“Teddy Bear” the Porcupine Video Goes Viral!»
Our simple little video called "Teddy Bear, the Porcupine Doesn’t Like to Share" has gone viral! Last week we had about 2,000 views of the video, featuring "Teddy Bear," our very talkative, and rather grumpy, 8-year old North American porcupine not wanting to share his ear of corn with me. The latest count is 435,000 views and skyrocketing by the hour — watch the video and check out the latest number of views.Three major networks have already contacted us about airing it on their regular programming. Who knew? Teddy, we better get you an agent and bleach those teeth — you’re aiming for stardom!
UPDATE 12/04/11: Teddy’s video aired on ABC’s GOOD MORNING AMERICA.
UPDATE 12/03/11: Hit 750,000 views.
UPDATE 11/29/11: Teddy’s video aired on NBC’s TODAY show, CBS’s INSIDE EDITION, FOX’s RED EYE, and E’s THE SOUP — hit 500,000 views.
UPDATE 11/28/11: Huffington Post Cute/Ridiculous Animal Thing of the Day
Librarians: It’s Time to Book for Summer 2012!»
Librarians across Texas – it’s time to book performers for Summer Reading 2012! It’s best to book your summer programming before the holidays or your favorite vendors may already be booked-up. No deposit is required. Nothing to risk to hold your reservation. Call 972-979-9847 or write now to book your favorite dates and times, before they’re all gone!
"Zoo’s Clues"
The Texas State Library Commision has selected "Get A Clue" as next summer’s school-age theme. We’ll be offering a new course to match the theme: "Zoo’s Clues." As always, we’ll be featuring rescued animals your readers haven’t met in recent years, so you’re guaranteed a fresh new show. Or, if you prefer, you can ask us to teach one of our other 20 memorable programs.
Pricing & Travel Fees
Both our large group stage shows and our small group classroom programs still start at $250. Travel fees are charged for any location beyond 50 miles roundtrip from our North Dallas location. You can cut your travel charges in half or more if you plan ahead — help us to book a neighboring library (or two) on the same day and we’ll split the travel charges, making it affordable for even the most budget-challenged libraries.
Preschool, ‘Tween & Teen, and Adult & Senior Programming, Too!
You may not know that some of our most popular programming is designed for other age groups. We can adjust our curriculum and animal selections to appeal to preschoolers (3 years and older only), ‘tweens & teens (no "baby" programming here), and your adult and senior audiences. We’re happy to refer you to librarians where these shows have been a HUGE success — they’ve been some of our favorites, too! Animals are fascinating for all ages — keep us in mind for year-round programming and for all age groups.
PT Animal Keeper Position Open – Sunday Shift & Relief Work»
PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST
Need a part-time job for a little extra cash? Need to gain more exotic animal husbandry experience? Have another job or school or kids and need flexible scheduling? If you are an experienced zookeeper, vet tech, rehabber or animal caretaker, then consider joining our animal care team! We have a rare opening in our animal keeper schedule and are seeking an experienced individual for part-time work on Sundays and for relief work. Here are all the details:
PART-TIME ANIMAL KEEPER, NW DALLAS, NEEDED FOR SUNDAY SHIFT & RELIEF WORK, 4-5 hrs per day, flexible scheduling
Zooniversity LLC, a Dallas-based wildlife education company, seeks a reliable, self-motivated, responsible individual for the position of part-time animal keeper. Work 4-5 hours per day, NEEDED FOR SUNDAYS; hours are flexible to work around your other job, school or family commitments. Relief keeper days also available, as needed by other keepers. NOTE: this position is strictly husbandry duties – no public speaking (so, wanna-be educators shouldn’t expect additional opportunities).
Must have experience in the care of multiple species as a zookeeper, veterinary technician, rehabber or animal caretaker. You must be willing to handle arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals.
Daily duties include:
- Maintenance and cleaning of animal cages and surrounding areas
- Daily diet preparation
- Inventory and pick-up of food and supplies i.e. produce, feed & bedding
- Washing/disinfecting of animal dishes and laundry
- Conduct "rounds" to ensure enclosures are secured & animals have fresh water and food
- Administer medications or treatments
- Monitor health and behavior of animals
- Construct and provide behavioral enrichment
It takes more than a love of animals. It takes a solid respect of animal boundaries and behaviors and an ability to follow directions. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma and valid driver’s license, be able to lift 25 pounds, and have a strong work ethic. Must work well on your own and be responsible, reliable, punctual, and committed. Additional hours available for the right individual. Pay is commensurate with experience. Training time is paid. Located in North Dallas, near Hwy 635/LBJ and Marsh Lane.
Learn more about us at www.zooniversity.org. Send inquiries and resume to Allison at allison@zooniversity.org.
UPDATE 11/28/2011: The position has been filled – thank you to all who interviewed for the position.
Vote for Us! Help Us Keep Our “Best of the Metroplex” Title»
You voted Zooniversity as "Best of the Metroplex" for the last two years in a row — and we’d like to keep that title for another year! A big hug and thanks to the many of you who already sent in write-in nominations to earn us a place on this year’s ballot (we knew we could count on you). But, now we need your help one more time…it’s time to vote!
If you enjoyed our wildlife programs, will you please take just a moment to go to the voting page and vote for ZOONIVERSITY in the following categories:
Party Birthday Parties: Best Entertainer
Birthday Parties: Best Themed Party
You only need to vote once — and you don’t even have to vote in all categories, just the ones that you’re interested in…or just the ones we’re in! Hurry – deadline is November 30th. Winners will be announced in December and we’d love to be on the winners list!
Why do we bother with this stuff? No, it’s not an ego feed – this kind of public recognition helps us to market our services and, in turn, we can then better support the animals that have been entrusted to our care. We sincerely thank you in advance for helping us to get the word out.
2,500 Thanks To Our 2,500 Facebook Followers!»
"You like us…you REALLY like us!" No, it’s not Sally Field’s Oscar speech, but we are equally as thrilled that more than 2,500 of our clients, our audience members, and our friends all care enough about our animals and our progress to have clicked the "Like" button on Zooniversity’s Facebook page. Wow, humbling. More than 2,500 of you now see our updates in your daily Facebook News Feed. We try hard to send you interesting posts – new rescues, animal updates, fun videos, invites so you can come see us, and links to all sorts of cool animal news from around the world. We hope you enjoy our posts. If you do, please share our page with your Facebook friends. Do you have ideas for what else you would like to see? Great, leave a comment here or post it on our Facebook page — we aim to please! Not yet an official Zooniversity fan? Then visit our Facebook page and click that "Like" button at the top of the page. Our sincere thanks and hugs to the 2,500 of you who already have. What’s next? Let’s shoot for 25,000 followers (we always did think big).
