TAYLOR RUTTER
St. Clairsville
Summary
Passionate zookeeper with extensive experience in providing exceptional care to a diverse range of species in AZA-accredited facilities, specializing in large carnivores. Experience in animal husbandry, habitat maintenance, behavioral and health monitoring, diet preparation, and enrichment with a strong commitment to animal welfare and conservation. Experience includes animal husbandry, habitat maintenance, behavioral and health monitoring, diet preparation, and enrichment. Known to be reliable, a team player, and being able to adapt during change.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Seasonal Animal Care
Louisville Zoo
Louisville, KY
03.2026 - Current
- Perform daily animal husbandry that includes cleaning and maintaining indoor and outdoor exhibits, distribute diets, and provide enrichment.
- Care for wallabies, koalas, red pandas, snow leopards, and Amur tigers
- Observe operant-conditioning training
- Observe veterinary procedures and immobilization
- Deliver daily educational keeper talks to large groups
- Observe animal behaviors and report any concerns
- Work with adult and teen volunteers, giving directions and educating them on the species and our roles as keepers
Sales Associate (Part Time)
Bath and Body Works
St. Clairsville, OH
08.2025 - 10.2025
- Provided friendly customer service through effective assistance with sales, returns and exchanges, and customer engagement.
- Worked with team members to maintain store cleanliness.
- Restocked shelves to maintain product availability and clean presentation.
Animal Care Intern (Paid)
Wilderness Wildlife Center
Bulger, PA
05.2024 - 10.2024
- Conducted daily animal husbandry tasks such as cleaning enclosures, monitoring habitats, providing enrichment and preparing and distributing diets.
- Contributed to the welfare of carnivores and hoof stock species
- Worked part of the hoofstock section independently.
- Observed animal training through observing husbandry techniques and participating in operant conditioning.
- Observed veterinary procedures and immobilization.
- Maintained detailed animal care records and evaluated enrichment activities.
Cheetah and Carnivore Care Intern
Wildlife Safari
Winston, OR
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Worked with carnivores including African Lions, Cheetahs, Sumatran Tigers, Brown and Black Bears, and Red Wolves.
- Participated in daily animal husbandry including cleaning and maintaining enclosures, indoor holding areas, and keeper areas.
- Monitoring of habitats and animal behaviors
- Preparation and distribution of diets
- Created and implemented enrichment
- Helped with daily health checks.
- Gave keeper talks on encounters and education tours
- Observed positive reinforcement training as well as participated in training once cleared.
- Trained lion and tigers once cleared, as well would do training with cheetah ambassadors at times under supervision.
- Worked with ambassador cheetahs as well as breeding program cheetahs in a free contact setting.
- Would be the person on the second leash for during cheetah encounters and walks
- Helped with hand rearing and target training of cheetah cubs.
Animal Care Intern
Oglebay Good Zoo
Wheeling, WV
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Ensured high standards of animal care by maintaining clean enclosures and optimal habitats.
- Prepared appropriate diets for various species
- Developed enrichment to stimulate natural behaviors and enhance animal welfare.
- Engaged with visitors through an educational tours that helped create an understanding of enrichment.
- Helped with zoo maintenance tasks to help keep a clean and welcoming environment.
Animal Care Intern
Oglebay Good Zoo
Wheeling, WV
06.2020 - 10.2020
- Ensured high standards of animal care by maintaining clean enclosures and optimal habitats.
- Prepared appropriate diets for various species
- Developed enrichment to stimulate natural behaviors and enhance animal welfare.
- Engaged with visitors through an educational tours that helped create an understanding of enrichment.
- Helped with zoo maintenance tasks to help keep a clean and welcoming environment.
Education
Bachelors of Science - Zoo Science and Applied Conservation
West Liberty University
West Liberty05.2022
High School Diploma -
Union Local High School
Morristown05.2018
Skills
- Fast Learner
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Time Management
- Maintaining detailed care records
- Friendly and positive attitude
- Customer service
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Dependable and responsible
- Flexible and adaptable
Timeline
Seasonal Animal Care
Louisville Zoo
03.2026 - Current
Sales Associate (Part Time)
Bath and Body Works
08.2025 - 10.2025
Animal Care Intern (Paid)
Wilderness Wildlife Center
05.2024 - 10.2024
Cheetah and Carnivore Care Intern
Wildlife Safari
06.2023 - 08.2023
Animal Care Intern
Oglebay Good Zoo
06.2021 - 08.2021
Animal Care Intern
Oglebay Good Zoo
06.2020 - 10.2020
Bachelors of Science - Zoo Science and Applied Conservation
West Liberty University
High School Diploma -
Union Local High School