Charly Pignon graduated in 2005 from Alfort National Veterinary School (France) and wrote his veterinary thesis based on a wildlife conservation project in Cambodia. Following his studies, he worked in a wildlife rescue center in Alfort and in Paris Zoo (la Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes). In 2009 Charly Pignon completed an Exotic Medicine Internship at Tufts University and when he returned to France, he created the Exotic Medicine Service in Alfort National Veterinary School.
Charly Pignon is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Small mammals), a board member of Yaboumba (French association for continuing education in exotic and wild animals), a past president of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) and a member of the executive committee of the ECZM. His current field of research is in ear and orthopedic surgeries in small mammals, and blood transfusions in ferrets.