Membership Information

Important Note on Dues: Membership invoices will now include credit card processing fees, which will result in slightly higher totals. If you prefer to pay by check, you only need to pay the base membership dues. You can find the base membership dues breakdown below.

The application process consists of three steps:

  1. Click the "Join" button below to complete the initial application.
  2. After submitting the first application, you will receive an email prompting you to fill out a secondary application.
  3. Once both applications are submitted and the invoice is paid, we will review your application.

Student Member

Membership dues: $35

Open to an individual who is enrolled full-time or part-time in high school, trade school, junior or community college or university. 

Membership benefits:

  • Opportunity to join a large network of zoo professionals & exchange ideas
  • ZAA Quarterly Magazine
  • Webinar recordings
  • Discounted member registration rate at the ZAA Annual Conference
  • Weekly Headline
  • Legislative updates and other news affecting the industry
  • Access to the Members Only site: ZAA newsletter archives, resources with industry standard and best practice documents, and more. 
 Join as Student Member

Associate Member

Membership dues: $50

Open to all interested individuals. 

Membership benefits:

  • Opportunity to join a large network of zoo professionals & exchange ideas
  • ZAA Quarterly Magazine
  • Webinar recordings
  • Discounted member registration rate at the ZAA Annual Conference
  • Weekly Headline
  • Legislative updates and other news affecting the industry
  • Access to the Members Only site: ZAA newsletter archives, resources with industry standard and best practice documents, and more. 
 Join as Associate Member

Professional Affiliate Member

Membership dues: $75

Open to full time employee of a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife facility; conservation partner; or commercial member. 

Membership benefits:

  • Opportunity to join a large network of zoo professionals & exchange ideas
  • ZAA Quarterly Magazine
  • Webinar recordings
  • Discounted member registration rate at the ZAA Annual Conference
  • Weekly Headline
  • Legislative updates and other news affecting the industry
  • Access to the Members Only site: ZAA newsletter archives, resources with industry standard and best practice documents, and more. 
  • Eligible to serve on ZAA committees
 Join as Professional Affiliate Member

Professional Fellow Member

Membership dues: $100

Open to individuals with a minimum of 5 years full-time paid experience in the zoological industry and serves or has served in a management capacity. Requires endorsement (via sponsorship form) from a ZAA professional fellow. Eligibility:

  • Minimum of 5 years full-time paid experience in the zoological industry
  • Serves or has served in a management capacity. Management positions are those that participate in the decision-making processes that influence and direct the operations, planning, purposes and goals of the organization
  • Submit one endorsement via the ZAA Sponsor Form from a ZAA professional fellow. Sponsor form must be submitted to the ZAA office directly from the sponsor.
  • Must be approved by the Membership Committee and Board of Directors. Approval is based on the individual's knowledge, expertise, experience and professional practices.

Membership benefits:

  • Opportunity to join a large network of zoo professionals & exchange ideas
  • ZAA Quarterly Magazine
  • Webinar recordings
  • Discounted member registration rate at the ZAA Annual Conference
  • Weekly Headline
  • Legislative updates and other news affecting the industry
  • Access to the Members Only site: ZAA newsletter archives, resources with industry standard and best practice documents, and more. 
  • Eligible to serve on ZAA committees
  • Has the right to vote
  • Eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors and can serve as an officer of ZAA
  • Eligible to serve as a Committee Chair
  • Access to view the Available and Wanted Animal List. Listing animals: $100 fee provides unlimited posts for 1-year
 Join as Professional Fellow Member

Commercial Member

Membership dues: $750

Companies eligible for a Commercial Membership are those who supply services, equipment, and products to organization members. A Commercial Member may not hold an animal collection except dedicated feed products.

Benefits include:

  • A $750 discount on exhibitor booths at our Annual Conference
  • One free quarter-page ad in each of our quarterlyZAA Magazine issues ($400 value)
  • Unlimited free posts to ZAA'sJob Board($75+ value)
  • Logo and website linked on Commercial Member website page
  • Access to the ZAA Member Directory
  • Ability to offer products and services to organization members
  • Member pricing and the opportunity to represent your company on a panel at ZAA's annual Mid-Year Working Meeting
 Join as Commercial Member

Conservation and Supporting Partner

A Conservation & Supporting Partner Membership is for conservation NGOs, nonprofits, and trade organizations passionate about and willing to support ZAA's dedication to advocating for wildlife, educating the public, and conserving habitats and at-risk species across the globe.

Benefits include:

  • Access to our member portal and the ability to easily connect with ZAA members
  • An automatic subscription to all of ZAA's newsletters
  • Access to our weekly Professional Development Webinars and the archive of past webinars
  • Member discounts on conference tickets
  • Unlimited free posts to our Job Board to advertise both paid positions and volunteer opportunities
 Join as Conservation and Supporting Partner

Accredited Facility

Membership dues: 

Small: $1,250.00 

Medium: $2,500.00 

Large: $3,500.00

Macro: $5,500.00

After your application has been submitted and approved, join as an accredited facility to create your facility membership. To learn more about the accreditation process, visit our website. 

 Join as Accredited Facility