Q. How do I become an AAZK member?
A. To become a national member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, please visit the national AAZK website
To become a member of the Dallas Chapter of American Association of Zoo Keepers, email us at [email protected] or let us know on our contact page.
Q. Do I have to be a zookeeper to join?
A. ABSOLUTELY NOT! The American Association of Zoo Keepers is open to anyone who has an interest in animal welfare and conservation! You can join AAZK nationally or join our local chapter, we welcome anyone from Dallas and the surrounding area. We are always looking for fresh input and ideas. If Dallas is too far to join, check out the AAZK national website to see if there is a chapter closer to you!
Q. What does Dallas AAZK do?
A. We are a local chapter of a professional organization aimed at fostering professionalism and connectivity within the animal keeping profession. A big part of what we do is raising money to support local and international animal conservation causes. This includes hosting the annual Bowling for Rhinos and Sailing for Rhinos events as well as a number of smaller events throughout the year.
Q. Sure, rhinos are awesome. But why are all of the events for Rhinos?
A. Rhinos are our flagship animal! All five of the world's rhino species are listed as endangered, and in dire need of our help. The funds raised by Bowling for Rhinos and Sailing for Rhinos help target a number of in situ conservation projects, including Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, International Rhino Foundation, and Action for Cheetahs. These projects are mostly focused on rhinos, but saving rhinos also means providing valuable habitat for a whole host of other animals in both Africa and Asia. To learn more about the conservation projects AAZK supports, please check out AAZK's Bowling for Rhinos FAQ page.
Q. Okay, really, where does ALL the money go?
A. 100% of the money raised from Bowling for Rhinos and Sailing for Rhinos goes directly to the in situ conservation projects supported by AAZK. All of the members of our local AAZK chapter donate their time and resources. We also have a number of wonderful local supporters who donate money and items for our events and auctions. ALL of that money goes to the Bowling for Rhinos Fund. Our members also try to raise as much money as they can on their own in an effort to try to be the top fundraiser. In an effort to educate the public, each year we highlight a specific species or project to be the target of our fundraising efforts, and we highlight that species' needs in conjunction with our Bowling and Sailing events.
We do have other events to support our AAZK chapter as well. After all, it is a challenge getting vendors to donate everything we need to put on an event. That money comes out of a separate budget just for our AAZK chapter. We hold specific fundraisers which we will ALWAYS clearly indicate are for the Dallas AAZK chapter. We usually raise this money from having lunches/cook offs.
Sometimes our local Dallas Chapter will get involved in other conservation areas too! Again, we will always specify what the funds raised will be going toward, whether it is for AAZK, Conservation, or for Bowling/Sailing for Rhinos. To look at some of the past conservation causes we have supported, check out our Annual Fundraising page.
A. To become a national member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, please visit the national AAZK website
To become a member of the Dallas Chapter of American Association of Zoo Keepers, email us at [email protected] or let us know on our contact page.
Q. Do I have to be a zookeeper to join?
A. ABSOLUTELY NOT! The American Association of Zoo Keepers is open to anyone who has an interest in animal welfare and conservation! You can join AAZK nationally or join our local chapter, we welcome anyone from Dallas and the surrounding area. We are always looking for fresh input and ideas. If Dallas is too far to join, check out the AAZK national website to see if there is a chapter closer to you!
Q. What does Dallas AAZK do?
A. We are a local chapter of a professional organization aimed at fostering professionalism and connectivity within the animal keeping profession. A big part of what we do is raising money to support local and international animal conservation causes. This includes hosting the annual Bowling for Rhinos and Sailing for Rhinos events as well as a number of smaller events throughout the year.
Q. Sure, rhinos are awesome. But why are all of the events for Rhinos?
A. Rhinos are our flagship animal! All five of the world's rhino species are listed as endangered, and in dire need of our help. The funds raised by Bowling for Rhinos and Sailing for Rhinos help target a number of in situ conservation projects, including Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, International Rhino Foundation, and Action for Cheetahs. These projects are mostly focused on rhinos, but saving rhinos also means providing valuable habitat for a whole host of other animals in both Africa and Asia. To learn more about the conservation projects AAZK supports, please check out AAZK's Bowling for Rhinos FAQ page.
Q. Okay, really, where does ALL the money go?
A. 100% of the money raised from Bowling for Rhinos and Sailing for Rhinos goes directly to the in situ conservation projects supported by AAZK. All of the members of our local AAZK chapter donate their time and resources. We also have a number of wonderful local supporters who donate money and items for our events and auctions. ALL of that money goes to the Bowling for Rhinos Fund. Our members also try to raise as much money as they can on their own in an effort to try to be the top fundraiser. In an effort to educate the public, each year we highlight a specific species or project to be the target of our fundraising efforts, and we highlight that species' needs in conjunction with our Bowling and Sailing events.
We do have other events to support our AAZK chapter as well. After all, it is a challenge getting vendors to donate everything we need to put on an event. That money comes out of a separate budget just for our AAZK chapter. We hold specific fundraisers which we will ALWAYS clearly indicate are for the Dallas AAZK chapter. We usually raise this money from having lunches/cook offs.
Sometimes our local Dallas Chapter will get involved in other conservation areas too! Again, we will always specify what the funds raised will be going toward, whether it is for AAZK, Conservation, or for Bowling/Sailing for Rhinos. To look at some of the past conservation causes we have supported, check out our Annual Fundraising page.
For recent event photos, as well as regular updates on what is happening with Dallas AAZK, "Like" our Facebook Page!
