How to Adopt a Zoo Animal

By eHow Pets Editor

Adopt a Zoo Animal

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Zoo adoption programs allow sponsors to pay for animals' care and feeding.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Yellow Pages
Telephones
Videos On Zoo Animals
zoo tickets

Step1

Contact your local zoo to see if it sponsors an adoption or foster feeder program.

Step2

Ask about adoption fees. They range from $20 to $5,000, depending on the animal you choose.

Step3

Ask about adoption privileges - from certificates and T-shirts to visits with your adopted animal.

Step4

Choose the zoo animal you wish to adopt. The price of adoption often goes up with the size of the animal.

Step5

Fill out an application to adopt an animal. Mail it or bring it to the zoo with your check.

Step6

Go visit your zoo animal and have fun.

Tips & Warnings

Most animal adoptions are in effect for one year. Renew your adoption and pay the fee annually.
Zoo adoptions do not involve taking an animal home, so make sure your kids don't get the wrong idea about adopting an elephant.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 2/7/2006 I recently adopted a penguin from my local zoo. My mom actually did, it was for my birthday in September. I went to see it (I named him Draco, not from harry potter) and actually got to go into the exhibit! I fed Draco fish and my mom and the other visitors got to see me through the glass. I am going to donate yearly what I can afford. Draco is doing well and i am planning to see him in March. I recommend adopting an animal from the zoo because you can disown it at any time (although I'm not going to), so you aren't obligated to keep paying for your animal for the rest of its (or your) life.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I've been a member of my local zoo for about 3 years now, and it's absolutely wonderful. At first it seems like it may be a lot of money, but if you go a few times a year, it's definitely worth it in the end. I receive all kinds of Zoo Animal Adoption letters through my membership. You don't necessarily need to adopt the animal they send you a letter about, either. If you decide you want to adopt a baboon instead of a hippopotamus, you can usually use the same form, just specify what you want. The amount of the donation ranges for each adoption, but not on the type of animal. Generally, there's a basic adoption fee, and a larger adoption fee (which includes the note that states you can donate more than what's asked). The more you donate, the more Thank-You gifts they'll send you, too (like toys, plush animals of your adopted animal, t-shirts, or even your name on the zoo's grounds, recognizing your contribution). It's something that makes you feel good when you go to the zoo with friends and can show that you're a part of it.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Lots of zoos have educational programs for children, and some allow children to help care for the animals. This is an excellent way for kids who love animals to receive hands-on experience as well as training by experts.

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