By Maggie Butler
Posted On: Apr 1, 2020
Visitors are vital to the success of any zoo. Now that all zoos are temporarily closed in Ohio, many are asking for your help so they can continue taking care of their animals and employees. Here are ways that you can support your local zoos from the safety of your own home!

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium + The Wilds
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is reopening for zoo members June 12-14 and the 15 for all guests. While waiting for reopening, consider donating to the Animal Care Fund for both the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, which allows for veterinary and nutritional care of the zoo’s 10,000 animals and the Wild’s 500 animals. Another way to support the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds is to purchase or renew your zoo membership and Wilds membership.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will be reopening June 10 for members (reservations required). Starting June 17, reservations will be available for members and those who purchase general admission tickets. Reservations, as well as other guidelines will be implemented to ensure the health and safety of guests, staff and animals. If you're not quite ready to head to the zoo, donations to the Emergency Operating Fund allow the Cincinnati Zoo to assist both their animals and team members. You can also purchase or renew your membership and buy Fiona the Hippo themed items from the zoo’s gift shop.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will reopen June 17. Purchase or renew your membership to help support the Cleveland Zoo. In the meantime, study up on the animals with the zoo’s educational resources and tune into the zoo’s virtual classroom on Facebook.
Akron Zoo
The Akron Zoo plans to open June 17. Beyond visiting, there are multiple ways you can help support the Akron Zoo, including donating to their many programs, like the Animal Fund, Conservation Fund and Roar Capital Fund. Additionally, you can purchase a “Care for a Critter” package which helps the zoo provide food, medical care, habitat maintenance and conservation programs for one year. Every sponsorship package includes a personalized certificate of sponsorship, animal fact sheet and a color photo. And don’t forget to renew or purchase your membership!
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
The Toledo Zoo plans to reopen June 12-30 for members with an online reservation. If you are not a member and would like to support the zoo, you can donate to the various programs, such as the Legacy Program and Capital Campaign. You can also give a gift to the zoo in honor of a loved one or become a Zoo PAL. This direct sponsorship goes directly to the diet, enrichment and health of your chosen animal. The zoo also offers home cooked, chef-curated meals available for order online through its Meals-on-the-Go program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. While checking out all of these resources, don’t forget to renew, purchase or upgrade your membership!
For more ways to #SupportLocalOhio, check out #OhioFindItHere at Ohio.org.