CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

Zoo Memberships, Animal Adoptions and Other Unique Gifts for Animals & People

The Zoo has a number of great gift-giving ideas that are popular with families and nature lovers that make a world of difference to the Louisville Zoo and to endangered wildlife.

Gift Memberships

The gift of a Louisville Zoo membership offers 12 months of adventures at the  award-winning Zoo and botanical garden. Packages begin at $74 annually and offer benefits including unlimited admission and free parking during regular Zoo hours plus access to Papa John’s Splash Park and discounts on concessions, gifts, select attractions, special events, classes, camps and more.  Order online by Dec. 31 and use the code HOL16 and receive $5 off any 2017 gift membership. The first 1,200 to order receive a free plush giraffe toy. Memberships can be purchased online at louisvillezoo.org.  Offer ends Dec. 31 and prices increase Jan. 1, 2017. Order by Dec. 15 to ensure holiday delivery. Zoo memberships help the Louisville Zoo preserve and care for threatened and endangered species as well as support critical conservation education programs. For more information and to see the full list of membership levels visit our website at louisvillezoo.org or call 502-459-CATS (2287).

Animals Depend on People to Survive  – A.D.O.P.T.S.

Another option that keeps on giving is our animal adoption program called A.D.O.P.T.S.  From Addax to Zebra, all of the animals at the Louisville Zoo need care and feeding. The Louisville Zoo food budget is over half a million dollars. Nutrition and enrichment are the Louisville Zoo’s top priority and we provide the highest grades of meat, the freshest produce, hundreds of pounds of fish and seafood along with safe and engaging items for the animals to explore and interact with. Funds from the A.D.O.P.T.S. program go toward feeding and caring for all of the 1500 species at the Zoo. ADOPT at one of the following levels: $35 includes adoption certificate, name on the website and a picture/info card;  $50 all of the above plus a photo button of your animal  and $75 all of the above plus a plush animal.  Order online at louisvillezoo.org/ADOPTS or print the adoption form and mail to the Zoo per the instructions on the webpage.

Family Project for the Animals

If you are looking for a unique family project, consider visiting the local chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) enrichment tree and choosing a paw print tag for your favorite Zoo animal.  It is just like the Angel Trees you see at the mall, but you get to help the animals at the Zoo get new enrichment items.  Each tag lists an animal and a toy they would enjoy. Simply purchase the item and return it to the Zoo’s receptionist desk by Dec. 31. For a detailed list of the items visit louisvillezoo.org/enrichment_tree.

Unique Shopping

The Louisville Zoo gift shop can take guests on a wildlife adventure in one visit. Educational toys and books can help families discover together the world of animals and creatures living on our planet. The Zoo’s Main Gift Shop is located at the entrance of the Zoo and offers a great selection of authentic Fair Trade items, holiday ornaments, apparel, educational toys and books, musical instruments, jewelry and assorted plush animals. Shoppers are not required to pay admission to just shop. Louisville Zoo members always enjoy 10% off regularly-priced items. The gift shop hours are daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open Dec. 24 until 5 p.m. for last minute shopping (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Visit louisvillezoo.org/holiday for more gift ideas.

Personalized Gifts

The Zoo also offers personalized options including:

• Honor a friend, family member or special customer or client by having their names engraved on the Zoo’s Tree of Life or on a memorial bench on Zoo grounds.
• Treat someone to a Behind-the-Scenes experience starting at $250 for a small group of five per exhibit area.

To learn more about these personalized options, contact the Development Office at 502-238-5386 or visit LouisvilleZoo.org/support.

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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