Shoes matter!

Shoes.

An important part of any animal care professional’s tool kit is their shoes, and this is a subject that you are likely to see some of the most opinions on, well, outside of which type of work lunch is best (the correct answer to that is: free).

To take the best care of their animals, care team members are needed to work in a large variety of environments, often in a single day: from the dry, sandy space of desert biome habitats, to the gravel-laden, sloped substrates of some aviaries, and to the sock-soaking, muddy terrain of wallow pits. Keepers also must travel to all these locations, commonly walking miles a day, the speed of which is only below that of a power walk, often termed a “zookeeper walk” or “pace.”

Being in the zoological/aquarium field for over a decade, I’ve had the opportunity to try lots of different types of shoes, and here are some of the tips I would recommend for any aspiring animal care professional.

Keep it light.

You might think getting the heavier duty shoe will keep together longer or the steel toe might protect better but it will only slow you down. You will be dreading the walk to your car at the end of the day when you’ve already walked five miles, relocated 20 hay bales, and climbed three flights of steps four times to feed your animals. You might need a strong boot for some tasks, but always have the light shoe close by to change back into.

Water will happen.

We need to work in the rain, around hoses, pools, and more to provide the highest amount of welfare for the animals. Which means you WILL get wet. Waterproof shoes will help to slow the process, but also remember when that pond you’re power washing leaks into your shoes that the water proofing does just as well keeping water in the shoe as it does keeping water out; maybe the tip should be “Bring multiple pairs of socks.”

Quality doesn’t always translate to durability.

You can drop some serious money to get top of the line hiking shoes from multiple different brands, but a more accurate factor dictating how long a shoe lasts is more likely the type of animals you care for rather than the quality of an expensive shoe. I’ve had $30 supermarket discount shoes last me just as long as some $150 outdoor-brand hiking shoes working with birds.

Quality can affect body longevity.

To contrast the point I just made: With such a physical job, you need to take care of your body, which can easily start with using shoes that will support your feet; the $30 pair example earlier? They needed additional arch support and cushioning to function well. This is a lesson I’m reminded of every time I hear my joints pop when picking up an animal kennel.

Have fun with your footwear!

Most zoos have some guidelines about the need for closed-toed active style shoes (I have to leave my heels at home unfortunately), but very few will dictate the color or style of the shoe. Yes, the colorful shoe will only stay colorful for a short while before getting dirty and worn, but during that time it’s one way to express yourself; and most shoes do okay in the wash anyway.

These days I have found I am most comfortable wearing running shoes, my current set: once bright blue and yellow athletic sneakers that together I think weigh less than one of the macaws I take care of. They are not waterproof even slightly, but what I pay for in wet socks, I gain in energy to engaging with guests every day, showing how incredible the living creatures I serve are and how these animals and the people of the world can flourish together.

Sean M.
Lead Keeper, Ambassador Animals