How to Become a Zookeeper

How to Become a Zookeeper

If you have a passion for animals and want to work closely with them, becoming a zookeeper can be a rewarding career choice. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pursue this profession: Becoming a Certified Zookeeper At Cat Tales Wildlife Academy, we offer the Professional Zookeeper Program, a comprehensive training program designed to equip…

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New Zookeeper Website

New Zookeeper Website

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new sister website, dedicated solely to our teaching zoo and professional zookeeper training program! If you’re passionate about animals and want to pursue a career in the zookeeping industry, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Our program offers hands-on experience and expert training from experienced professionals….

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Audio Tour

Audio Tour

Learn about the Cat Tales Wildlife from the convenience of your computer or smart phone. It’s a wonderful addition to your walk about the Center while visiting the animals. Each stop tells the story of the different species you’ll see, along with myths and fun facts. https://youraudiotour.com/tours/4568/

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Caring for Orphaned Puma Cubs

Caring for Orphaned Puma Cubs

In late December 2022 we accepted from WA Department of Fish and Wildlife – 3 puma (cougar) cubs in need of a temporary home. Follow their story as we stabilized them and prepared the cubs for their future transfer.

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Big Cat Public Safety Act signed by President Biden

How ‘Tiger King’ helped kill the industry it made famous Landmark U.S. legislation bans cub petting, tiger selfies, and breeding big cats as pets. What does that mean for the thousands of captive cats? The lucrative cub-petting industry that the Netflix docuseries Tiger King thrust into the spotlight is now illegal in the United States.  The Big…

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We have tried to cover the most frequently asked questions – though we get many others. Use the comment box to ask your relevant questions and we will try to answer them for you as we have time.

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Video Tour

Video Tour

This tour is designed for school aged children & is informative for all ages. This video was filmed a few years ago for the public library and does not reflect current improvements or changes in the animals and/or their exhibits.

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Overwintering Gray Squirrels

Overwintering Gray Squirrels

Cat Tales is the new home for a handful of gray squirrels that were orphaned in the late summer. The young squirrels were rehabbed at Washington State University (WSU) Wildlife Society and will spend the winter growing in their outdoor nest boxes located in our pine trees. Gray squirrels are native to this particular area…

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Siberian Tiger Rescue

Siberian Tiger Rescue

Siberian Tiger Rescue in Napavine, WA – February 21, 2007. Footage is from the surrender and initial transport of the Siberian tiger family to their forever home at Cat Tales. We share this now as reminder that while this rescue occurred well over a decade ago, the forever care commitment for housing, food, medical, dental…

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Online Animal Training Program

Online Animal Training Program

For those interested in Animal Behavior, Welfare and Force Free Training – We highly recommend getting to know Barbara Heidenreich and this animal training program! Our students of The Wildlife Academy utilize this virtual learning as part of their professional studies. If you sign up through our affiliate link it benefits our educational programs!

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Visiting in the Winter

Visiting in the Winter

Winter is the best time to see cold weather animals at their most active. Many of the animals that call Cat Tales home are our native species including cougars, bobcats, lynx, red fox, coyote, wolfdogs, and black bears. Our Siberian Tigers enjoy the winter weather. (They are native to Siberia, after all…) All our other…

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