Increase zookeeper wages at Cameron Park Zoo to $20/hour
Increase zookeeper wages at Cameron Park Zoo to $20/hour
The Issue
To the Waco City Council, City Manager’s Office, and Human Resources Department:
Cameron Park Zoo is one of Waco’s most cherished community treasures. It provides education, conservation, and unforgettable experiences for families across Central Texas. Yet the dedicated professionals who care for the zoo’s animals—its zookeepers—are some of the most underpaid workers in the region.
As members of the Waco community, we respectfully ask the City of Waco to increase the starting wage for zookeepers to $20/hour beginning in FY2026.
Zookeepers are responsible for the daily care, feeding, enrichment, behavioral management, veterinary support, and safety of hundreds of animals. Their work requires specialized training, degrees, certifications, physical stamina, and the ability to respond during emergencies. Despite all of this, starting wages at Cameron Park Zoo remain below both regional and national averages.
Why this raise is necessary:
Competitive wages: Many AZA-accredited zoos in Texas and across the U.S. now offer $18–$22/hour starting pay.
Improved retention: Higher wages reduce turnover, which protects animal welfare and staff safety.
Protecting Waco’s investment: The zoo is a major tourism asset; fully staffed animal care teams are essential for visitor safety and exhibit quality.
Rising cost of living: Waco’s housing and utility costs have outpaced current pay levels, making it difficult for keepers to remain in the profession.
Animal welfare: Experienced keepers provide higher-quality husbandry, training, observation, and enrichment.
Cameron Park Zoo succeeds because of the skill, heart, and dedication of its keeper staff. Raising the starting wage to $20/hour is a fair, reasonable, and necessary step to support the people who ensure the animals receive world-class care.
We love our zoo. We support the staff who make it possible. And we want Cameron Park Zoo to remain a leader in Texas animal care.
We ask the City of Waco to take action and implement this wage increase in the upcoming fiscal cycle.
Signed,
Concerned Members of the Waco Community
127
The Issue
To the Waco City Council, City Manager’s Office, and Human Resources Department:
Cameron Park Zoo is one of Waco’s most cherished community treasures. It provides education, conservation, and unforgettable experiences for families across Central Texas. Yet the dedicated professionals who care for the zoo’s animals—its zookeepers—are some of the most underpaid workers in the region.
As members of the Waco community, we respectfully ask the City of Waco to increase the starting wage for zookeepers to $20/hour beginning in FY2026.
Zookeepers are responsible for the daily care, feeding, enrichment, behavioral management, veterinary support, and safety of hundreds of animals. Their work requires specialized training, degrees, certifications, physical stamina, and the ability to respond during emergencies. Despite all of this, starting wages at Cameron Park Zoo remain below both regional and national averages.
Why this raise is necessary:
Competitive wages: Many AZA-accredited zoos in Texas and across the U.S. now offer $18–$22/hour starting pay.
Improved retention: Higher wages reduce turnover, which protects animal welfare and staff safety.
Protecting Waco’s investment: The zoo is a major tourism asset; fully staffed animal care teams are essential for visitor safety and exhibit quality.
Rising cost of living: Waco’s housing and utility costs have outpaced current pay levels, making it difficult for keepers to remain in the profession.
Animal welfare: Experienced keepers provide higher-quality husbandry, training, observation, and enrichment.
Cameron Park Zoo succeeds because of the skill, heart, and dedication of its keeper staff. Raising the starting wage to $20/hour is a fair, reasonable, and necessary step to support the people who ensure the animals receive world-class care.
We love our zoo. We support the staff who make it possible. And we want Cameron Park Zoo to remain a leader in Texas animal care.
We ask the City of Waco to take action and implement this wage increase in the upcoming fiscal cycle.
Signed,
Concerned Members of the Waco Community
127
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on November 15, 2025