Adopt an Animal

Dave Parsons, Denver Zoo

Adopting an animal at one of AZA's accredited zoos and aquariums is both rewarding and fun. Your "adoption fee" will help us take care of the animals — everything from building new exhibits to buying food. With more than 700,000 individual animals to care for, AZA's accredited zoos and aquariums have lots of mouths to feed!

In addition to helping to pay the food bill, your contribution to Adopt-an-Animal programs will support many other crucial needs, like animal enrichment and participation in the Species Survival Plan® Program, which helps the survival of endangered and threatened species around the world.

Can you take the animals home with you?

No, but trust us, you wouldn't want to! Your adopted animal will stay at the zoo or aquarium under the expert care of keepers and aquarists. That's important, because Wild Animals Do Not Make Good Pets!

How does it work?

Adopt-an-Animal programs vary, but usually you will receive:

a personalized Adoption Certificate
updates on your animal and events at your zoo or aquarium
a tax receipt for the deductible donation
the satisfaction of knowing you are helping support the wonderful wildlife at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums

How to adopt

By adopting an animal, you share your love for animals by helping us to provide the best possible care for them. If you are interested in adopting, contact the AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium nearest you.