The Zoo has a number of great gift-giving ideas this year that are popular with families and nature lovers while making 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 enjoying wildlife and lush botanical scenery. Packages begin at $64 annually and offer benefits including unlimited free admission to the Zoo, Splash Park (seasonal) and free parking during regular Zoo hours. Members also receive discounts on concessions, gifts, select attractions, special events, classes, camps and more. Order online by Dec. 31 and use the code HOL19 to receive $5 off any gift membership. The first 1,500 to order receive a free plush elephant. Memberships can be purchased online at louisvillezoo.org/HOL19. Offer ends Dec. 31. Order by Dec. 16 for guaranteed USPS delivery by Dec. 25. 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/member or call 502-459-CATS (2287).
Animals Depend on People to Survive – ADOPTS
Support to our animal adoption program ADOPTS is another gift that keeps on giving. From addax to zebra, all the animals at the Louisville Zoo need specialized care, enrichment and nutrition. The Louisville Zoo food budget is over half a million dollars. Animal care staff prepare the highest quality meat, produce, fish and seafood as well as safe and engaging items for the animals to explore and interact with. Funds from the ADOPTS program go toward the care of over 1,000 animals at the Zoo. Gift givers can choose their level: $35 includes an adoption certificate, name on the Zoo’s website and a picture/info card; $50 includes all of the above plus a Zoo magnet and $75 includes everything from the above levels as well as a plush animal. A special holiday ADOPTS offer that debuted this winter is the $100 Mikki and Fitz package. This package includes all the above, plus a shopping bag and an elephant and calf plush. The first 100 to purchase the Mikki and Fitz package also receive a limited-edition Fitz poster. Order online at louisvillezoo.org/support/animal-adoptions/ 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, take part in the local chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) Enrichment Tree. 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 with your donation! Visit the Zoo’s main plaza and choose a paw print tag for your favorite Zoo animal. Each tag lists a dollar amount varying from $5 to $100 so everyone can participate. Guests can take their chosen tag into the gift shop to make a donation. Families can also purchase a gift outright by visiting louisvillezoo.org/tree to see a list of needed items. If purchasing an item, be sure to drop it off to the Zoo receptionist by Dec. 31, 2019.
Unique Shopping
CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331 | Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov
The Louisville Zoo gift shop can take guests on a wildlife adventure in one visit. Educational toys and books can help families discover 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 holiday ornaments, apparel, educational toys and books, musical instruments, jewelry and a large selection of assorted plush animals. Shoppers are not required to pay admission just to shop. Louisville Zoo members always enjoy 10 percent off regularly priced items. The gift shop hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including Dec. 24 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 gift options:
- Honor a friend, family member, special customer or client by having their names engraved on a brick in the Etscorn Garden or a beautiful memorial bench on Zoo grounds.
- Treat someone to a behind-the-scenes experience starting at $250 per exhibit area for a group of five.
To learn more about these personalized options, contact the Development Office at (502) 238-5386 or visit louisvillezoo.org/support.
Winter Break and Summer Camps
Don’t forget the Zoo hosts the wildest camps in town. Winter Break camps are Jan. 2,3 and 6, 2020 and include Zoo walks, animal presentations, attraction rides and up-close encounters with Zoo animal ambassadors. Summer camps begin in June 2020. For a full list including schedules and prices, visit louisvillezoo.org/education.
Gift cards
Gift recipients can also choose their own adventure with a Louisville Zoo gift card available at the Zoo cashier windows in amounts from $5 to $150 and valid for 12 months after activation. A great gift idea that can be used on admission, rides and attractions, gift shop purchases or even a Zoo membership. E-gift cards can be purchased online at louisvillezoo.org/giftcard.
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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 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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