Employee Spotlight: Meet Jean Marie Kelly

Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary (FEBS) is blessed to have over a dozen caring, dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented employees. We’re thankful for and proud of our staff, and always at a loss for words that fully express just how greatly we appreciate each one!

Earlier this month, we published the first in a series of articles to showcase our employees so that you, our loyal supporters and benefactors, can come to know and applaud them to the same extent we do. In this second article, with pleasure and high honor, we introduce Jean Marie Kelly to you:

A native Texan, Jean initially pursued a career in the audio/visual graphic arts field. After earning an Associate of Arts degree at Texas State Technical College, she applied her creative skills to the advertising and marketing needs of a major retail company. When a career advancement opportunity opened with a national athletics association then headquartered in Colorado Springs, Jean joined that group to continue her work as a graphics designer and audio/visual producer.

While her 10-year stint working in graphic arts was satisfying, Jean felt a growing need to pursue her first love, which was caring for animals of most any shape or size. She started down her new career path by first earning an Associate of Arts degree in zookeeping technology at Pikes Peak Community College. That was followed by a yearlong internship at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in the Colorado Springs area, where she worked extensively with birds as well as primates and other animals.

The internship led to a full-time position for Jean at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where she applied her zookeeper and animal care skills for nearly eight years. Jean was an amazing asset to the zoo, making above and beyond contributions such as (1) training students studying animal husbandry and related subjects at a local community college; (2) giving presentations to children at summer camps; (3) developing a hippo training and enrichment program for implementation at the zoo; (4) designing exhibits for amphibians and reptiles; (5) giving guided tours to visiting zookeepers and VIP guests; and (6) assisting veterinarians during routine as well as urgent care visits. Jean’s enthusiasm, skill and knowledge were recognized and put on display when she was invited to present her paper, “Hippopotamus Training for Improved Husbandry and Enrichment,” at a national meeting of the American Association of Zookeepers.

Jean returned to Texas in 2005 to focus her animal care attentions on dogs. After first working for a couple of dog grooming and daycare centers in the Dallas area, she opened her own dog grooming business in 2007, which kept her busy and happy until fate prompted her to move to Florida in the latter half of 2024.

Jean joined the FEBS team in March 2025. In addition to basic duties such as distributing food and water to our residents, she is one of our engaging tour guides. Her long experience, knowledge and skill working with birds of many different species is on display every day, and her respect and love are immediately detected and gratefully returned by all our beautiful parrot residents! Jean’s willingness to share her knowledge and undertake most any task required is deeply appreciated by management and teammates alike.

Jean still follows her original passion for art in her personal life. Somewhere along the way she added music to her life pleasures, and she now enjoys singing with her church choir as well as playing the drums. She also enjoys getting out and about to take in the natural wonders of the Nature Coast.

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce Jean Marie Kelly to you. We look forward to introducing you to another outstanding FEBS employee next month. In the meantime, please help us maintain a competitive living wage standard for our staff by making monthly, quarterly, or other periodic gifts to FEBS: (1) donate online at Donate | The Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary; or (2) mail checks to 8933 Casper Avenue, Hudson, FL 34667-3676. Our beautiful and loving feathered residents greatly appreciate your ongoing financial and moral support!