bet somewhere in your house you even have a change jar filled with change, just waiting to be cashed in.

There are so many different and unique ways to give. And each gift, whether $1 or $1,000 makes a difference. It's a new year. And usually at this time of year we are thinking of ways we can better ourselves or do more.Why not find a creative and unique way to give this year?

Do you know a young professional between the ages of 21-35 that loves to be involved in the community? Do they have a passion for animals? Then ZooTroop is for them! The Oklahoma Zoological Society is accepting applications for their young professionals group, ZooTroop.

ZooTroop is dedicated to promoting the Oklahoma City Zoo's educational, conservation, research and recreational programs, enhancing its volunteer base, and building future leadership for the Oklahoma Zoological Society (OZS). Its members bring creativity, energy, and a spirit of celebration to the Zoo and OZS.

Applications will be accepted through October 15, 2012. To become a member of ZooTroop you must be able to attend monthly ZooTroop meetings, attend at least one OZS board meeting per year, volunteer and attend at least one of OZS’s functions during a calendar year (e.g., OEB, Zoobilation, Family Fun Night) and pay annual dues of $75.00.

ZooTroop has the unique opportunity of experiencing the Zoo behind-the-scenes and up close and becoming advocates of the Zoo.

To apply, download the application and return with two letters of recommendation. Applications can be returned via mail, e-mail or hand delivered to the ZooFriends membership.

For more information contact Brianne Hinojosa at 405-425-0612 or e-mail bhinojosa@zoofriends.org.

Mark your calendars for September 28 and be one of 750 attendees to enjoy samples of over 30 beers provided by local breweries and distributors, listen to one of the area's hottest bands, enjoy $3 meal deals and have the chance to participate in a silent auction.

And for those of you who can't wait until 6:30 for ZooBrew to begin Pre-Brew is back! Pre-Brew is an early "taste" of ZooBrew and is only open to 100 guests. As a Pre-Brew guests you'll be admitted an hour earlier to taste high-end specialty beers and appetizers not being offered during regular ZooBrew hours!

Pre-Brew begins at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $60. ZooBrew begins at 6:30 and tickets are $30 for ZooFriends members, $35 for non-members and $10 for designated drivers.

Purchase your tickets now before it's sold out. You don't want to miss ZooBrew!

Categories this year include:

Aquarium/Reptiles/Amphibians
Birds/Landscape
Mammals/Carnivores
Mammals/Herbivores

The three divisions include:

Youth I (through age 10)
Youth II (11-18)
Adult

A reception and award ceremony will be held at the Oklahoma City Zoo's Rosser Conservation Education Building on August 12, 2012 at 2 p.m.

For questions please contact Allie Sheldon at 405-425-0613 or at asheldon@zoofriends.org.

Capture the Wild entry forms and official rules.

“We have adopted a bold vision that will showcase the very best treatment of the unique and fascinating wild animals entrusted to our care. The new Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital is the first priority in our 10 year master plan and it is a pleasure to work together with the Oklahoma Zoological Society and our community to make this happen,” Dwight Scott, CEO and Director of the Oklahoma City Zoo said.

The current Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Health and Welfare Complex, located behind-the-scenes, has served admirably for the last 32 years. Yet at the last accrediting visit by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums the Zoo was cautioned that the current facility compromises the world class standards the OKC Zoo strives to uphold.

“Technology has improved quite a bit in medicine since the last hospital was built. We have really outgrown our current facility and there are actually a few things we are limited in doing and it hinders us a little bit in providing the enhanced quality of care that we know we can provide,” said Dr. Jennifer D’Agostino, Director of Veterinary Services. “Right now we can’t take certain animals to the hospital because they’re too big or we don’t have the space or the equipment.”

The new Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital will provide veterinary staff the tools and space needed to provide the very best treatment to the wild animals entrusted to the Oklahoma City Zoo’s care. The new animal hospital will be located on Zoo grounds and will allow access to visitors and give them an unprecedented look into a suite where exams, surgeries, medications and treatment procedures are taking place. This new state-of-the-art animal hospital will ensure the Oklahoma City Zoo remains one of the nation’s leading authorities in zoological animal care and demonstrates the Zoo’s Commitment to Care.

Dana McCrory, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Zoological Society stated, “Since the day it was founded, the Oklahoma Zoological Society has worked hard to fulfill its mission to support and promote the Oklahoma City Zoo. This partnership between the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Oklahoma Zoological Society truly showcases how the public and private sectors can work together for the greatest common good. We invite everyone to be a part of this campaign, whether through a traditional or non-traditional gift, there are many ways to show your Commitment to Care!”

To make a donation to the Commitment to Care campaign visit zoofriends.com/commitment-to-care or call 405-425-0611.

Saturday, April 28, 2012
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City Zoo
$50 per ticket 

There are only a limited amount of tickets left for Evening EscApe.

ZooTroop is dedicated to promoting the Oklahoma City Zoo's educational, conservation, research and recreational programs, enhancing its volunteer base, and building future leadership for the Oklahoma Zoological Society. Its members bring creativity, energy, and a spirit of celebration to the Zoo and the Oklahoma Zoological Society.

Requirements for ZooTroop are:

• Must be a current ZooFriend or willing to become a ZooFriend
• Must be between the ages of 21-35 at the time of application
• Must be able to attend 75% of ZooTroop meetings
• Must be able to attend at least one Oklahoma Zoological Society board meeting per year
• Must be able to volunteer and attend at least one of the Society's functions during a calendar year (e.g., OEB, Zoobilation, Family Fun Night)
• Pay annual dues of $75.00

ZooTroop applications will be accepted through March 31, 2012. Members will be selected April 6 by a committee consisting of four people directly involved with the Zoo and one community member at large.Applications will be evaluated based on completeness, community involvement, relevant skills and experience, level of interest and strength of recommendation letters.Results will be communicated no later than April 9. If selected, members MUST attend the ZooTroop meeting on April 11, 2012. If you are unable to attend, you will not be able to participate in ZooTroop.

Completed applications may be hand-delivered to the ZooFriends membership office located in the Zoo’s main entrance between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily or e-mailed to friends@zoofriends.org. Recommendation letters may be sent via e-mail to friends@zoofriends.org.

Download ZooTroop application now!

For more information or questions, e-mail friends@zoofriends.org.

We are very excited to have this new site and hope it makes a difference in your experience with our site. In the next few days we'll be having some exciting contests to celebrate our new site.

As with any new site, I'm sure there are issues we have overlooked. If you stumble upon any major issues, please feel free to contact us to report any issues.

Thank you for supporting ZooFriends and we hope you like what you see!