American Association Of Zookeepers

What American Association Of Zookeepers does

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is a 501(c) non-profit professional membership association founded in 1967 in San Diego, California, and currently headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. It serves individual animal care professionals — zookeepers, aquarists, veterinarians, curators, animal health technicians, educators, volunteers, and students — across nearly 250 animal care facilities, with ~2,000 active members per the 2024 annual report and historical highs of ~2,800. Its core offerings are organized around five pillars: a monthly peer-reviewed journal (Animal Keepers' Forum), an annual national conference featuring professional certificate courses, a job board and member portal on Member365 (launched March 2024), a network of 100+ locally-run chapters across the US and Canada, and conservation fundraising programs (Bowling for Rhinos since 1990 — $9.35M cumulative raised; Trees for You and Me since 2009 — $246,578 cumulative).

AAZK's business model is a hybrid non-profit membership revenue stack: recurring annual membership dues across multiple tiers (Professional, Student, Emerging Nation, Latin American Sponsorship at $75/year), transaction fees from the job board ($50 per posting for non-members; free for institutional members), conference registration and professional certificate fees, merchandise sales through the AAZK Shop, and charitable donations from BFR, TFYM, and AmazonSmile. Distribution is hybrid: self-serve online via the member portal and aazk.org, supplemented by chapter-led local events and an annual rotating national conference (51st edition planned for Tacoma, WA in September 2026). In December 2024, AAZK executed a substantive rebrand — new logo, website, and chapter resources — repositioning itself from a narrow zookeepers' association to a broader community of animal care professionals.

Underlying technology is minimal and undifferentiated: AAZK runs no proprietary AI, model, or platform; its core stack is the third-party Member365 association management system, a standard content website, and standard e-commerce (now via a third-party vendor post office relocation). No patents, proprietary technology, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed. Strategic differentiation rests on community, brand longevity (58 years), chapter-based distribution, and an extensive 30+ conservation partner network, rather than on technology.

Name

American Association Of Zookeepers

Legal name

American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.

Website

https://aazk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

AAZK is a 501(c) non-profit membership association founded in 1967 serving ~2,000 animal care professionals across nearly 250 zoos and aquariums in North America, delivering the Animal Keepers' Forum journal, an annual conference, a job board, 100+ local chapters, and conservation fundraising programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Membership Association Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Professional membership association
• Animal care resources
• Conservation fundraising programs
• Zoological professional development
• Wildlife conservation nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Chandler

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to resources, publications, conferences, and professional development opportunities. Includes various membership levels including professional, student, and emerging nations memberships.
2. Job Board Fees: Non-institutional members and non-AAZK members pay $50 per job posting. Job postings remain for 60 days.
3. National Conference Revenue: Annual conferences featuring professional development, certificate courses, and networking generate revenue through registration fees.
4. Shop and Merchandise: AAZK operates a shop selling merchandise including BFR (Bowling for Rhinos) branded items and publications like the Animal Keepers' Forum journal.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Conservation programs including Bowling for Rhinos and Trees for You and Me generate donations. AmazonSmile program provides additional donation revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AAZK is a nonprofit professional membership association that delivers career development, networking, and conservation fundraising services to zookeepers, aquarists, veterinarians, educators, curators and students in the zoological field. It sells annual individual and institutional memberships, the Animal Keepers' Forum monthly journal, an annual national conference with professional certificate courses, a job board, and conservation programs (Bowling for Rhinos, Trees for You and Me), funded by dues, conference fees, donations, and merchandise.

