The mission of The American Association of Zoo Keepers is to advance excellence in the zookeeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.
Dedicated to professional animal care, the vision of AAZK is to provide a resource for professional development, enrichment, training, and conservation for zoo keepers and animal care professionals. AAZK will advance effective communication beneficial to animal care through publications, conferences and online resources. AAZK seeks to cultivate quality animal care by making available the latest techniques and resources in animal husbandry and management and by recognizing the efforts of groups and individuals for excellence in advancing the zookeeping profession and promoting conservation efforts. AAZK recognizes the role that our profession plays in the conservation and preservation of our wildlife and their habitats and encourages and promotes the support of deserving conservation projects through individual, chapter, and national endeavors. Through its Board of Directors, chapters, committees, conferences, and workshops, AAZK strives to encourage initiative in order to help develop future leaders in today’s zoos and aquariums.