Oh yes, I can understand why it would have a major impact on a large 'public' zoo. Like I said I've worked for museums most of my life and at least in the way they operate, both being primarily non-profit educational institutions, zoo's and museums are very similar. I understand where it would be major help for loans, aquisitions and most important for your developement offices with fundraising and obtaining grants. I just wasn't sure if it would benefit a small to mid sized operation, sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth. I read through AZA's guidlines and they just don't seem relevant at all, like you mentioned they are primarilly targeted at very large institutions that specialize in mamals. ZAOA at least recognizes that there are non-public facilities that specialize in breeding/propogation programs and not so much serving the public with exhibits. Are there any out there that are geared more towards our type of business. I guess maybe I've been institutionalized after so many years but the idea of some kind of accreditation/certifacation does have an appeal to me. I've really been tossing around the idea for about the last year. What prompted it was a guy that came to town and opened up a snake 'zoo', according to him he has the only zoo license in Wyoming. Personally I thought the guy was a little nuts for trying to do it here and I wasn't sure exactly how he was calling himself a zoo when I've got more specimens in my living room let alone the snake rooms. Anyway, the city council and those people practically fell all over themselve trying to kiss this guys butt because he was 'accredited' (although I'm not sure through who), I sure as hell have never got that treament from them lol. I didn't hold it against the guy and even offered to try to help him start up a breeding program basically to find out that I'm one of those evil people that capatilize on mutations (ex. I see no reason to take up the same space with a $5 snake vs. a $5,000 snake and I actually make a pretty decent second income off of my animals instead of solely relying on joe blow redneck to come in and look around to support me). A year later and I'm still here, guess who's not. It just kind of gets to me that a piece of paper did that much for him. This is getting kind of off subject though and turning into a rant so I'll stop now. Thanks for the input and if anyone else has any keep it coming.

Thanks
Sean
Associate Director of Photography
Buffalo Bill Historical Center

Owner - HMFIC
Heart Mountain Herps

(hey everyone else was putting their fancy titles in so I figured I would too lol) Thanks guys.
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Heart Mountain Herps

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