Product overview

AAZK operates as a membership association offering a portfolio of professional development and conservation programs. The core offerings include the Animal Keepers' Forum journal, annual National Conferences with Professional Certificate Courses, and the Job Board & Membership System. Conservation programs include Bowling for Rhinos and Trees for You and Me. Additional services encompass the K.E.E.P. Exchange Program for shadowing opportunities, National Zoo Keeper Week awareness activities, Grants Programs, Crisis Management Resources, and comprehensive animal welfare resources including enrichment guidelines and Job Hazard Assessments. International outreach includes capacity building programs in Latin America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animal Keepers' Forum (AKF) Journal AAZK's monthly journal serving as the principal vehicle for communication among keepers, featuring articles on animal behavior, husbandry, and professional development. Targeted at AAZK members in the animal care profession.
• AAZK National Conference Annual national conference hosted by AAZK chapters, featuring professional certificate courses, workshops, paper and poster presentations, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities for animal care professionals.
• AAZK Job Board Online job board for animal care professionals; institutional members post jobs free, non-members pay $50 per posting for 60 days. Job postings submitted via aazk.member365.org portal.
• Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) AAZK's flagship conservation fundraising program that empowers animal keepers and communities to contribute directly to rhino and habitat conservation. 100% of proceeds go to conservation programs; $303,997.16 raised in 2024 alone and over $9.35M total since 1990.
• Trees for You and Me (TFYM) Tree-planting conservation program created to combat climate change and aid communities in sustainability initiatives through habitat restoration and reforestation projects. $246,578.46 total raised since 2009.
• K.E.E.P. Exchange Program Keeper Exchange Educational Program supporting professional development through short-term shadowing opportunities at zoos and aquariums across North America for animal care professionals.
• National Zoo Keeper Week (NZKW) Annual celebration during the third week of July recognizing the hard work of animal care professionals and promoting conservation messages to the public.
• AAZK Grants Program Grant programs including Professional Development Grant, National Conference Professional Member Grant, Student Diversity Grant, Institutional Research Grant, and TFYM Restoration Grant supporting conservation and professional development for members.
• Professional Certificate Courses 12-hour advanced training workshops resulting in professional certificates of completion, offered at AAZK National Conferences covering topics such as neonatal care, crisis management, animal husbandry, and conservation.
• AAZK Shop Online store selling AAZK merchandise including Bowling for Rhinos branded items, AAZK apparel, and publications such as the Animal Keepers' Forum journal.
• International Outreach Committee Programs Capacity building program and Latin America Travel Grant providing training and educational opportunities for international animal care professionals in Latin America. Includes the $75/year Latin American Emerging Nations Sponsorship program.
• Crisis Management Resource Updated resource for crisis management in zoos and other animal care facilities, created by AAZK Safety Committee members for institutional members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 2,800 members supported with professional resources
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cheetah OutreachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African conservation organization dedicated to protecting cheetahs through education, research, and community-based solutions promoting coexistence between cheetahs and farmers.
• Save the Golden Lion TamarincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS nonprofit supporting golden lion tamarin conservation in Brazil's Atlantic Forest through habitat restoration, population monitoring, and environmental education.
• Wildlife SOScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian nonprofit focused on rescuing wildlife and ending animal exploitation, particularly known for sloth bear rescue from illegal 'dancing bear' trade.
• Snow Leopard ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS nonprofit protecting endangered snow leopards through community-based conservation in high-mountain ecosystems across Central and South Asia.
• Ol Pejeta ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan nonprofit wildlife conservancy, East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary and home to world's last two northern white rhinos.
• Okapi Conservation ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit protecting endangered okapi and Ituri Forest habitat in Democratic Republic of Congo through anti-poaching patrols and community initiatives.
• Pangolin Conservation and Research FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit protecting pangolins through scientific research, rescue and rehabilitation, and community engagement in southern Africa.
• Cuenca Los OjoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit restoring ecosystems across US-Mexico borderlands, particularly in Sonora, Mexico's Madrean Sky Islands region.
• Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization promoting cheetah conservation through research, awareness, and community participation in Kenya.
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1924, AZA supports membership excellence in conservation, education, science, and research for zoos and aquariums.
• International Rhino FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit dedicated to survival of world's rhino species through conservation and research.
• Lewa Wildlife ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning catalyst for community conservation in northern Kenya, UNESCO World Heritage Site and model for protected area management.
• Polar Bears InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit dedicated to worldwide conservation of polar bears; partner in Trees for You and Me reforestation program.
• Red Panda NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization committed to conservation of wild red pandas and their habitat through education and community empowerment.
• Snow Leopard TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's leading authority on study and protection of endangered snow leopards, founded in 1981.
• Turtle Survival AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership committed to zero turtle extinctions in the 21st century through action-oriented conservation.
• Katie Adamson Conservation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation fund empowering people to save ecosystems and creatures; partner in Trees for You and Me habitat restoration in Costa Rica.
• Cheetah Conservation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in Namibia in 1990, dedicated to saving cheetahs in the wild through research and ecosystem protection.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA): EAZA is the European counterpart to AZA, serving zoos and aquariums across Europe with similar membership, conservation, and professional development missions. AAZK members participate in EAZA-affiliated programs via the K.E.E.P. Exchange Program.
• Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA): CAZA is the Canadian national association for zoos and aquariums, overlapping geographically with AAZK's Canadian members and chapters. It focuses on Canadian institutions while AAZK covers the broader North American animal-care professional community.

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS operates the Bronx Zoo and global conservation programs, employing many AAZK members and partnering on conservation. It is comparable as a zoo-operating-plus-conservation organization rather than a pure professional association.
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA): Founded in 1924, AZA is the primary accreditation body for North American zoos and aquariums and a core AAZK partner. It serves a broader institutional membership (full zoos/aquariums) compared to AAZK's individual professional members, but both organizations serve the same zoo/aquarium ecosystem with overlapping member bases.
• National Wildlife Federation (NWF): NWF is a large US conservation nonprofit with wildlife education and advocacy programs. It shares the conservation mission and member engagement model with AAZK's Bowling for Rhinos and Trees for You and Me programs.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): AVMA is the largest veterinary professional association in the US with membership, journals, conferences, and advocacy. Veterinarians are part of AAZK's membership base, and AVMA represents the broader clinical/professional counterpart in animal care.
• World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA): WAZA is the global umbrella organization for zoo and aquarium associations, including regional bodies like AZA and EAZA. It is comparable as the international counterpart to AAZK's North American professional membership focus.

Direct peers

• International Zoo Educators Association (IZE): IZE serves zoo and aquarium educators worldwide with similar professional development, conferences, and chapter/network models. It overlaps with AAZK's educator and animal care professional membership segments.
• Zoological Association of America (ZAA): ZAA is an alternative zoological accreditation body with member institutions and individual professionals in animal care. It directly competes with AAZK/AZA for zoo professional membership in North America, particularly among smaller and private facilities.

Emerging players

• International Association of Aquarium Professionals: IAAP is a specialty network for public aquarium professionals, overlapping with AAZK's aquarist membership segment highlighted in its 2024 rebrand. It is comparable as a niche animal-care professional association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aazkinc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NationalAAZK
• Facebookfacebook.com/AAZKinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-association-of-zoo-keepers
• Instagraminstagram.com/aazkinc
• Pinterestpinterest.com/amdiaz1982/aazk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Association Of Zookeepers