Get Started
Become Part of the Network
Whether you're a keeper ready to grow or a collection ready to share — KEEP is for you.
Who It's For
Built for the keeper community
For Keepers
Develop your expertise
- Access to placements across a wide network of collections
- Learning with experienced keepers
- Expand your species and husbandry expertise
- Build a genuine professional network
- Enhance your CV and career prospects
- Be part of a global conservation community
For Collections
Share and receive expertise
- Host motivated keepers from across the UK
- Share your expertise and best practices
- Receive fresh perspectives and new ideas
- Strengthen inter-collection relationships
- Post placements to a vetted keeper audience
- Contribute to raising conservation standards
Welcome to KEEP!
Thank you for choosing to improve your own CPD and get involved with this exciting new project. We hope that you’ll be able to grow and expand your knowledge, and make some friends along the way! In order to get started with KEEP, there are a few things you need to know first:
For Keepers
KEEP is open to all zookeepers within the UK. This programme is constantly growing and expanding both internationally but also to other jobs. Currently to register on this site you must meet the following criteria:
- 1You MUST have been employed in a full-time paid position for over 1 year in the industry.
- 2You MUST be over the age of 18.
- 3You MUST be currently employed at a zoological collection that holds a zoo licence and is open to the public within the UK.
These criteria are in place because we at KEEP feel that those just starting out in the zookeeping world may benefit more from learning the basics and intricacies of their own collection first before looking to other collections for new perspectives. This programme is designed as a CPD opportunity to those working and therefore is not available to those starting out as a means to gain experience within the sector.
Approval takes around two weeks
KEEP is run by a team of volunteers, and all new registrations must be vetted first to ensure that they meet our criteria, which will include verifying with the reference you provide for your current collection. Due to this, application approval can take on average 2 weeks, from submitting your profile to being able to apply for any listing.
When signing up to KEEP you will need to provide
- The contact information of your manager or supervisor at your current collection, so that we can verify your credentials are correct before approving your account. This is essential for us to help you continue your KEEP journey!
- An up-to-date CV to upload so that hosting collections can read all about your experience!
When applying to placements you will also need to provide a cover letter explaining to the collection why you want to take part in their placement.
KEEP is not a trial run for new employment
This programme is set up to allow you to learn new skills, techniques, and management styles to help improve your ability to perform in your current role. KEEP does not promote the use of our platform for testing out either new collections or new employees in the job search process.
Code of Conduct
As part of our terms and conditions for using this service all participants must agree to our KEEP Code of Conduct. This applies to both visiting Keepers and hosting Collections alike. We have these in place to ensure that all placements can occur smoothly, safely, and comfortably for all involved, and to reduce any issues that may occur during your placement duration.
For Collections
To apply for KEEP as a hosting collection we currently require you to hold a Zoo licence, be open to the public, and be an EAZA / BIAZA accredited collection within the UK.
Right now, any keeper (with over 1 year’s experience) from any collection may apply for the exchange programme, but as KEEP is beginning to find its feet, we are asking that only BIAZA / EAZA accredited collections may apply to be hosts. This is subject to change in the future, but for now it helps our small team ensure that everything goes smoothly during the placements.
We are slowly opening our website up to international collections as well, as we seek to expand KEEP across the borders.
Interested in hosting?
If you would like to show off the husbandry, training and enrichment practices you have developed — and contribute to the bettering of keepers from across the UK, and hopefully soon the world — please get in touch with Dan or Alice. We would love to hear from any collection that wants to become part of the KEEP community.
Email info@keeperexchange.orgCode of Conduct
As part of our terms and conditions for using this service all participants must agree to our KEEP Code of Conduct. This applies to both visiting Keepers and hosting Collections alike. We have these in place to ensure that all placements can occur smoothly, safely, and comfortably for all involved, and to reduce any issues that may occur during your placement duration.
KEEP is the UK’s first official Zookeeper Exchange Programme, where keepers can work at other collections to learn skills and develop their animal husbandry knowledge.
The Process
How to join
Register
Create your profile as a keeper or collection. Takes less than 5 minutes.
Get Verified
Our team reviews your application and verifies your eligibility.
Get Matched
Browse and apply to placements, or post your own opportunities.
Exchange & Grow
Complete your placement, share what you've learned and build your network.
Common Questions
FAQs
Who can apply as a keeper?+
Any professional keeper with at least one year of paid experience in a zoological collection is eligible to register with KEEP.
How long do placements typically last?+
Placements range from one day to a couple weeks, depending on the agreement between the keeper and the host collection. The average KEEP exchange lasts two to three days.
Is there a cost to join KEEP?+
Registration is completely free for both keepers and collections. We rely on donations to support KEEP's operational costs.
Are international placements available?+
Yes. While KEEP started as a UK programme, we now facilitate exchanges across 9 countries. International placements are available to registered keepers.
Can I apply if I'm based outside the UK?+
Yes! But please include it as part of any application.