Social Distancing Friendly Support

In these uniquely uncertain times, the Utica Zoo needs your help now more than ever. We have set up our Emergency Fund to help our animal care team continue to provide the same top-level care to our animals that they regularly receive. Additionally, we have put together a variety of ways you can help support the Utica Zoo while we are temporarily closed. Thank you in advance for your support; we greatly appreciate you!

Click on any of the headings to learn more:

Adopt an Animal

Symbolically adopting an animal is a great way to help fund our animal’s needs. This includes food, enrichment, veterinary care, exhibit upgrades, or anything else they may need. We offer numerous levels of adoption to choose from.

New options for digital adoptions coming soon!

Become a Utica Zoo Member

Utica Zoo members receive free admission to the Utica Zoo, free or discounted admission to Zoos, Aquariums, and Nature Centers throughout the US and Canada, discounts in the UZ Gift Shop, discounts on tickets to signature events including Wine in the Wilderness, Brewfest, and more, discounts on education programs, access to member-only events, and lots more. Memberships start at $40 and each level carries its own unique additions. All membership levels are valid for one year, with the exception of Lifetime memberships.

Be an Animal Hero

Utica Zoo Animal Heroes answer the call of duty to provide impactful support to the animals of the Utica Zoo on a monthly basis. When you become an Animal Hero, your monthly symbolic adoption support will help provide food, enrichment, veterinary care, exhibit upgrades, or anything else our animals may need throughout the year. Every individual Utica Zoo animal is available to be symbolically adopted and Animal Hero status is an incredible gift that continues to give throughout the year.

Shop in the Digital Gift Shop

You may not be able to visit the Gift Shop in person, but our friends at Max’s Print Shop have helped us bring some of our items online. A variety of Utica Zoo, Uti-kaZoo Kid’s Academy, “Social Distancing Champ” apparel, and more!

Thank you for your interest in being part of the Utica Zoo in our mission to create unique experiences and promote a public appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Many people think the only way to support the Utica Zoo is with a financial gift. While this is one of the ways to help, we also have numerous ways you can support our work that cost nothing but time. We hope you will find a method of support that works best for you.

Click on any of the headings below to learn more about that support option.

Make a Donation

There are numerous ways to donate to the Utica Zoo:

You can make a direct donation to the General Operations Fund which helps the Utica Zoo with our operational costs. Did you know it costs approximately $4000 per day to operate the Utica Zoo? That includes animal care, utilities, payroll and insurance, maintenance, or anything else needed. This is an especially difficult task during the winter months when our expenses outweigh our revenue.
Support the Excitement is Building campaign to help us build our primates a new home. We unveiled our Outdoor Living Rainforest White-handed Gibbon exhibit in November 2018, but we still have lots of work to do to complete the interior exhibit spaces, as well as provide a new outdoor space for our Mexican Spider Monkeys.
Support the Animal Care Fund specifically for the needs and care of our animals. Includes food, enrichment, bedding, veterinary care, or anything our animals may need.
Contact Development Coordinator at heather@uticazoo.org to learn about the numerous other donation options.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to be part of the action at the Utica Zoo while providing a valuable service to our Zoo. We always have lots of projects and maintenance going on, and we welcome volunteers of all ability levels. We are always in search of special event volunteers, administrative volunteers, animal care volunteers, grounds and maintenance volunteers, Zoo Ambassadors, Docents, Zoo Crew, as well as volunteer groups.

Adopt an Animal

Plus, we also offer Utica Zoo Adoption Boxes that make great gifts! Boxes include an animal plush, adoption certificate, and a photo of your adopted animal all included in a great gift box!

Become a Utica Zoo Member

Be an Animal Hero

Bring Your Kids to an Education Program

Did you know the Utica Zoo has been chartered by the New York State Education Department since 1965? Our education department offers a wide array of educational programs and camps throughout the year. Bring your toddlers to a Hatchlings class or your pre-schooler to a Zoo Adventures STEM Academy. We offer school break camps during mid-winter recess and spring break, as well as summer camps. Plus, we have a great Home School program!

Have a Birthday Party at the Zoo

Not only does our education department form young minds, but also offers birthday parties! Have your child’s birthday party at the Zoo and be the talk of all their friends while they enjoy animal presentations or a guided exploration to an exhibit of their choice. Take the stress out of your child’s party and let us handle it!

Rent the Pavilion

Not only can you have your child’s birthday party at the Zoo, but you can also rent one of our pavilions for your family or corporate event! Weddings, meetings, employee appreciation days, you name it! Our Rotary, Eagle View, and Zebra View Pavilions are perfect for large or small groups and provide a unique backdrop for any event. Our team can work with you to make your event absolutely perfect!

Shop in the Gift Shop

Our gift shop is a great destination for a gift for the animal lover in your life. Utica Zoo merchandise, photos, toys, animal adoption boxes(see above), and tons more. The Utica Zoo and gift shop are open 363 days a year from 10a-4p.

Attend an Event

The Utica Zoo holds many events throughout the year geared towards kids and adults alike. Not only do these events bring hundreds of people to the Zoo, but also are a huge part of our revenue for the year. Attending events is a great way to be part of everything that the Utica Zoo is doing!

Book an Animal Encounter

Your opportunity to meet one of our animals up close and personal. Animal encounters are available for African Lions, Bactrian Camels, Red Pandas, California Sea Lions, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, and our Ambassador Animals. Learn more about our animals from one of our Zoo Keepers and develop a unique memory with family or friends.

Come for a Visit and Bring Your Friends

The absolute first way you can be part of the Utica Zoo is to be here! Since 1914, the Utica Zoo has been a staple of the community. Starting with 3 Fallow Deer on land donated by Thomas Proctor, the Utica Zoo has grown to become a top tourism destination in Oneida County, welcoming 51% of our annual visitors from outside the county. Often, people forget about the quality of life gem that is the Utica Zoo nestled in their own backyard. It is very uncommon for a city the size of Utica to have an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited Zoo, so we invite you, your friends, and your family to visit the Utica Zoo. A great place for kids, a great place for a lunchtime walk, a great place for a unique date, a great place for wintertime fun, or a great place to disconnect from the digital world.

Book a ZooMobile

If you can’t come to us, we are going to come to you! The Utica ZooMobile brings the animals and insight of the Education Department to your doorstep. We offer numerous programs with a wide variety of animals and can also custom tailor a program to your needs. Great for birthday parties, a unique classroom addition, or event entertainment for the kids.

If you have any questions about these, or any other Utica Zoo topic, please e-mail Marketing Coordinator Mark Simon at mark.simon@uticazoo.org or 315-738-0472 Ext. 49. Thank you for supporting the Utica Zoo and we hope to see you soon!

We’re Open!

Be Part of the Utica Zoo

Social Distancing Friendly Support